FRIENDS OF ROOKERY BAY

OUR MISSION & IMPACT

Achieving Goals Since 1987

Our Mission & Impact

Friends of Rookery Bay’s ongoing mission is to help connect people with southwest Florida’s dynamic coastal environment in support of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

The Friends provide vital monetary and in-kind support for Reserve programs and operations. Our members, volunteers and donors enable us to be a reliable partner to the Reserve and an advocate for preservation and coastal protection.

How We Help

The Friends helps Reserve staff address many challenges in managing our coastal lands and waters. We connect people to Southwest Florida’s coastal environment through an active volunteer recruitment program, outreach efforts, advocacy, and fundraising activities.

ABOUT US

Leadership

Friends of Rookery Bay is a legally constituted 501(c)3 non-profit Citizen Support Organization (CSO) and is governed by a Board of Directors representing a broad cross section of the community.

History

The Friends were incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1987 to help Reserve staff achieve a better outcome with limited resources.

PARTNERS

Partners

Our partnerships with individuals, businesses, community leaders, foundations and other organizations serve as the backbone to support programs at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and its Environmental Learning Center.

A partnership with the United Arts Council of Collier County since 2003 has enabled us to showcase annual exhibitions of painting and photography juried by local artists to visitors of the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center.

ANNUAL AWARD

Annual Award

The Friend’s Annual Lavern Norris Gaynor Environmental Champion Award recognizes an individual that embodies the vision, mission and philosophy of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Friends of Rookery Bay. Read more about criteria, past recipients, process and nomination information.

Past Recipients:
2019: Lavern Norris Gaynor
2020: The Clyde and Niki Butcher Family
2021: Francis Rooney
2022: Charlette Roman
2023: Pat and Ray Carroll
2024: To be announced March 14, 2024

STAFF DIRECTORY

The Executive Director and staff manage daily operations to support the Friends and Reserve.

Athan Barkoukis: Executive Director
Phone: 239-530-5990
Email: director@friendsofrookerybay.org

Cathy Bolinger: Accountant
Email: accounting@friendsofrookerybay.org

Janet Wolfe: Customer Service Manager
Phone: 239-530-5947
Email: friends@rookerybay.org

Robin DeMattia: Marketing Consultant
Email: robin@robindemattia.com

Amelia Horadam: Events Manager
Email: events@rookerybay.org

Raquel Herrera: Visitor Services Specialist
Phone: 239-530-5977
Email: visitors@rookerybay.org

Sarah Mae Freeman: Customer Service Specialist
Phone: 239-530-5972
Email: s.freeman@rookerybay.org

DOCUMENTATION

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SO MUCH TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE

MANGROVE AQUARIUM

MANGROVE AQUARIUM

Large windows in the Reserve’s laboratories allow visitors to observe ongoing research. A monitor displays film footage of local and visiting scientists conducting research and monitoring programs in the reseve. In the theater, a 10-minute documentary film produced by award-winning filmmaker Elam Stoltzfus, highlights the beauty of the Rookery Bay Research Reserve.

In the 2,300-gallon mangrove aquarium centerpiece, a 14-foot sculpted red mangrove tree soars up through an open atrium into the Center’s second story. A climb-in “bubble” provides visitors with close-up views of mangrove prop roots that provide shelter for fish inhabitants. Interactive and hands-on exhibits provide opportunities for visitors of all ages to explore and expand upon their knowledge of Florida’s estuaries.

TOUCH TANK

ESTUARY ENCOUNTER

ESTUARY ENCOUNTER TOUCH TANK

Our 180-gallon Marine Life Exhibit is designed to look and feel like Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s natural environment with detailed rock formations and a variety of local marine life. In addition to self-guided engagement with these animals, docent-led programs will also be scheduled throughout the day.

The “Estuary Encounter” exhibit houses more than a dozen species of marine animals for guests of all ages to discover during regular visiting hours. Observe and interact with a sea star, spider crab or lightning whelk.

CULTURAL RICHNESS

CULTURAL RICHNESS

Cultural exhibits on the second floor of the Environmental Learning Center showcase 3,000 years of human use in the estuary. A large topographic map on the wall depicts prehistoric and historic sites, a storytelling booth recounts memories of pioneer settlers, and a tribute to the Children’s Column on Henderson Creek tells the story of how Rookery Bay was saved from development in the 1960s.

There’s even a “Today and the Future” area that provides an overview of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and sea level rise, and how they might affect various forms of life in southwest Florida. The exhibits include an interactive guessing game dispelling myths about climate change, a touchscreen carbon calculator which gives people an opportunity to see how their personal choices measure up on an international standard, and a demonstration of ways people can make a difference in their homes and daily lives.

ART GALLERY

Visit our Art Galleries for inspiring shows that showcase local artists.

OBSERVATION BRIDGE

OBSERVATION BRIDGE

The Observation Bridge transports pedestrians across Henderson Creek with educational signs luring visitors to explore their surroundings, such as looking down at the water passing under the bridge to see which way it is flowing. Salinity is the name of the game here, and summer rains across the watershed fill the creek with rushing waters, diluting the salinity and triggering creatures of the estuary to reproduce. From the bridge it’s possible to see manatees, tarpon, and even sharks when conditions are right.

As the bridge begins to slope down to meet the ground, visitors experience a brief trek through tangled mangroves, palms and oaks. Resurrection ferns, bromeliads, and even orchids can be seen growing along the furrowed cracks of oak tree bark. Looking up, it is easy to see the pockmarks of pileated woodpeckers and other insectivores in the upper reaches of expired pine snags.

NATURE TRAILS

Three 1/2-mile walking trails.

NATURE TRAILS

Along the Snail Trail, it is easy to forget you’re less than ten miles away from the city limits of both Naples and Marco Island. The Snail Trail encourages explorers to use all their senses to connect intimately with the natural world, meandering slowly like a snail, and includes a boardwalk/viewing platform at the water’s edge. Visitors can take the ½-mile walking trail with a surface suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, or two more ½-mile, unsurfaced trails for the more “adventurous” explorers.  What you’ll see:

  • An old homestead dating back to post-Civil War times when squatters began to farm this rugged terrain.
  • A primitive swale system designed to drain the land during driving summer rains.
  • Sanseveria (an ornamental plant commonly associated with early homesteads).
  • A cement rainwater storage cistern that collected rainwater running off the old home’s roof and stored it through the dry winter months, when it could be used for cooking and watering livestock.

PICNIC AREA

PICNIC AREA

Take in nature and views of Henderson Creek while enjoying lunch or a snack in the shade on our back patio or under the Chickee Hut. Snacks are available for purchase in the Nature Store.

NATURE STORE

Every item purchased helps to support the efforts of the Friends of Rookery Bay.

NATURE STORE

Welcome to the Rookery Bay Nature Store, where every purchase supports Friends of Rookery Bay and its mission to provide resources for Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s education, research and conservation programs. Here you’ll find an assortment of wonderful gifts to purchase for your family or maybe bring back a souvenir for yourself.

You can now purchase select items in the comfort of your own home. Free Shipping with every purchase! Saw something you liked in our store during your visit? Email naturestore@rookerybay.org with your request.

Nature Store Hours

Tuesday – Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm
Sunday & Monday: Closed

FACILITY RENTALS

We accommodate indoor/outdoor and day/evening functions.

FACILITY RENTALS

We accommodate indoor/outdoor and day/evening functions.
• Meetings
• Special Celebrations
• Evening Socials
• Birthday Parties
• Unique Wedding Venue
• Workshops or Seminars

*Additional $400 security & cleaning fee (subject to change)

Capacity: 130 seats | Rate: $200/hr, $1,500/daily
Theater with padded seats and side tables.
Equipped with projector and sound system.
Environmental Learning Center admission included.
Capacity: 18-U-shape; 21-classroom style; 25-theater style | Rate: $75/hr (per room), $500/daily
For smaller meetings, lectures or workshops.
Equipped with projector and screen.
Environmental Learning Center admission included.
Capacity: 200 | Rate: $500/hr, $1,500/daily
Includes the Patio, Chickee, and Open Courtyard.
Evening functions ONLY; starting after 4:30pm.
Outside catering vendor required.*
Capacity: 200 | Rate: $800/hr, $5,000/daily
Includes the Exhibit Hall, Mezzanine, Classrooms and Auditorium.
Evening functions ONLY; starting after 4:30pm.
Outside catering vendor required.*

Stay Connected with Us!

E-Newsletter

Keep up-to-date on the latest news, events, research, and fun happenings at Rookery Bay!