FRIENDS OF ROOKERY BAY

OUR MISSION & IMPACT

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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

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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.
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History

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

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PARTNERS

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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 Collier 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

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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: Gary Lytton

Call for Nominations

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

Sharon Sutton: Accountant
Email: s.sutton@rookerybay.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 Manager
Phone: 239-530-5977
Email: visitors@rookerybay.org

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

DOCUMENTATION

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Legal Documents

Florida Statute – Citizen Support Organizations

Articles of Incorporation – 1987

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation – 1990

IRS Determination Letter – 2006

Bylaws – Amended April 2022

CSO Code of Ethics – 2019

Board of Director Conflict of Interest and Ethics – Updated 2023

Citizen Support Organization Agreement (CSO)- 2019

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Financial Documents

Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption – 2023 to 2028

Florida Annual Resale Certificate for Tax Sales – 2023

Financial Policy – 2019

Gift Acceptance Policy – 2019

Investment Policy – Updated 2022

Tangible Property Donation Form – 2019

Friends of Rookery Bay Form 990 – 2021

Stay Connected with Us!

E-Newsletter

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