SUMMER 2015 • VOLUME 45 • ISSUE 1 preservation, LETTER...

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT LBC Teamwork Makes A Difference COPYRIGHT © 2015 LEMON BAY CONSERVANCY SUMMER 2015 • VOLUME 45 • ISSUE 1 for the preservation, protection and acquisition of natural areas important in maintaining the ecological balance of Lemon Bay and adjacent waters LBC President Jim Cooper Teamwork Makes A Difference Letter from the President 1 STEM Camp at Wildflower 2 Wildflower Design Underway 4 Members Day on the Water 5 What’s Up in the Watershed 6 Grand Day on Boca Grande! 7 Welcome Aboard 8 The 2015 Giving Challenge! 9 Jelks Family Foundation 10 Thanks to Our Professionals 10 Memberships are Vital 11 Wildflower Volunteer Dinner 12 The 2015 winter-spring season came to a spectacular close with two great events: the Gasparilla Island Kids’ Classic Tarpon Tournament and the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Marine Sciences summer camp at Wildflower Preserve. These extremely successful events are the result of Lemon Bay Conservancy’s educational conservation partnerships with two important community organizations—Boca Grande Charities and the Charlotte County Public School System. Lemon Bay Conservancy was honored to be named the Conservation Sponsor of the 2015 Kids’ Classic tournament and to receive a generous donation from Boca Grande Charities that will be used to fund on- going STEM educational projects at Wildflower Preserve. I thank all those involved: Captain Sandy Melvin and the Board of Boca Grande Charities; Charlotte County School System administrators Nick Pisciatelli, Marcia Louden, Michelle Wier, Bob Bennett and teachers Andrea Green and Susan Chabot; their school support staff and parent volunteers; Dr. Bill Dunson, Bob Cooper, Dave Clayton, Mick Aslin, and all the LBC volunteers who have worked tirelessly on these wonderful events. Please read on for reports and photos of these events in this newsletter. June also brought the successful expansion of LBC’s partnership with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to redesign and restore the wetlands and native habitats of Wildflower continued on page 2 In This Issue

Transcript of SUMMER 2015 • VOLUME 45 • ISSUE 1 preservation, LETTER...

Page 1: SUMMER 2015 • VOLUME 45 • ISSUE 1 preservation, LETTER ...lemonbayconservancy.org/.../08/Lemon-Bay-Newsletter... · Clayton, Mick Aslin, and all the LBC volunteers who have worked

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

LBC Teamwork Makes A Difference

COPYRIGHT © 2015 LEMON BAY CONSERVANCY

S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 • V O L U M E 4 5 • I S S U E 1

for the preservation, protection and acquisition of natural areas important in maintaining the ecological balance of Lemon Bay and adjacent waters

LBC President Jim Cooper Teamwork Makes A Difference

Letter from the President 1 STEM Camp at Wildflower 2 Wildflower Design Underway 4 Members Day on the Water 5 What’s Up in the Watershed 6 Grand Day on Boca Grande! 7 Welcome Aboard 8 The 2015 Giving Challenge! 9 Jelks Family Foundation 10 Thanks to Our Professionals 10Memberships are Vital 11 Wildflower Volunteer Dinner 12

The 2015 winter-spring season came to a spectacular close with two great events: the Gasparilla Island Kids’ Classic Tarpon Tournament and the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Marine Sciences summer camp at Wildflower Preserve. These extremely

successful events are the result of Lemon Bay Conservancy’s educational conservation partnerships with two important community organizations—Boca Grande Charities and the Charlotte County Public School System. Lemon Bay Conservancy was honored to be named the Conservation Sponsor of the 2015 Kids’ Classic tournament and to receive a generous donation from Boca Grande Charities that will be used to fund on-going STEM educational projects at Wildflower Preserve. I thank all those involved: Captain Sandy Melvin and

the Board of Boca Grande Charities; Charlotte County School System administrators Nick Pisciatelli, Marcia Louden, Michelle Wier, Bob Bennett and teachers Andrea Green and Susan Chabot; their school support staff and parent volunteers; Dr. Bill Dunson, Bob Cooper, Dave Clayton, Mick Aslin, and all the LBC volunteers who have worked tirelessly on these wonderful events. Please read on for reports and photos of these events in this newsletter.

June also brought the successful expansion of LBC’s partnership with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to redesign and restore the wetlands and native habitats of Wildflower

continued on page 2

In This Issue

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Officers Jim Cooper

President 941.830.8922

[email protected]

Percy Angelo Vice President 941.830.8922

[email protected]

Hilary Dahms Secretary

941.830.8922 [email protected]

Walter Meanwell Treasurer

941.830.8922 [email protected]

DIRECTORS Eva Furner, Irene Slattery, Dean Hanewinckel, Ralph Montgomery

and Adam Cummings

NEWSLETTER Hilary Dahms / Committee Chair

[email protected]

©2015 Lemon Bay Conservancy No portion of the content may be reproduced without the express

permission of the Lemon Bay Conservancy

Lemon Bay Conservancy, Inc. 2980 Placida Rd., Suite 201 Englewood, Florida 34224

941.830.8922 [email protected]

Stay in touch at our Website www.lemonbayconservancy.org

Preserve. Through a $200,000 grant, SWFWMD has engaged Scheda Ecological Associates to begin the work that will triple the acreage of existing estuarine wetlands, double the freshwater wetlands, and ensure the preservation of our vital tarpon and snook nurseries. This accomplishment is the result of months of work by dedicated LBC board members Eva Furner, Percy Angelo, Jim Cooper, and Ralph Montgomery and our popular Wildflower LBC volunteer guide, Bill Dunson. We are sincerely thankful for their efforts!

Our members and volunteers continue to be the lifeblood of our organization. If we are to continue to be successful in our mission to preserve and protect our sensitive coastal lands, we need the continued ongoing support of our members and friends. As you can see from the events and activities of the last few months, we have accomplished a great deal, but there is still much more to do. You can help in three ways: through your donations, through your membership and with your time. On Sept. 1st, you have a special opportunity to double the value of your donation through the 24-hour Giving Challenge. (See details on page 9.) If you haven’t yet renewed your membership for 2015, you’ll find a membership form on page 11. And, if you’d like to volunteer, please call the office to tell us about your interests. Together, we CAN and WILL continue to make a significant difference!

In November of 2014, teachers and administrators from L.A. Ainger Middle School and

Lemon Bay High School visited Wildflower Preserve seeking opportunities for students to use the Preserve for in-depth scientific studies. Accompanied by naturalists Bill Dunson and Dave Clayton, they explored the trails. Within the next few months a commitment was made to create a “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) camp at Wildflower.

On February 3, 2015 an exciting new proposal was introduced by Dominic “Nick” Piscitelli, STEM Curriculum Specialist for Charlotte County Public Schools. Select students from L.A. Ainger and Lemon Bay High School would attend summer science camps at Wildflower Preserve where they would complete their Edison Regional Science Fair projects. They could also participate in exclusive water testing and fish habitat research, giving them an appreciation of the precious waterways where they live. Data collected would be stored at L.A. Ainger and the new

S.T.E.M. Camp at Wildflower Preserve

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LBHS aquaculture lab for all future generations to use.

Teachers Andy Green and Susan Chabot, Principal Marcia Louden, and Vice Principal Michelle Wier, along with Cheryl Tough and Jim Cooper of Lemon Bay Conservancy coordinated and planned the future events. On March 28th, a gathering of staff, students, parents, scientists, sponsors and volunteers met at Wildflower for the initial activities which would lead to the June 9-17th Marine Science STEM camp.

As the June camp began, each student used school computers to identified a topic area for study and developed a research hypothesis. Then, they gathered and analyzed data, drew conclusions, and created presentations. As part of the camp activities, the

students also had the opportunity to observe fish research being conducted at Wildflower Preserve and to participate in a kayak trip hosted by Hooked on SUP.

At a banquet on June 19th, the students presented their findings to an audience that included their parents and the camp sponsors. The presentations showed the wide range in

their research interests. Examples include: exploring the “ecosystem” within a Washingtonian Palm, investigating linkages between tarpon and dissolved oxygen, studying the impacts of exotic vegetation on surrounding plant species, and assessing how sunlight affects duckweed growth.

A great partnership has been established. Lemon Bay Conservancy and Charlotte County Public Schools as well as Captain Sandy Melvin of

STEM Camp Students, Teachers and Sponsors

Dr. Dunson talks with STEM students

STEM students explore Wildflower

Seining at Wildflower

Boca Grande Charities have joined together to support this wonderful new STEM research at Wildflower. Capt. Sandy hosts and runs the annual Gasparilla Kids Classic Tarpon Fishing Tournament which will generously sponsor and donate funds to this new and vital project.

A special thanks should go to Nick Piscitelli for his dedication in seeing this project through. Congratulations to all.

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Wildflower design underway!

Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) is pleased to announce that work

is underway on a habitat restoration design for Wildflower Preserve, located off Placida Road on the Cape Haze peninsula. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is providing $200,000 in funding for this design project through its Cooperative Funding Initiative.

SWFWMD cooperative funding requires matching funds from the fund recipient and LBC is able to provide its funding share through our purchase costs for Wildflower Preserve.

SWFWMD has engaged Scheda Ecological Associates as the lead contractor for the design effort. Thomas Ries, executive vice president and principal scientist, heads the Scheda team. Tom and Scheda have completed more than

90 restoration and stormwater retrofit projects, restoring over 2,400 acres. They have received numerous local and national awards in recognition of their efforts.

LBC, Scheda, and SWFWMD representatives held a project kickoff meeting in December 2014. The Concept Plan was completed in early April and 30% Design

Plans are scheduled for completion in September 2015. A public information meeting is planned for January 2016. The design and permitting effort is scheduled for 100% completion in July 2016.

SWFWMD senior environmental scientist Stephanie Powers commented on the value of this habitat restoration project: “By increasing the wetland areas within Wildflower Preserve, restoring more natural water flows, and adding native plantings, the restoration project will

improve the quality of water entering Lemon Bay, increase resilience of neighboring communities to the potential impacts of climate change, enhance freshwater and estuarine fisheries, expand wading and shorebird habitat, and improve overall ecosystem function within the Charlotte Harbor watershed.”

The initial concept plans call for tripling the acreage of the existing estuarine wetlands and doubling the freshwater wetland acreage. Design elements include adding new littoral zones to existing creek and pond areas, improving connectivity between wetland areas, removing invasive exotic

vegetation, and planting native trees and shrubs.

Following the design phase, SWFWMD has budgeted an additional $550,000 for project construction. LBC is working with SWFWMD to identify additional donors and grant sources to contribute to construction efforts.

Lemon Bay Conservancy is proud of our most significant habitat restoration project to date and gratefully acknowledges the efforts of all those involved.

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March 19th turned out to be a perfect day for a boat trip on Lemon

Bay for thirty LBC members and guests. Led by Eva Furner and Dr. Bill Dunson, the group joined Captain Bruce LaMotte aboard the Lemon Bay Tours pontoon boat and set off for a wonderful day exploring the waters and islands of the bay.

To the delight of all on board, as the boat approached Stump Pass a pod of some twelve to twenty dolphins put on a joyous display-- rolling, jumping, slapping, and chasing each other. Many pink bellies were seen-apparently a sign that love was in the air. The trip paused, and paused and paused some more. It was hard to keep to a schedule when there was so much to see! We’d like to pretend that LBC had planned the whole show, but spring and nature probably had more to do with it.

The voyage continued past Whidden and Peterson Islands,

two small mangrove islands in the bay. Eva reminded us that Lemon Bay Conservancy was originally formed in 1971 to protect these

islands from development as trailer parks. Throughout the tour, we heard of the many successful preservation efforts of LBC: Cedar Point Park where LBC led the preservation efforts; Wildflower Preserve which protects one of the watersheds that feeds the bay and its marine habitats; and Palm Island where LBC has recently acquired the Hidden Lake property, another unique marine habitat.

Captain LaMotte nudged the boat to shore on Palm Island where passengers disembarked

to join Dr. Dunson, a retired Penn State biology professor, on a guided beach walk. Entertaining as always, Dr. Dunson provided fascinating information on the shells, plants and beach life found there.

As the tour headed back, our guides pointed out the mangrove fringe on Sandpiper Key on the south side of Beach Road that has been proposed for development as Lemon Bay Cove condominiums. Members were told of the continued LBC efforts to oppose this destruction. LBC has also opposed the deletion of wetland protections in the Charlotte County comp plan proceedings discussed in “What’s Up In The Watershed” elsewhere in this newsletter. The mangroves and the creeks that connect to Lemon

Bay are crucial to the health of the bay and inspire our efforts to protect them.

LBC is the only local conservancy working to protect Lemon Bay and its watershed and

takes pride in its efforts and the incredible dedication and persistence of its members over the years. In a small way perhaps LBC and its members can take some credit for the incredible wild dolphin show after all.

Members Day on the Water

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In a previous newsletter we reported on changes Charlotte County has

made to its Comprehensive Plan regulating land use. The County changes eliminated many environmental protections and relaxed standards for the transfer of density units, allowing easier transfer of density (more residential units) to areas such as Placida and its Coastal High Hazard Area.

Appeals of the County changes were filed by the Sierra Club and the Friends of Cape Haze, Inc., a local group dedicated to protection of the environment of the Cape Haze peninsula. These two groups, along with the Lemon Bay Conservancy, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association and other local organizations and individuals participated in the proceeding before the County, opposing the changes, without success. A hearing on the Sierra Club and Friends of Cape Haze, Inc. appeals was scheduled for July 27-29, 2015.

Two landowners in the Placida area, the current owner of the Fishery property and the

owner of the Mercabo property intervened in the case on the side of the County.

After discovery and depositions in the case the County proposed to rescind all of its changes to the Comp Plan, with the understanding that the appeal would then be dismissed. At its hearing on July 14 the County did just that, providing a complete but possibly temporary victory.

The Comp Plan changes were extensive and include elimination of wetland protection rules at the County level. Many standards for the transfer of density units are also eliminated. A key concern of the environmental and local groups is that the transfer of density into the Coastal High Hazard Area which rings the coastline around the portion of Charlotte County west of the Myakka could increase hurricane evacuation times which already substantially exceed state standards. Currently the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council calculates Charlotte County evacuation times as over 40 hours for all but the lowest level tropical storm. For barrier islands such as Gasparilla Island or for more isolated areas such as the Cape Haze peninsula

there is concern that evacuation routes could be cut off, a concern which is exacerbated by longer evacuation times.

An additional concern raised by the Friends of Cape Haze and the Sierra Club is that the County early this year proposed zoning changes which would create a planned development category of zoning which could go up to 65 units per acre. This category has not yet been adopted but the idea that the County believes that any area within the County is suitable for 65 units per acre is troubling.

The County’s rescission of its Comp Plan changes is a relief for now, but the County and lawyers for the Fishery and Mercabo owners made it clear that they intend to try again.

So the Friends of Cape Haze/Sierra Club appeal was successful but the threat of inappropriate development for this area is by no means over. We will continue to keep our members updated as this matter goes forward.

If these issues are important to you, participation in any County proposal is vital so that the County understands and responds to the desires and goals of area residents.

What’s Up in the Watershed A Victory but the Threat Continues

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Boca Grande was buzzing with activity early on the morning of Saturday,

June 6th. Tents popped up on the lawn of the Community Center and lined the sidewalks of downtown Boca Grande as the representatives of many local civic organizations and charities joined the festival that has become a local tradition: The Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament. Established in 2011 by Capt. Sandy Melvin founder of Boca Grande Charities, the Kids Classic is a tournament for kids, ages 15 years and under, that highlights responsible fishing practices, good sportsmanship, and kids helping other kids. 100% of the tournament proceeds are donated to youth-centered organizations and programs.

This year’s recipients are the Lemon Bay Conservancy and Charlotte County School System’s Tarpon Research Initiative STEM Camp, the All Children’s Hospital Music Therapy Program, Moffitt Cancer Center’s Family First Program, the Englewood Community Care Clinic, and the Boca Grande Cowninshield Community House.

The hot breezy weather was perfect for children of all ages to enjoy the carnival activities—the pony rides, the dunk tank, the giant Slip ‘n Slide, the food and ice cream vendors and games on the green—while their parents and other adults strolled through the marine wildlife art show.

The Lemon Bay Conservancy information booth located outside

Gasparilla Outfitters was manned by student and adult volunteers from L.A. Ainger Middle School and Lemon Bay High School. LBC President, Jim Cooper reported that the kids did a terrific job explaining and promoting the STEM camp project at Wildflower

Preserve and serving as LBC ambassadors.

The official tournament opened at 4:30 p.m. with ceremonies at the Boca Grande lighthouse beach. LBC President Jim Cooper delivered a conservation message, and the Lemon Bay High School ROTC presented the nation’s colors, followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. The Charlotte County Warbirds Vintage Aircraft Club performed a fly-over salute to veterans and active duty servicemen and women. With this stirring send-off, the competition began at 5:00 p.m. Twenty-nine boats filled with 116 kids fished from 5-8 p.m., recording 9 catches and releases and a whole lot of action in the Pass. All the excitement

was captured on video that can be viewed on the web at the following address: https://vimeo.com/131695106.

The awards ceremonies took place at 8:45 at

the Boca Grande Community Center with the First Place prize going to Team Gardner-Gibson representing Moffitt Cancer Center. Pizza and ice cream for all and live entertainment followed—a perfect ending to a great day!

A Grand Day on Boca Grande!

Tournament boats line the waterway

STEM helpers at the LBC booth

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Bond Lawyers.

Since establishing his practice in Englewood, Dean has been very active in many aspects of the community. He is a past president of the Englewood Area Chamber of Commerce and has served on its board of directors for six years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Manatee Community College Foundation and was president of the Englewood Advisory Board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. He is an active member of the Sunrise Rotary Club.

In addition to his law practice, Dean has authored a newspaper column and several books on estate planning and real estate law issues. His professional experience and interest in environmental issues make him a great addition to the LBC team. Dean, his wife Nancy and four children live in Nokomis.

Welcome Aboard!

Lemon Bay Conservancy is pleased to welcome Adam Cummings as

a new member of the Board. He is a former Charlotte County Commissioner who

was known for advocacy of the environment and growth management. A longtime friend of the Conservancy, he was an important participant in the Wildflower and phosphate strip mining issues. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from Texas A&M University at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University, an unlimited tonnage ships officer’s license and a lieutenant’s honorable discharge from the United States Naval Reserve Merchant Marine.

Adam is a financial advisor who provides a wide range of services through his office

in downtown Punta Gorda. In addition to volunteering for Lemon Bay Conservancy, he is an active supporter of Friends of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, TEAM Punta Gorda, the City of Punta Gorda, the Lifelong Learning Institute, the Renaissance Academy, Learn to Sail, and participates in the Dr. Suess reading program at local elementary schools. Adam and his wife Terry reside in Punta Gorda with their two sons, Devin and Colin

Another new face on the Board belongs to local Englewood attorney, Dean Hanewinckle. Dean was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in

business administration and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida. He has been practicing law in the Englewood area since 1984. He is a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, the Charlotte County and Sarasota County Bar Associations and was a past member of the National Association of

Have you been receiving our emails about events, nature walks and environmental news? If not, we don’t have your email address! Please send a quick email to [email protected] to let us know how to reach you.

Get All the LBC News

Adam Cummings

Dean Hanewinckle

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Beginning at noon on September 1st, Lemon Bay Conservancy will

join non-profits from around our region in participating in the 24-hour Giving Challenge. As you can see in this newsletter, LBC is pursuing important projects in our community. The 2015 Giving Challenge is a great opportunity to support LBC’s efforts and double the impact of your donation! The Patterson Foundation has committed to match up to $250 from every donor who supports LBC during the 2015 Giving Challenge and who did not donate during last year’s

online challenge.

In May 2014, 43 donors helped LBC raise over $12,000 during the 2014 Giving Challenge. While we’d very much appreciate repeat donations from last year’s Giving Challenge contributors, those donors are excluded from this year’s matching grant challenge. Everyone else is eligible to have your donation matched! So, please mark your calendars to participate.

Between noon on Sept.1 and noon on Sept. 2, go to: www.givingpartnerchallenge.org. Search for Lemon Bay Conservancy and make your donation of $25 or more. Only

online donations made through the website qualify for matching funds.

If you are on our email distribution list or you’ve “liked” our Facebook page, you’ll see reminders about the Challenge from us as September 1st approaches!

The 2015 Giving Challenge is made possible by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and The Patterson Foundation with support from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation, and the Herald - Tribune Media Group.

24-Hours to Double Your Donation to LBC: The 2015 Giving Challenge!

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When asked, “Why do you volunteer?” a number of our members have said that they want to preserve and protect their own backyard. We, who live in southwest Florida full-time, part-time or visit occasionally, have the privilege of experiencing one of the most beautiful environments on the planet.

Our members and friends know that to preserve these unique lands and waters, we must be active participants in their protection. Our pioneering programs, the restoration of ecosystems at Wildflower Preserve and the Tarpon Habitat Preservation program are exciting examples of what volunteers can accomplish. Do you have time and talents to share?

Lemon Bay Conservancy is always looking for new volunteers to help us achieve our mission. Please consider joining us. We have volunteer opportunities available on several committees for grant writers, website and newsletter reporters, special event coordinators, trail guides, forestry and garden workers, marine life monitors, and public speakers to take our informative and educational programs to the community at large. These are exciting times for LBC. Come and be a part of it! Call us at 941-830-8922 to make a difference in your backyard.

GET INVOLVED!Thanks to Our Volunteer Professionals

Two landscaping professionals are taking time out from their

busy schedules to volunteer at Wildflower Preserve this summer.

Garry Hendricks is working with volunteer Roy Ault on mowing of the Wildflower trails and meadows. With the summer rains, everything is growing quickly, so they have quite a job keeping the grounds in good condition.

Brian Phillips brought his backhoe to the Preserve recently to help volunteers Maura Qualls and Joe Gallagher spread out a large mulch pile in the butterfly habitat and has offered to help with future projects.

Our thanks to Garry and Brian for joining our very dedicated summer volunteer crew at the Preserve! Garry can be reached at [email protected], telephone 941-525-7187. Brian can be contacted at Phillips Landscape Contractors, 941-270-1055 or 941-473-8802.

Jelks Family Foundation Supports Wildflower

Recently, LBC received a $3,000 donation from the Jelks Family Foundation. This is the latest in a series of donations from the Foundation that have helped support Wildflower Preserve.

It’s easy to forget that maintaining a preserve takes a lot of effort, a lot of equipment, and a lot of funding. The Jelks Family Foundation donations have helped us buy a mower, rent chippers, purchase hand tools, create signage, maintain equipment and in many, many other ways. Thank you to the Jelks Family for your important ongoing support!

“It’s easy to forget that maintaining a preserve takes a lot of effort”

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Membership dollars form the bedrock of operations at LBC. Your membership dollars support all the functions necessary to fund our projects and carry out our mission. Your support is essential. If you are reading this newsletter and have not yet renewed your membership for 2015, please do so now.

Not sure if you’re a 2015 member? If you see two asterisks (**) after your name on the address label on page 12, that means we have not received your 2015 membership payment. We have accomplished great things this year, and with your continued support we can continue make a difference!

Memberships Are Vital!

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2980 Placida Road Suite 201Englewood, Florida 34224www.lemonbayconservancy.org

On March 24th, fifty Wildflower Preserve volunteers and their

Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers (L-to-R): Kneeling: Jim Cooper, Irene Slattery, Lucia Schatteleyn, Don Hamilton, Hilary Dahms, Eva Furner, Penny Rieley. Standing: Vanessa Smith (office manager), Ken Marlow, Walter Meanwell, Margaret Dunson, Carolyn Marlow, Bill Dunson, Ruth Wilson, Nancy Clayton, Maura Qualls, Bob Winter, Jane Wallace, Chuck Devette, Per Christiansen, Gayle Duch, Tom Duch, Abbie Banks, Tim Carmean (partially hidden), Don Rippeon, Bob Cooper, Dave Clayton, Bob Hildebrand, Roy Ault, Jane Frentzel, George Frentzel, Sue Murphy, Garry Hendricks, John Mullins, Pam Neer

Wildflower Volunteers Recognized

guests gathered for an evening of fun and recognition at the Cape Haze Community Center.

Speeches, a slideshow, dinner, door prizes and even an ice cream truck were provided.

A special focus of the evening was the recognition of LBC volunteers who have completed 5-years of dedicated service in support of Wildflower Preserve. Volunteers recognized with newly designed LBC 5-year service lapel pins included: Bill Dunson, Margaret Dunson, Lucia Schatteleyn, Jane Wallace, Maura Qualls, Jane Frentzel, George Frentzel, Carolyn Marlow, Ken Marlow, Bob Cooper, Per Christiansen, Sue Murphy, Bob Hildebrand, Dave Clayton, Jim Cooper, Percy Angelo, Walter Meanwell, Hilary Dahms, and Eva Furner.

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