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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

Mangroves | FORB logo | Zoom Gallery
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.
shorebird-rookery-bay-research-reserve
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.
Sea Turtle on Beach | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
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.
Brick Tribute Program | Donation | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
Welcoming back our..

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.
Give Where You Live | Planned Giving | Donate | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
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.

Endowment | Donation | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
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 (earmarked for the Friends) or the Norris-Gaynor Scholarship (earmarked to fund Reserve interns). Our endowment is managed by the Community Foundation of Collier County.
Lal's Legacy | Donation | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
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.
Sue Miller Headshot | Jobs and Career Opportunities | Internships and Fellowships at Rookery Bay Research Reserve
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.
Drone Image of Rookery Bay Research Reserve | National Estuarine Research Reserve

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