Conservancy invites community to RedSnook Kickoff Party Nov. 2

NAPLES, Fla. - Oct. 22, 2018 - PRLog -- The Conservancy of Southwest Florida invites the community to support its clean water efforts during a Friday Night Kickoff Party to commence its 25^th annual RedSnook Catch and Release Charity Tournament in early November.

Featuring local craft beer from Naples Beach Brewery, wine, a fun food truck party, live auction and prize drawings, the Kickoff Party will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2 at the Conservancy Nature Center, 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples. The Friday event is part of the Conservancy's three-day fundraising fishing tournament Nov. 2-4, but you don't have to fish to enjoy the party. Friday-only tickets are $50 per person, which include food and beverages. RSVP by calling 239-403-4200.

Toxic algae and red tide plaguing Southwest Florida beaches have served as poignant reminders that without clean water, recreational fishing would be a thing of the past. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and its 25^th annual RedSnook Catch and Release Charity Tournament are committed to keeping local waters clean and fish abundant.

"We are proud to celebrate 25 years of bringing the conservation and angling communities together to raise awareness and funding for clean, safe water," said Rob Moher, Conservancy of Southwest Florida president and CEO. "Given the current water crisis, this issue is more important than ever. Our annual RedSnook Catch and Release Charity Tournament provides a fun way to get involved and protect our most precious natural resource, water."

Clean water is essential to the Southwest Florida ecosystem, and a lack of this commodity will threaten the region's economy, fisheries, sea turtles, wading birds and other wildlife. That's why the Conservancy has dedicated its RedSnook fishing tournament to protecting this valuable resource.

"As an environmentalist and fisherman, I am proud to help support the Conservancy's clean water efforts," said Henley Shotwell, event co-chair. "We must come together as a community if we are going to fight this water crisis."

Throughout the years, this tournament has supported the Conservancy's commitment to water quality protection and local fisheries. Tournament proceeds help the Conservancy:

·         Continue its 35-year Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection program, which has given more than 285,000 hatchlings a chance at survival;

·         Advocate to restore natural water flows and minimize pollution;

·         Work with local leaders and decision-makers to understand the importance of clean water and its impact on Southwest Florida's overall economy and quality of life;

·         Evaluate the health of more than 17,000 area mangroves each year;

·         Support the production and distribution of the Estuaries Report Card to evaluate the condition of local waterways;

·         Protect environmental landmarks such as Ten Thousand Islands, Big Cypress, Estero Bay, the Cocohatchee Slough and the Caloosahatchee River.

"The supply of clean water is crucial to the condition of Southwest Florida's ecosystem and to the abundance of its wildlife, and it is up to our community to support organizations like the Conservancy that are working to preserve this valuable resource," said Mokey Shea, event co-chair. "I am excited to be involved in this year's tournament and join the community in supporting such a noteworthy cause."

Following the Friday Night Kickoff Party on Nov. 2, RedSnook continues with two full days of fishing, launching from Naples, Goodland and Everglades City, and will conclude Sunday evening with an awards reception.

The RedSnook Catch and Release Charity Tournament is presented by The Beacon Group at Morgan Stanley. Supporting sponsors include RGM Capital, Jay Tompkins Family, Costa, Clifton Larson Allen, Naples Beach Brewery, Florida Weekly, Longhorn Steakhouse, Northern Trust, Century Link, Gallagher Lutgert Insurance and The Lutgert Companies, Collins Vision, Sticky Holsters, Bond, Schoeneck & King, Harrison Designs and Newbury North Associates. Florida Weekly is the event media sponsor.

To learn more about the Conservancy's water quality work, or to RSVP for the Friday Night Kickoff Party or fishing tournament, call 239-403-4200 or visit www.conservancy.org/redsnook.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida:
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a not-for-profit environmental protection organization with a 50-year history focused on the issues impacting the water, land wildlife and future of Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The Conservancy accomplishes this mission through the combined efforts of its experts in the areas of environmental science, policy, education and wildlife rehabilitation. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, world-class Nature Center and von Arx Wildlife Hospital are headquartered in Naples, Florida, 1495 Smith Preserve Way, south of the Naples Zoo off Goodlette-Frank Road. Learn more about the Conservancy's work and how to support the quality of life in Southwest Florida www.conservancy.org.