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All Contributions are Greatly Appreciated
Support Rookery Bay
Friends of Rookery Bay is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization connecting people with Southwest Florida’s dynamic coastal environment in support of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Together we can…
- Inspire 3,000 students and teachers to be stewards of our coast
- Educate 50,000+ people through eco-tours, classes, and programs.
- Protect hundreds of sea turtle nests
- Work to eradicate invasive species, none more challenging than Burmese pythons.
- Lead the way for innovative conservation and land management practices.
DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
Every Dollar Matters!
Become a Monthly Donor
Your recurring donation at any level is the most impactful way to protect our environment while supporting education, research and conservation year-round.
Hatchlings Need Your Help!
Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest - $250
With your support, Friends of Rookery Bay’s 2020 Adopt-a-Sea-Turtle-Nest Program raised $16,930 to fund an intern and project supplies for the Reserve’s turtle program. 142 nests were identified and protected against predation, resulting in 7,122 emerged hatchlings!
Welcoming back our..
Brick Tribute Program
We invite you to remember loved ones, honor friends, and commemorate special occasions by purchasing personalized bricks. Bricks will be featured in our new pollinator garden. Allow 4 weeks for production time.
Leaving a Legacy
Planned Giving
What is YOUR lasting legacy? Will it inspire children to care for our coastal treasure? Or drive cutting-edge research and monitoring to guide conservation of Southwest Florida’s coastal environment. The treasure is OURS…the legacy is YOURS.
Contact Executive Director, Athan Barkoukis, to discuss wills, bequests, annuities and charitable trusts.
Investing In Our Future
Endowment
Your contribution to our endowment is a long-term investment in the future of our coastal treasure, Rookery Bay Research Reserve. Through our endowment, you may select to support our General Fund (earmarked for the Friends) or the Norris-Gaynor Scholarship (earmarked to fund Reserve education and research interns). Our endowment is managed by the Community Foundation of Collier County and open for anyone to donate.
Educating Tomorrow's Leaders
Lal's Legacy Club
Lal’s Legacy Club was established in 2019 as an inspiration from Lavern Gaynor, a long-time supporter of education and environmental programs at Rookery Bay and throughout South Florida. Contributing a minimum of $2,500 each, our 12 founding members enable the Friends to support the Reserve’s Education programs, serving more than 3,000 Collier County Public school children annually. Your contribution to Lal’s Legacy Club will help teachers and students understand more about the region’s coastal environment and engage them in the process of science.
Shop & Donate
Amazon Smile Program
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features. When you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
- In your internet browser go to smile.amazon.com and log in using your Amazon credentials.
- Under the heading “Or pick your own charitable organization” enter “Friends of Rookery Bay” then click “Search”
- Select “Friends of Rookery Bay” and shop away at no additional cost to you!
YOUR Gift Is Our....
Amazon Wishlist
Find YOUR gift on our wishlist. Throughout the year Rookery Bay Research Reserve and Friends of Rookery Bay staff often need a wide array of tools and other resources that don’t make it in our annual budget. From aquaria supplies to iPad cases for youth education programs, YOUR gift helps us accomplish the task at hand.
Financial Documents
Friends of Rookery Bay is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and is registered with the State of Florida (85-8012880441C-9). A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services at 1-800-435-7352. All donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Donate with Confidence
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
The Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is a 16,500 ft environmentally-friendly educational, research and training facility with research laboratories, classrooms, a 140-seat auditorium, and two-story visitor center. The visitor center offers a variety of hands-on experiences for all ages, including interactive exhibits, an art gallery, nature trails, and picnic areas.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm
Sunday: Closed
Address: 300 Tower Road, Naples, FL 34113
Dogs are not allowed in the building or on the nature trails.
Check our calendar for events and annual closures.
General Admission
Adults: $5
Children Ages 6-12: $3
Children Under 6: FREE
Friends of Rookery Bay members: FREE
Association of Nature Center Administrators Reciprocal Program Members: FREE
Blue Star Museum Program: Military personnel and family (up to four) FREE from Memorial Day through Labor Day
Groups and Private Tours
Your group is welcome to have lunch during your visit to the Environmental Learning Center. Please complete our “group booking form” if you would like a private tour or your group consists of ten people or more.
