Friends of Rookery Bay, Inc.

The Friends of Rookery Bay works with local community partners to support needed environmental education, research, and habitat restoration within the 110,000-acre Rookery Bay Reserve. Target populations for the Friends of Rookery Bay include residents and seasonal visitors, students and decision-makers. The Friends of Rookery Bay seeks long-term sustainability of the ecologic and economic values of the 110,000-acre Rookery Bay Reserve, by engaging the local community in active and informed stewardship of the coastal environment,  and securing increased capacity to meet changing needs of the Reserve in the future.

The Friends of Rookery Bay is working to achieve it's priority goals through five key strategies:1. Conducting community outreach and education designed to increase awareness and understanding of environmental and economic values associated with the coastal environment. The Friends of Rookery Bay accomplishes this strategy through targeted outreach to local community interests, and hosting special events and programs at Rookery Bay. 2. Supporting needed environmental education and research projects within the Rookery Bay Reserve through volunteerism, fundraising, grants and partnerships.3. Securing increased capacity to meet needs of the Rookery Bay Reserve through strategic partnerships within the local community. 4. Developing and sustaining membership in the organization, that in turn supports volunteerism within the Rookery Bay Reserve, and contributes to increased community awareness and involvement in environmental stewardship.5. Developing donor relationships within the local community that can help support ongoing work, and establish a Legacy gift program that invests in the endowment fund for long-term sustainability of mission support.

The Friends of Rookery Bay currently has a membership of over 500 active volunteers, many of whom contribute time to direct support of education, research, and restoration programs at Rookery Bay during the year. This year, over 11,200 hours have been donated by members to help priority needs.  In August 2017, the Friends of Rookery Bay hired a new full-time Executive Director, responsible for working with the Board of Directors to accomplish the goals and strategies outlined above. In addition, the current Board of Directors for the Friends of Rookery Bay consists of key individuals representing important collaborative partnerships (e.g. FGCU, Minto Communities), and community leadership in a position to assist the organization with achieving it's goals. The Friends of Rookery Bay also established a Leadership Council, comprised of key individuals within the community who have agreed to contribute their time and expertise to the organization on an as needed basis.  The Council currently includes former State Legislator Dudley Goodlette, nationally recognized marine scientist Dr. Ellen Prager, and Mote Marine Laboratory's chief scientist Dr. Bob Hueter.

The Friends of Rookery Bay has accomplished key tasks related to long-term goals this year, and continues to work towards successful outcomes. Recent progress includes the successful development of key collaborative partnerships (e.g. FGCU's Department of Marine and Ecological Sciences, Mote Marine Laboratory, and Minto Communities); establishing Rookery Bay's Ambassador team to conduct targeted outreach to local community interests; securing over $50,000 in funds through grants from Martin Foundation, Walmart Foundation,  Blair Foundation and others to support needed education and outreach programs; creating the organization's first successful donor development event with the Island Soiree in February 2016; successfully raising funds through the Batfish Bash for the Bay and other events in 2016;  and recruiting key individuals from the local community to the Board of Directors with the capability to help the organization achieve priority goals. In addition, the Friends has established a Leadership Council that provides the basis for ongoing support and assistance from key individuals including Dudley Goodlette, Dr. Ellen Prager, and Dr. Bob Hueter. Council members contribute services and support on an as needed basis. In the coming three years, the Friends of Rookery Bay seeks to establish a robust Legacy Gift endowment fund that will help provide sustainable support for key programs; build community partnerships with local community interests that encourage environmental volunteerism, and expand strategic partnerships with other non-profits in the environmental arena.