Spring 2012 43 12INSIDE

Magic Under the Mangroves Generates Record Numbers!

Join us for the 2012 Dining for Wildlife Event.

Meet the New Chairman of the Board.

D E D I C A T E D T O A L L T H O S E W H O C A R E A B O U T P R O T E C T I N G O U R Q U A L I T Y O F L I F E .

UpdateARE YOU OPEN YET?

Check our website to find the latest information on opening! Phase one of the opening will be member sneak previews. Members can enjoy electric boat rides departing from the new Allyn Family Docks and Gazebo, view our new juvenile loggerhead sea turtle in the Nature Zone and pick up some great items in the Nature Store. Other openings will be phased in throughout 2012 and early 2013. Please check conservancy.org for opening information.

The new Nature Center is just one aspect of the “Saving Southwest Florida” campaign. Inside this issue you will see the important work conducted by the Conservancy to tackle issues impacting our water, land and wildlife. These efforts will protect our quality of life for generations to come – an important return on your investment!

Witnessing the challenges and the influx of thousands of injured wildlife crammed into outdated quarters originally built to treat 600-800 animals, Sharon and Dolph von Arx, and other donors to the “Saving Southwest Florida” capital campaign, came to the rescue. Past chairman of the Conservancy board, Dolph and his wife Sharon provided the lead gift to fund the von Arx Wildlife Hospital.

The new 5,000-square-foot facility will include separate recovery areas for mammals, reptiles and birds, an animal nursery, and new operating and X-ray rooms. The hospital will also feature the Sapakie Classroom, where guests can attend special wildlife programs and watch behind-the-scenes treatment via closed circuit television.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida leaders, donors, volunteers and state, city and local officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in April.

“Dolph and I were compelled to establish the new Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy because the organization both treats animals and educates the community about the importance of protecting wildlife,” said Sharon von Arx. “This new hospital will provide the Conservancy staff and volunteers the space and the resources to enhance the care for native wildlife.”

Other major donors helping to fund the new Hospital include C.F. Moore Foundation, Susan L. Regenstein and Barry Frank, the Sapakie Family, Sue and Fred Schulte, Lety and Stephen Schwartz, Shirley B. Schwindt, Ray and Lynn Slabaugh, Deki Stephenson, and Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Yawney. Many other donors provided additional support. Johnson Controls is providing a “smart energy system” and Arthrex announced that it will partner with the Conservancy by providing surgical products. The total cost of the new energy-efficient hospital is $2.1 million.

To the Rescuevon Arx Wildlife Hospital ribbon cutting.

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New Nature Center entrance, Smith Preserve Way, will open later in 2012.

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Dear Friends,

As I watch the construction team hard at work around the Conservancy Nature Center, some amazing things are happening!

Interactive exhibits are being assembled in our new Dalton Discovery Center. Recovery spaces are being installed in our new von Arx Wildlife Hospital. The new Allyn Family docks and gazebo at our lagoon are nearly complete - soon our electric boats and kayaks will be available for outings on the Gordon River.

We will be phasing in different openings throughout 2012 and will keep our members and the public aware of this information via our website – www.conservancy.org – and e-newsletters.

Your support to the successful Saving Southwest Florida campaign is about much more than new buildings and renovations. This campaign provides resources for scientists to research the critical environmental issues affecting the entire region. It provides support for our core programs – Science, Policy, Wildlife and Education – by strengthening our endowment. It has also allowed us to purchase the land needed for a new entrance to the Conservancy Nature Center, Smith Preserve Way. This created a protected habitat for a large population of gopher tortois-es and will provide a connection to Gordon River Greenway Park.

Please read through this newsletter - you will gain a greater under-standing of the impact of your campaign gifts, memberships and annual support. Your generosity has strengthened our resolve and commitment to protecting our home in beautiful southwest Florida.

Two examples of the work your gifts support include successfully resolving several growth management and water quality issues detailed within this newsletter.

After many years of litigation, we have reached a settlement with the Mirasol developer in north Naples. Working in tandem with Audubon and other groups, we successfully reduced the size of this development and minimized its wetlands impact. One never wants to litigate, but this is what it sometimes takes to reach a reasonable compromise.

Second, while most states have seen the number of polluted waterways decrease over the years, Florida has gone the other way. Rather than taking action, the state has asked EPA to let them change the Impaired Waters Rule and simply declare many of these waters to be clean, even if they aren’t. The Conservancy helped Florida Clean Water Network appeal the Rule and compel the EPA to give it rigorous oversight.

The successful campaign is just the beginning. Your ongoing support will be needed to continue these efforts. After all, while the Nature Center may be temporarily closed, the work goes on, whether in the Wildlife Clinic, the science labs, the classroom or the court room.

Best,

Andrew McElwaine

Message from the President

Update is published by the Conservancy Marketing and Communications team.

Marketing Director & Editor Barbara J. Wilson

Graphic Designer Kate Kintz

Photography

We welcome comments and suggestions from readers and ideas for future issues.

Please send feedback to info@conservancy.org or mail your input:

Conservancy of Southwest Florida1450 Merrihue Drive, Naples, FL 34102

INFORMATION Conservancy Information

239.262.0304von Arx Wildlife Hospital

239.262.CARE (2273)Membership Information

239.403.4207Volunteer Information

239.403.4212

www.conservancy.org

DIRECTORS

Chairman Robert L. HeidrickVice Chairman Andrew D.W. Hill

President & CEO Andrew McElwaine

Treasurer George Gibson

Secretary Sue Dalton

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dawn AllynDennis C. BrownJoseph R. CattiTed CorbinPaul CorddryJohn D. FumagalliThomas R. Gibson John HallLois KelleyKenneth KrierLisa Merritt

Jane PearsallPatsy SchroederLynne ShotwellLynn Slabaugh Jeannie M. SmithAnne Drackett ThomasJay TompkinsTucker TylerNancy G. WhiteGene Windfeldt Ian Wright

Andrew McElwaine

Annual Meeting with Fabien Cousteau

More than 700 members attended the Conservancy of Southwest Florida annual meeting in January sponsored by PNC. The keynote speaker was Fabien Cousteau, envi-ronmental activist and grandson of ocean explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau.

Outgoing board members Edie Andrew, Jenny Cheng, Eva Sugden Gomez, Maureen Lerner, and Kermit Sutton were presented with service awards from Conservancy Chair Dolph von Arx and Conservancy President Andrew McElwaine.

Co-Director of Environmental Science Dave Addison received a retirement award and Nick Batos, former Chairman of The Brooks Concerned Citizens, received a leadership award for mobilizing the community to protect critical wet-lands from development. McElwaine quoted Yogi Berra as he presented

outgoing Chair Dolph von Arx with an autographed Yogi Berra baseball.

“Yogi said ‘when you come to a fork in the road, take it.’ Throughout Dolph’s tenure, when it came to a fork in the road, he kept the des-tination in focus and led the way to exceed our highest goals,” said McElwaine.

P R E S I D E N T S O F F I C E

New chair and board members elected. Outgoing board members honored.

(L) Christian Davis, Therese Plaspohl, Fabien, Bob Saltarelli, Scott Hudson, Nicholas Ayotte (R) Outgoing board members Maureen Lerner, Kermit Sutton, Jennie Cheng and Edie Andrew. (Eva Sugden Gomez not in photo)

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MEET THE NEW CHAIRMAN:Bob Heidrick

After owning his own execu-tive recruiting firm for more than 20 years, and spend-ing 33 years in the industry, Bob Heidrick ultimately retired from internation-ally known Spencer Stuart as Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Spencer Stuart’s Global Industrial Practice. While there, he dedicated more than half of his time to conducting assignments for the firm’s Board Services Practice.

Bob received the 2007 McGinley Award, given annually by Spencer Stuart to the partner who exemplified the firm’s spirit of delivering the highest level of service. In 2006, the world-wide Association of Executive Search Consultants named Bob the recipient of the Eleanor H. Reynolds Award, recognizing excellence in executive search with a strong commitment to volunteerism.

Bob is also Vice Chairman of the Board at Rush University Medical Center and at the Glenwood School for Boys & Girls, both in Chicago. He cur-rently chairs or has chaired the Nominating and Governance Committee for all three. Bob is also on the Board of the Forum Club of Southwest Florida.

Bob and his wife, Raynelle, have been living in Naples since 1995. They have three adult chil-dren and two recently born twin grandsons.

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Ralph Arwood Jim Bigelow

Gordon Campbell Dennis Goodman

Board Members ElectedJane Pearsall and Jay Tompkins were elected to the Conservancy Board, joining Dennis C. Brown, Anne Drackett Thomas and Nancy White, who were added to the Board in summer 2011.

Fabien Cousteau and Nick Batos

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M A G I C U N D E R T H E M A N G R O V E S E X C U R S I O N S

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Magic Generates Record $750,000

Good Fortune II Christening Ceremony

As guests arrived at Keewaydin Island to the Magic Under the Mangroves™ Patron Party celebra-tion, an unexpected “guest” dropped in – a brown pelican!

Dave Addison, Conservancy of Southwest Florida biologist, spot-ted the distressed pelican and investigated further, discovering that fishing line wrapped around its wing and its body prevented it from flying. With assistance from Ed Wilson and Conservancy team members Joanna Fitzgerald and David Webb, the team removed three hooks and other fishing line from various parts of the animal.

Joanna took the pelican to the Conservancy Wildlife Hospital for further examination and noted that a toe on its right foot had been severely injured previously. After it gained some weight and strength, Conservancy veterinar-ian Dr. Rachel Goldfarb conducted surgery February 21 to remove a dead toe and so far the pelican is doing well.

“Since Magic Under the Mangroves™ supports the Conservancy mission to protect our water, land and wildlife, some of the guests at the Magic Patron Party got to observe first-hand how their support benefits wild-life,” said Conservancy President Andrew McElwaine.

400 people celebrate our wild spacesW. Brooks Fortune Foundation, “Magic Under the Mangroves” provide funding.

UNEXPECTED GUEST

ODE TO THE GOOD FORTUNE II

Injured pelican “visits” Patron Party.

On March 8, 2012, Magic Under the Mangroves™, presented by Northern Trust, returned to its original site – the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center– where 400 guests helped raise a record $750,000 net income to sup-port Conservancy programs.

Conservancy Chair Bob Heidrick and John Fumagalli, Conservancy board member and president of the West Florida Region for Northern Trust, presented the 14 members of the Capital Campaign Cabinet with Eagle Awards for their exemplary leadership.

The record-breaking event was chaired by Conservancy Board

member Jeannie Smith, with Linda Diaz as auction chair.

SAVE THE DATE: March 7, 2013! Read more at www.conservancy.org/magic.

The new Good Fortune II, a 35-passenger pontoon boat which offers enhanced eco-cruise expe-riences through Rookery Bay, was christened on February 16, 2012. The new boat replaces the original Good Fortune cruise boat and was made possible through a gift from the W. Brooks Fortune Foundation and proceeds from the “Float the Boat” live auction por-tion at the 2011 Magic Under the Mangroves™ fundraising event. Over the years, the W. Brooks

Fortune Foundation has given more than $170,000 to support environmental education at the Conservancy, as well as the Good Fortune program. Recently, the Conservancy received a three-year, $90,000 grant from the W. Brooks Fortune Foundation to help fund the Good Fortune II. Three Good Fortune II cruises run each day and it is also available for private charters. Special rates for Conservancy members. Call 262.403.4236 for informa-tion and reservations

Village School third-grader Ashby Beckner assisted Conservancy Biologist Ian Bartoszek during “Tortoise Time” .

Conservancy board chair Bob Heidrick, NBC-2 Kellie Burns, Dolph von Arx. Moe Kent, Sue and Fred Schulte, and Lynne Shotwell celebrate Fred’s winning bid for the trip to a private-ly owned retreat in Costa Rica.

2012 Eagle Award presented to: (L to R) Patsy Schroeder, Lisa Merritt, Ian Wright, Dolph von Arx, Pamela C. Williams, Edith Andrew, John Hall, Lynne Shotwell and Gary Thomas on stage with Board Chair Bob Heidrick. (Winners not pictured: Sudie Geier, Gale Guild, Jane Pearsall, Nicholas G. Penniman, Tucker Tyler.) Current and former Magic Chairs (L to R) Jeannie Smith, Nancy White, Maureen Lerner and Sue Dalton.

(L to R) Len Zaiser IV and Rebecca Zaiser; Conservancy staffers Kelly Sowers, David Webb, President Andrew McElwaine, Captains Jim Pittman and Meade Sommers; Conservancy volunteers Judy Hushon and Carol Haberkorn; and Rob Moher toast the christening of the Good Fortune II. Coast Guard certified boat captains Meade Sommers and Jim Pittman at the helm for the inaugural launch of the Good Fortune II.

Written by Good Fortune II Coast Guard certified boat captain, Meade Sommers.

The Good Fortune II is a mighty fine boat.In Rookery Bay, it’s the very best afloat.The passengers love the wide, friendly layout,With plenty of room to move about.The Conservancy loves the new passenger count,Which can mean a nice additional dollar amount.The naturalists have more people to tell, Of the wonders that hold us all in their spell.The captains love the new con-trols and power.We can run it with pleasure, hour after hour.The Coast Guard likes that there is less rock, And that in an emergency, we can quickly get back to the dock.So to all who are responsible for this great feat, The Good Fortune II captains and crew think you’re really quite neat.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. AndrewMrs. Lori BassanoMr. and Mrs. H. Phillip BeckerMr. and Mrs. James BordasMr. and Mrs. Tim BrickMr. and Mrs. Len BungeMr. and Mrs. Jorge CallejaMr. and Mrs. John ClarkeMs. Janet ConeMr. and Mrs. Robert A. CornogMr. and Mrs. James P.

CottinghamMr. and Mrs. Jerry DailyMr. and Mrs. William L. DaltonCass and Linda DiazMr. and Mrs. Henry L. DinardoMr. and Mrs. Edwin H. Eaton, Jr.Mr. Curt C. Edwards

Ms. Kerry A. EdwardsMr. and Mrs. Chuck EllisMr. and Mrs. Tom EveristMr. and Mrs. Robert H. Fearon, Jr.AnonymousMr. and Mrs. Aubrey J. FerraoMr. and Mrs. Terrence R. FlynnMr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Fontana, Sr.Mr. and Mrs. Dave FrescolnMr. and Mrs. Chauncey GossMr. Harry GrandisMr. and Mrs. Tate HaireJohn and Donna HallMr. and Mrs. Jonathan C. HamillMr. and Mrs. Scot HamiltonMr. Rufino HernandezMr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Hester

Mr. Daniel C. Hickey and Dr. Jill V. Hickey

Mr. Andrew D.W. Hill and Dr. Susan M. Liberski

Mr. and Mrs. William H. HylandMr. and Mrs. Charles JerabekMr. and Mrs. James D. JesseeMr. and Mrs. Norman J. KlymMr. and Mrs. James KnuppDr. and Mrs. Stephen A. KwedarMr. and Mrs. John LandonMr. and Mrs. Ken LewisMs. Shelley K. LundMr. and Mrs. Ted McNallyMr. and Mrs. J. William MeekMrs. Robin MinchMr. and Mrs. Joseph ParisiMr. and Mrs. William M. Pearson

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard N. PortnoyMr. Richard G. Prebish, IIMr. and Mrs. Tony RodriguezMr. and Mrs. Donald SawinPatsy SchroederMrs. Nancy F. SeeleyMr. and Mrs. Christopher B. SmithMr. and Mrs. Frederick P.

Stratton, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Richard SullivanMr. and Mrs. Vito A. SuziedelisMr. and Mrs. Stephen D. TeafordGary L. and Sharen A. ThomasMr. and Mrs. Joseph M.

TrachtenbergMs. Judith C. TrykaMr. and Mrs. Arthur VictorMr. and Mrs. Augusto Villalon

Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Webster, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. WheelerMrs. Nancy G. WhiteMr. and Mrs. Keith WickendenMyra and Van Zandt Williams,

Jr. Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. J. Lawrence WilsonMs. Sandra G. WilsonMr. and Mrs. Robert Wilson, IIIMr. and Mrs. Gene L. WindfeldtMr. and Mrs. Tom WindfeldtMr. and Mrs. John F. WolfeMr. and Mrs. Rodney I. WoodsMr. and Mrs. Lenoir E. ZaiserRookery Bay National Estuarine

Research Reserve

Thank You! Float-the-Boat Donors

There has never been a better time to join or renew your membership to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida! The enclosed membership enve-

lope includes pricing and benefits - includ-ing FREE ADMISSION to Mote Marine

Aquarium and more than 147 Nature Centers across the country and in Canada. For more information on our membership opportunities, call 239-

403-4207. You can join online at www.conservancy.org.

Please check Conservancy Nature Center hours of operation at

www.conservancy.org. Members will also receive a postcard notification.

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Membership Rewards

As a member of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, you will be among the first to experience the new Nature Center before it opens to the public. We encourage you to check www.con-servancy.org for the latest information on opening dates, as information fre-quently changes. We’ll be phasing in various openings throughout 2012.

As renovations continue, members have exclusive opportunities at the Conservancy Nature Center to enjoy the following:

• Electric boat rides for members departing from the new Allyn Family Docks.

• A sneak peek inside the von Arx Wildlife Hospital nursery and new Sapakie classroom.

• A Nature Zone encounter, with resident baby alligators, snakes, touch tank and juvenile logger-head sea turtle

• A preview tour of the Dalton Discovery Center in advance of public opening.

• Hands-on education programs every hour.

• Shopping in the Nature Store.

Conservancy members Jim and Kitty Shaw joined Conservancy team mem-bers Ian Bartoszek and David Webb for a Picayune Strand field trip to witness the Everglades restoration. Their experience prompted this encourging letter:

“Having been there when there was nothing but a man-made wasteland and seeing the progress toward making it the way it should be, gave us great encouragement. We thank the Conservancy and its associated groups for this critically worthwhile quest. If more people could participate in excursions like this, there would be little opposition to efforts to repair and preserve our environmental treasures. People just don’t understand the connection between preserving a habitat for one species and preserving our own habitat. Keep up the great work.”

E N V I R O N M E N T A L E D U C A T I O NM E M B E R S H I P A N D E V E N T S

NEW LOGGERHEAD HAS ARRIVED

A new juvenile loggerhead sea turtle has made its way to a temporary home inside the Conservancy Nature Zone.

This sea turtle was born on Sanibel Island and was then transferred to the Florida Atlantic University lab at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton Florida. She was part of a study monitoring the ratio of males vs. females in a typical nest. (The sex of loggerheads is determined by the temperature variances in their nests.)

Kelly Sowers, Conservancy Nature Center Supervisor, is anx-ious for the new Dalton Discovery Center to open. “This will be the first sea turtle that will get to use our new 5,000 gallon saltwa-ter tank in the Dalton Discovery Center.

During renovations to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center, the Conservancy education team came up with a creative solution to reach 2,500 students in Collier and Lee Counties – rerouting field trips to the schools!

“While the Nature Center is undergoing renovations, we’ve taken our field trip programs directly to the schools,” said Conservancy Education Manager David Webb. “A natural learning lab existed right on the campuses of three middle schools. It certainly proved that

environmental challenges exist in our own backyard.”

After creating spotting scopes and watching videos on invasive plants and wildlife, students were led to on-campus or nearby lakes and ponds to participate in eco-friendly scavenger hunts and outdoor games. In addition, they researched native and exotic plants, discovering many invasive plants and insects that existed on or near their school campus. Their research was science based, and involved taking measurements and documenting the types of species, incorporating math, science and technology into their lesson.

In addition to education grants from Walmart for “Learning Adventures,” Francis P. Hayes, Wells Fargo and PNC Bank provided education grants for these field trips.

Hands-On Exploration

Creative SolutionSpecial preview events for members only!

Members commend Conservancy for swamp field trip.

Progress at the Nature Center

DALTON DISCOVERY CENTERExhibits and panels are beginning to take shape.

GEOTHERMALLocal student Abraham Lowers met with Conservancy staffers Curtis Cafiso and David Webb to complete his report on geothermal systems. Ultimately, geothermal will run throughout the Nature Center and will save over 40 percent in air conditioning costs.

Once open for Phase I, members can explore the secrets of the Shotwell Wavering Filter Marsh and visit baby alligators in the Nature Zone. The education team has reached 2,636 students as a result of taking field trips to the

school campuses while the Nature Center is closed.

SAVE THE DATEOctober 26 – 28, 2012

Presented byJohnson Meland Group

at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management

Registration forms are available online at www.conservancy.org/camp

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“WE HAVE TAKEN OUR FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS DIRECTLY TO THE SCHOOLS.”

- Conservancy Education Manager David Webb

The Conservancy is one of six environmental partners in the Florida Water Coalition (floridawa-tercoalition.org) collaborating on a clean water campaign. The group’s efforts are focused on establish-ing a set of effective water quality standards to control the nutrient pollution fouling Florida’s waters. Nutrient pollution contributes to the unsightly and unsafe green algae blooms which threaten our health, tourism based economy, environ-ment and our quality of life.

The Coalition petitioned the U.S.

EYE on the ISSUES

EYE on the ISSUES

E N V I R O N M E N T A L P O L I C Y E N V I R O N M E N T A L P O L I C Y

Clean Water Win

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“THIS RULING PUTS TO REST WHETHER THERE IS A NEED FOR MEASURABLE AND ENFORCEABLE STANDARDS FOR NUTRIENT POLLUTION.”

- Conservancy Director of Natural Resource Policy Jennifer Hecker

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set such standards, after the state had failed to do so for 11 years. As a result of our peti-tion, the EPA developed effective

numeric nutrient standards for most of Florida’s freshwaters. These standards are now the subject of immense opposition from every major polluting industry, as well as from the State of Florida. The State has sued EPA and is now proposing its own set of deficient standards.

Recently, in response to the State and dozens of pollut-ers suing EPA to challenge their finalized freshwater nutrient water quality stan-dards, our Coalition went to federal court to defend the EPA standards. The result was a favor-able ruling, where the judge upheld major elements of the EPA stan-dards, including:

• Numeric nutrient criteria are necessary for Florida waters to meet the Clean Water Act’s requirements.

• EPA’s numeric pollution criteria for lakes and springs.

• EPA’s decision to adopt numeric limits upstream in order to meet downstream limits.

• EPA’s downstream protection criteria for impaired lakes.

• EPA’s decision to allow site specific alternative criteria and procedures for doing so.

The Judge asked EPA to pro-vide more scientific information to address some technical elements,

but all in all, the ruling was a big win for cleaning up nutri-ent pollution and protect-ing clean water. Though the struggle for sufficiently

protective and effective nutri-ent water quality standards con-

tinues, Conservancy Director of Natural Resource Policy Jennifer Hecker says, “This ruling puts to rest whether there is a need for measurable and enforceable stan-dards for nutrient pollution. The Conservancy will continue to work with our partners to ensure that whatever standards are ultimately implemented are adequately protec-tive to ensure our waters are safe for swimming and fishing once more.”

Legendary angler Roland Martin believes it takes clean water to make for great fishing. He has been the honorary chair of the Conservancy RedSnook Catch and Release Tournament. The 2012 Tournament is scheduled October 26-28 and helps support clean water programs and juvenile gamefish studies.

DO OUR WATERS MAKE THE GRADE?Over 97% of Florida’s estuar-ies are not safe for swimming and/or fishing. Learn more on how to help in the 2011 Estuaries Report Card: www.conservancy.org/publications

Protecting Southwest Florida’s unique natural environment and quality of life ... now and forever.www.conservancy.org

2011

S AV I N G S O U T H W E S T F L O R I D A’ S WAT E R

E s t u a r i e s R e p o r t C a r d

• NumericNutrientsHB7051: the state’s severely deficient nutrient pollution standards no longer need be ratified by the legislature. This speeds up sending the deficient standards to the US Environmental Protection Agency for review - in an attempt to preempt implementation of pending stronger, more effective federal nutrient pollution standards.

• SepticTankPre-EmptionHB1263: eliminates the statewide septic tank inspection program and would restrict all local governments (except Jacksonville-Duval) from having septic tank programs that are more protective than state minimum standards. Since inadequately placed or maintained septics are a significant source of nutrient pollution, this will make it much more difficult and expensive for taxpayers at large to improve water quality.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida worked with our partners to stop many harmful pieces of legislation this past session. The most notable was the Fertilizer Preemption Bill, which would have removed many essential elements of existing effective fertilizer regulations put in place by local governments throughout Southwest Florida.

We want to thank all the people who responded strongly to the e-alerts we sent out and supported our advocacy efforts. We also commend several Southwest Florida elected leaders, including Councilwoman Teresa Heitmann from Naples and Commissioner Ray Judah in Lee County, who went to testify against the bill before the legislature.

A relative bright spot was $8.3 million in the State budget to the Florida Forever state land acquisition program. While not the $15 million requested by the Governor or the $100 million

State Legislative Session Wrap Up: A Mixed Bag

Some bad bills did pass including:

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Director of Natural Resource Policy Jennifer Hecker with Representative Matt Hudson in Tallahassee, lobbying for increased Everglades restoration funding.

in prior administrations, it does allow continuation of the program when lands important to water supply and wildlife can be purchased at record low market values. Additionally, the $30 million for Everglades restoration in the final budget, while shy of the $100 million plus in previous years, and the $40 million in the Governor’s budget, still provides critical funding support to allow restoration activities vital to enhancing South Florida’s environmen-tal health and water supply.

GOOD

Fertilizer Preemption Bill defeated

$8.3 million in budget for state land acquisition

$30 million in budget for Everglades restoration

BAD

Deficient nutrient standards no longer need legislative review to preempt stronger Federal standards

Septic tank inspections to protect water quality were defeated

2012 Session Environmental Scorecard

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C O N S E R V A N C Y H A P P E N I N G S

TidbitsCelebrating people, places, events of note.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida team members David Webb, Nikkie Dvorchak, Lily Mleczko and the red tailed hawk joined FOX-4’s “Morning Blend” hosts Carly Wegner and Bill Wood (center) to promote the April 21 Earth Day Festival and Summer Camps. The segment was taped at Mercado on March 22.

The newly constructed maintenance facility was awarded with LEED Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC.) Five other buildings are still under renovation or construction and are awaiting certifications. LEED, short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. The Conservancy “green team” includes Conservancy of Southwest Florida scientists, naturalists and other staff, Cambridge 7 Associates, Heatherwood Construction, Hole Montes, Keith Predmore Consulting/Neugreen LLC, L-Architecture, and JALRW Engineering Group. The late Larry Warner served as the original lead architect.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has received a $50,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to support its educational programs, “Learning Adventures.” This grant is the second year that Walmart has supported Conservancy education initiatives, with support totaling more than $80,000 to develop the next generation of environmental leaders in Lee and Collier Counties.

Three members of the Wildlife Clinic team, Dr. Rachel Goldfarb, Jonee Miller and Ana Sosa just attended the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Annual Conference where they learned the latest in wildlife rehab techniques and research. Wildlife Clinic Director Joanna Fitzgerald attended a Wildlife Forensic Workshop where she learned and practiced various forensic techniques. Workshops such as these are critical to enhancing wildlife care and are made possible by generous donors to “Fund-a-Need” at Magic Under the Mangroves™.

The Conservancy education team recently completed a workshop to update them on a variety of nationally-recognized methods for environmental education. The session was facilitated by Dr. Marguerite Forest, FGCU/Conservancy liaison, funded by a generous gift from Edie and Ed Andrew to the “Saving Southwest Florida” campaign.

TV Stars

Going Green

Walmart Supports Education

Project Learning Tree

Improving Wildlife Care

FREE!

Lake Park Elementary School fifth grade students Christian Wright and Connor McIntire; back left to right: Javier Brenes, Walmart market manager; David Webb, Conservancy education manager; Larry Graham, co-manager of Walmart store #5391;and Rob Moher, Conservancy vice president of development and marketing.

EYE on the ISSUES

E N V I R O N M E N T A L P O L I C Y

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After years of legal wrangling over the new plan to protect natu-ral resources within Lee County’s Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource area (DR/GR,) an Administrative Law Judge ruled in February that the plan is in compli-ance with state law.

In his Recommended Order, Judge Bram D.E. Canter opined that the mining interests that challenged the amendment did not provide suffi-cient proof that the amendment was contrary to state law. The judge ruled in favor of Lee County and the new DR/GR plan finding that:

• Limerock mining does adversely affect wildlife and residents.

• The area designed by the county for mining is sufficient.

• Appropriate data and analy-sis was used to generate the amendment.

This plan will direct mining to the Alico Road corridor and away from groundwater wells, conservation lands and rural residential areas. The amendment also provides for a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program. TDR transfers density from more sensitive lands

to lands more appropriate. The result will be vibrant and sustain-able mixed-use communities located with direct access to major road-ways, less intensive use on lands where density has been removed and protection of agriculture and natural resources.

In late March, the state’s land planning agency concurred with Judge Canter and signed the Final Order. With the new amendments fully in effect, proposed projects in the DR/GR will gain approval only if they are consistent with the amend-ments.

The Conservancy was one of the organizations that intervened on behalf of Lee County to support the new DR/GR plan. According to Conservancy Director of Governmental Relations Nicole Johnson, “The judge’s decision confirms that Lee County has the authority to create plans that direct incompatible land uses to appropri-ate locations. Lee County’s inno-vative techniques, such as TDRs, encourage sustainable new com-munities. We commend Lee County for their vision to plan for the future of the DR/GR and the courage to successfully defend this plan in the court of law.”

The Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) is considered to be Southwest Florida’s largest undis-turbed watershed, providing wildlife habitat, water storage, groundwater recharge, habitat protection and exceptional public recreation opportu-nities. CREW spans both Collier and Lee Counties - each local government has invested significant resources to CREW acquisition. However, acquisi-tion of land is only the first step in maintaining the integrity of the water-shed. Ensuring appropriate compat-ible land uses adjacent to CREW is also critical.

Currently, there is a proposal to convert 1,382 acres from citrus grove to limerock mining, directly across the street from CREW lands.

The Conservancy believes this mine is incompatible with the valuable conservation lands and its potential negative impacts to adjacent rural residential neighborhoods. The mine also poses potential impacts to Lee County’s DR/GR, located directly west of the site.

According to Conservancy Director of Governmental Relations Nicole Johnson, “Mining, by its very nature, impacts surrounding land uses. Such impacts go far beyond the project site itself, reverberating through adjacent neighborhoods and wreaking havoc on local roads.”

Johnson continued, “Residents will be impacted by dust, noise and light pollution. Dust, noise and light pol-lution from this heavy industrial use are felt by residents living in close proximity, and residents that live along a mine’s haul route are plagued by safety concerns inherent in sharing the roadway with industrial trucks that are paid by the truckload.”

Florida panthers cross Corkscrew Road to access conservation lands

Trading Citrus for Limerock

The loggerhead formerly residing in the old Discovery Center was released in early April after “outgrowing” its tanks at MOTE Marine Aquarium and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

LimerockMiningISHarmfultoPeopleandotherLivingThings

Judge’s order reinforces environmental protection.

Not a good idea for rural residents or the environment.

continued on page 15

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W I L D L I F E C L I N I C E N V I R O N M E N T A L S C I E N C E

Nature creates designs with curves that constantly change shape. Humans tend to prefer designs with straight lines that stay put. Understandably, these two forces can sometimes com-pete against each other, when they should work together.

The constant changes to Clam Pass from shifting currents, wind, waves and storms contribute to the Pass filling in. Historically, Clam Pass moved around. It would close up in one area and blowout and create a new pass in another. Sand sometimes even built up enough to create islands (Figures 1 and 2). Today, attempts are made to cor-ral nature and keep Clam Pass in one place. However, nature doesn’t always read the memo, so dredg-ing becomes necessary to keep the Pass open.

The 1999 Clam Bay Restoration Permit that allowed Clam Pass to be dredged periodically has expired and Collier County has applied for a new permit. While everyone agrees the Pass needs to be kept open, disagreements have risen on the dredge cut design and when to dredge.

The County requested an 80 foot entrance cut, which makes little sense. The Pass will try to get back to its natural width of around 40 feet. Working with nature makes more sense - dredge a nar-rower template, such as performed in 2002, which worked just fine.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida Science Co-Director Kathy Worley advises, “The objective of inlet maintenance should be to sustain and improve environmental resources.”

Worley continued, “Dredging removes bottom dwelling creatures, which are an important part of the food chain, along with the sand. While these popula-tions recover over time they will not reach their full potential - especially in areas like Clam Pass that are dredged repeatedly. Therefore, removal of the least amount of sand need-ed to keep the pass open is better for the overall health of the estuary not to mention our pocketbooks.”

According to the County’s permit, the decision of when to dredge is vague and based on hydro-logic conditions. Dredging should occur when the water exchange between the Gulf and the Clam Bay system is reduced to the point where

the health of Clam Bay waterways and the mangrove forest are at risk of impairment. What we want to prevent is a knee-jerk reaction to dredge based on changes in hydrol-ogy that nature could correct.

Prior to dredging Clam Pass, ask the following questions:

1. Is dredging absolutely necessary to prevent further ecological damage within the estuary?

2. Do benefits of dredging outweigh detriments?

Worley summarizes, “Think of three Ls: dredge the least amount of sand, the least number of times, for the least cost.”

Figure 1: Clam Pass area 1953. Note the positions of the items shown by the arrows. Figure 2: Clam Pass area 1995. Note the changes that have occurred.

Spring is the time of year when a variety of birds and mammals are raising their young and injured, sick and orphaned “babies” are arriving at the doorstep of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Wildlife Clinic for help.

“Sometimes well-meaning rescuers actually bring in animals that are healthy,” according to Joanna Fitzgerald, Wildlife Clinic director. “For many peo-ple, the pleasure of seeing these young creatures is mixed with wanting to help them survive.”

Since it’s best if the youngsters are raised by their parents, Fitzgerald offers some tips on dis-cerning if a “baby” needs help.

1. Nestlings are baby birds that are too young to be out of the nest. If the nest is intact, gently place the bird back inside. It is not true that a “parent” will reject a baby if it was touched by a human.

2. Observe the baby animal from a distance before taking action.

3. If the animal is healthy and alert, it most likely is not orphaned. Even small young animals are often independent enough to fend for themselves.

4. Many wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day, some-times for long periods.

5. Never attempt to feed or offer water to a baby wild animal. It can be detrimental to the animal and unsafe to the person involved.

6. Do not attempt to raise a baby wild animal. Wildlife need special diets and care provided by trained animal rehabilitators.

7. Always call the Conservancy Wildlife Clinic before intervening. Our team can assess the situation over the phone and determine the best course of action. 239.262.CARE.

Spring has Sprung

IT TAKES A VILLAGEVolunteers from United Parcel Service (UPS) Naples Delivery Center help distribute 22 tons of fossil rock used as substrate in the outdoor recovery enclosures at the Conservancy Wildlife Clinic. The rock was donated by Superior Stone. Thank you!

Babies galore arriving at the Wildlife Clinic.

TheDealwithDredgingClam Pass: why, when and how much?

Dine at participating restaurants using special

“Dining for Wildlife” certificates

on select dates between April 22 – May 17, 2012.

50 percent of all certificatepurchases

support wildlife.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida

2012

An easy way to support the Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Wildlife Clinic!

Questions? Email nikkied@conservancy.org

or call the Dining for Wildlife

hotline 239.325.2666

Clam Pass contains multiple wildlife and provides habitat for marine life.

S U P P O R T T E A MV O L U N T E E R S E R V I C E S

Volunteer TIDBITS

Calendar Events

Volunteer News

With summer soon upon us, some of you will be heading to points north and cooler (really?) weather. Please encourage your friends, neighbors and acquaintances to vol-unteer so the Conservancy can con-tinue to run at full speed. Once the new entrance opens from Goodlette-Frank Road, Smith Preserve Way, we anticipate many new visitors to the Nature Center throughout the summer.

In preparation for reopening, we encourage each Volunteer Coordinator to have a co-coordi-nator to share the work and be there should you decide to retire your position. Also, taking part in the monthly volunteer orientation classes will entice new volunteers to join your team – an important step in building up your teams to handle increased volunteer opportunities and duties.

Because of the delay in open-ing, we are extending the deadline for volunteers to wear the new uniform shirts sporting the official Conservancy logo. If you’re not already wearing the new shirts, please do so by January 2013.

Have a wonderful summer! For those heading north, we’ll see you in the fall. We thank our fulltime volun-teers for their continued dedication during the summer – we really need you!

By the way, if you’re reading this and you’re not a volunteer, please consider joining the team! Applications are available on line at www.conservancy.org/volunteer or by contacting JoAnn at joannj@conservancy.org.

JoAnn Johansen, Intern & Volunteer Manager

Ian M. Wright Volunteer Connection President

14 15

VOLUNTEER FORUMS: Resume in November.

THE VOLUNTEER CONNECTION MEETINGS: 3rd Friday of the month. May 18th. Will resume in October.

Newcomers to the Rescue

Hiker Extraordinaire

Kite in the Air

Nimble Fingers

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida was in desperate need of towels for the Wildlife Clinic. Volunteer Cathie Williams, who is also president of the Naples Newcomers Club, mobilized her club members, filling her SUV with hundreds of new and gently used towels! Conservancy of Southwest Florida intern, Sarah Leong, happily transports the mountain of donated towels to the Wildlife Clinic.

Ed Selby has been a Clam Pass guide since 2004 and served as coordinator from 2005-2008. He’s a hiking enthusiast having logged over 12,300 solo miles, most nota-bly on the entire Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Coast Trail from Mexico to Canada, and the Florida Loop Trail from the Everglades to the tip of Pensacola Beach.

While volun-teering at the Conservancy Nature Center, Susan Leach Snyder captured this photo of a swallow-tailed kite. If you look closely, you can see the frog it just captured dangling from its claw.

Longtime Nature Store volunteer, Joan Stacy waited until she retired to begin quilting. In 1992 she took adult education classes in the Buffalo, NY area and now belongs to the Naples Quilters Guild where she has won several 1st Place Ribbons for her beautiful, and often intricate, creations. You can see Joan’s creations when the Guild holds its next annual show early in 2013.

Jeremy holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and a B.S. in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in policy and planning from the University of Central Florida where he graduated in 2010. His areas of interest included bioregionalism and sustainability issues. He began working for the Conservancy as a Policy Intern in March of 2011 and has been hired as an Environmental Policy Specialist, responsible for reviewing growth management issues, mining issues and promoting conservation efforts in the Estero Bay Watershed.

Rachel is a graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University where she received her B.A. in Marine Science with a minor in Biology. After graduating, she received her teaching certification and taught science in the public school system. Rachel has recently gained experience in animal care, sea turtle research, and summer camp programs. As a Conservancy Naturalist, Rachel focuses on educa-tional outreach and classroom programs.

As a Pacific Northwest native, Jeannette is passionate about the environment and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. She has a B.S. in business management/marketing from Hodges University and brings over 17 years of marketing and retail experience, including launching a 10,000 Islands catamaran tour from Marco Island. Jeannette is a seasonal employee, working as the Good Fortune II Program Sales Associate. Her goal is to make this eco-cruise a “must do” attraction for all.

Jeremy Frantz

Rachel Miner

Jeannette Wright

Jim has ties to the Conservancy dating back to the 1970s. His parents worked as Conservancy volun-teers helping on the first parts of Everglades

restoration. They made calls to land-owners, asking them to sell back their property in Golden Gate Estates to the State for conservation purposes. Currently Jim serves as a Boat Captain, is part of the electric boat maintenance team, is Vice President of the Volunteer Connection and on the Election Corps.

Nancy has ties to the Conservancy dating back over 20 years when her mother, Mildred Ferguson, was an early contributor and volunteered in the

Discovery Center. Nancy began volun-teering as a Docent in the Discovery Center, participated in many special events, was a member of the 2009 Magic Committee, and is currently a dock master for our electric boat pro-gram.

Sally began her Conservancy volunteer career in the Discovery Center in 2003, work-ing every Monday afternoon. When the Discovery Center

closed last summer for renovations, she joined the Wildlife Clinic team on Mondays and soon added Saturdays. She has also served aboard the Sweet Liberty and many special events includ-ing: the Jason Project, Magic Under the Mangroves, Dining for Wildlife and Earth Day.

February2012 March2012 April2012Jim Murray Nancy Ferguson Seeley Sally G. Lam

Volunteers of the Month

Environmental Science Christine Olmeda Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA

Wildlife Rehabilitation Shalini Babu University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA

Jessica Paolello Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA

Lauren Telban University of Tampa, Tampa, FL

New Employeesnorth and south of the road. Such panther activity makes this road incom-patible for heavy truck traffic from mines.

In March, the Collier County Planning Commission recommended denial of this mine to the Board of County Commissioners, based on incompatibility with surrounding land uses, including CREW. The Conservancy applauds the Planning Commission’s recommendation, and we will continue to actively oppose Lost Grove Mine as it proceeds to public hearing at the County Commission.

Trading Citrus for Limrock continues from page 10

NEW INTERNS:

1450 Merrihue Dr.Naples, FL 34102www.conservancy.org

WILL OUR SEA TURTLES SURVIVE?

Absolutely AquaticA fun exploration of our local aquatic and marine habitats! Campers discover how filter marshes provide clean water, what it’s like to care for our loggerhead sea turtle and other ocean creatures, and help design personal aquatic exhibits of their own. Includes field trips to some of Naples’ beautiful beaches, swamps and sloughs in search of some absolutely exciting aquatic adventures. Dive into our own aquatic backyard and study Gulf and fresh water ecosystems.

Nature ExplorersJoin our experienced team and help protect our water, land, wildlife, and future every day! Our camp participants will experi-ence life as a junior naturalist. How do we care for the amazing animals at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida? What goes on behind the scenes at our von Arx Wildlife Hospital? Camp-ers learn these skills and more with field trips into the wilds of Florida to see the unique ecosystems that make Florida such a remarkable place.

For registration information, visit www.conservancy.org/camp or call 239.262.0304 Ext. 266

Conservancy of Southwest Florida An easy way to support the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Wildlife Clinic!

See details on page 12

You can help at www.conservancy.org/helpturtles