The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has bestowed its highest honor, the Eagle Award, on seven individuals whose exemplary leadership has grown Magic Under the Mangroves into one of the region’s premier fundraising galas.
The 2019 Eagle Award recipients – Sue Dalton, Maureen Lerner, Nancy White, Jeannie Meg Smith, Lynne Shotwell, William Boyajian and Carol Dinardo – each have served as chairs of Magic Under the Mangroves. The eco-chic event is held each March in Naples and features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, an elegant plated dinner, music, a silent auction and live auction.
Over the past 14 years, Magic Under the Mangroves has raised more than $10 million to enhance the Conservancy’s mission of protecting Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife and future. Proceeds help fund scientific research, education programs, policy development, advocacy and wildlife rehabilitation.
Each year, the Conservancy presents its prestigious Eagle Awards to individuals and organizations that provide outstanding leadership on environmental causes, shepherd philanthropic initiatives and participate in grassroots activism. The Conservancy presented the awards during a Jan. 9 ceremony at Tesla in Waterside Shops.
“These seven individuals have poured their time and energy into Magic Under the Mangroves to serve as event chairs, sometimes more than once,” said Rob Moher, president and CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. “They’ve certainly been instrumental in the event’s success, but their dedication and determination also have elevated the Conservancy’s visibility on a regional and national scale.”
Magic Under the Mangroves is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2019. The event will be held Thursday, March 7 at the Conservancy Nature Center, 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples. Individual tickets are $750, and patron packages start at $3,500. For more information, please visit Conservancy.org/Magic or call 239-403-4200.
