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2023 Annual Report
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.
It's easy and fun
Adopt an Animal
Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s 110,000 acres are home to all kinds of animals. Reserve staff help keep the environment safe and healthy for all its inhabitants. YOU can help by symbolically adopting either a bird, dolphin, sea star or shark with two adoption levels to chose from.
Hatchlings Need Your Help
Adopt a Sea Turtle Program
Your support funded two interns and supplies during the 2022 season (May-Sept.). 108 nests were protected against predation, resulting in 6,041 emerged hatchlings! Adoptions after August 1st are applied to the following year’s nesting season.
Honor Someone Special
Tribute Brick 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 6-8 weeks for production and installation 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 is a long-term investment in the future of our coastal treasure. Through our endowment, you may select to support our General Fund managed at the Collier Community Foundation.
Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders
Norris Gaynor Student Scholarship
The Norris Gaynor Student Scholarship was established in 2019 through a generous contribution by Lavern Norris Gaynor, a long-time champion of youth education and environmental causes. Managed by Friends of Rookery Bay, the scholarship will fund internships at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for generations to come.
Sustaining Rookery Bay Programs
The Sue Miller Memorial Scholarship
The ‘Sue Miller Memorial Scholarship’ fund was established in August 2023 through an estate gift after the sudden passing of Sue Miller. A retired teacher, Sue volunteered with Rookery Bay Research Reserve for more than 10 years, helping with on-the-water research and community education programs as well as assisting interns with sea turtle monitoring.
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