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<\/p>\nAs we take stock in what we enjoy most about Southwest Florida, we are reminded that protecting our water, land and wildlife is the only way we can sustain the quality of life we all treasure.<\/p>\n
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That’s why we call on you to partner with us as advocates, champions and generous donors. I invite you to read more about the Conservancy’s first major campaign in more than a decade. This is our opportunity to meet the urgent challenges of the day and also prepare for an unknown future. Together, we will protect and sustain the natural beauty around us. Together, we will protect our treasured quality of life – Now & Forever<\/em>.<\/p>\n – Rob Moher, President & CEO<\/strong><\/p>\n\t Continued surges in population growth. Changing weather patterns and record-breaking heat. Increasingly powerful hurricanes. Damaged mangroves and estuaries that put coastal communities at risk. More red tide alerts and beach closings.<\/p>\n This is the reality we face – today and far into the future – if we sit idly and choose to do nothing. Let’s be clear. Some of these disruptions are here to stay. None have quick fixes. These are not someone else’s problems; they belong to those of us who live here.<\/p>\n And, most importantly, we can manage and lessen the impact if we stand together to protect our environment and our quality of life.<\/em><\/p>\n Clean water and healthy estuaries and rivers. Spectacular beaches and coastal preserves. Beautiful open spaces and parks. Native wildlife sanctuaries. The wonders of the Western Everglades.<\/p>\n Why us?<\/strong> What sets us apart?<\/p>\n Until you need us, I don’t think you realize how important we are.” Those words from a staff member speak to the quiet impact the Conservancy has had on our quality of life for over six decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n We’ve earned our reputation and the trust of the public in large part because of these points of distinction:<\/p>\n Why now?<\/strong> What’s at stake?<\/p>\n Environmental organizations and conservation groups across America are facing stiff headwinds. It’s no wonder many are playing it safe. Cutting back on services. Unwilling to think big.<\/p>\n Not the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Complacency is not in our genetic makeup, even as we recognize the challenges ahead:<\/p>\n We need a Conservancy at its best to take on these challenges. A Conservancy that stands for our communities and residents. A Conservancy that provides common-sense solutions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t Our preliminary campaign goal of $70 million is bold – as is our vision. Two pillars rise to the level of urgency and large-scale investment needed to drive the change we envision.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t Preliminary Goal: $50M<\/strong>This goal will strengthen and sustain the funding of the Conservancy’s core teams who power our initiatives, including those in environmental research, public policy advocacy, education, and wildlife rehabilitation through endowment and core program funding.\u00a0 This level of endowment funding will allow the Conservancy to cover a third of its annual investment into its mission work while the remaining budget continues to be funded through, and dependent upon,\u00a0generous annual philanthropic support from members and donors. This campaign goal is driven by the understanding that a strong, community supported, and independent Conservancy is essential now more than ever to protect our water, land, wildlife and our shared future.<\/p>\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t Preliminary Goal: $20M<\/strong>This transforms the Conservancy’s public-facing nature center into an interactive, world-class nature destination to encourage greater mission-inspired community action and develop the conservationists of tomorrow. Of the $25 million grant from the John & Carol Walter Family Foundation, $18 million will fund the creation of the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience and the remaining $7 million will establish two permanent endowments to support the goals of the Nature Experience for decades to come. The Conservancy is beginning this transformational change that will offer new learning experiences through hands-on and dynamic exhibits, programs, and immersive natural settings opening in early 2028. This reimagined Nature Experience will increase public engagement, elevate visibility of conservation issues and opportunities, and connect us to a wider group of supporters, volunteers and advocates.<\/p>\t\t\n\t For questions or inquiries, email campaign@conservancy.org<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t With the challenges before us, it’s paramount that we invest in our staffing and programs to fully deliver on our mission to protect our water, land and wildlife – and our future.<\/strong><\/p>\n The rising cost of doing business in Southwest Florida continues to challenge us, especially as the cost of living spirals. Simply sustaining what we’re already doing places severe pressure on the operating budget. Additionally, we must balance present realities with future challenges. Even as we invest in immediate priorities, we must also build our endowment to sustain our mission and impact far into the future.<\/p>\n\t Investments in staffing will expand and bolster key initiatives, including adding a dedicated position to oversee land management, a critical area of expertise currently lacking at the Conservancy.<\/p>\n We must also ensure that our staff can afford the increased cost of day-to-day living as the price of everyday necessities continues to rise. A prime example: Apartment rentals in Southwest Florida are now only slightly lower than in cities like Los Angeles and San Diego.<\/p>\n Securing investments to attract and retain the most accomplished professionals in the field is one of our top priorities. The enormity of the challenges ahead demands no less.<\/p>\n By growing our endowment – including endowing and naming key leadership positions and programs – we will further position the Conservancy as a destination for world-class talent.<\/p>\n The most important lesson the Conservancy has learned in 60-plus years is that we are only as good as the people who work here.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t With your support, we will meet the moment by endowing critical programs within the four departments that shape our identity and protect our quality of life in the five-county region:<\/strong><\/p>\n An endowment is a pillar, not a piggy bank – a perpetual savings account funded by gifts of cash, securities and\/or real property.<\/p>\n You have the opportunity to direct your gift to a staff position, program or cause that matters most to you, Now & Forever.<\/em><\/p>\n For example, a gift of $1 million can:<\/p>\n Fund three internships a year,<\/strong> often times steering a young professional toward a career in conservation<\/p>\n Fully support one senior staff position<\/strong> in any of our four program areas, year after year<\/p>\n Fund a specific program that matches your interests,<\/strong> such as kids and education, water quality, at-risk wildlife, smart growth and development and more<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur mission is to protect Southwest Florida’s unique natural environment and quality of life… now & forever<\/em>.<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\tOur mission has never mattered more.<\/h3>\n
This is what’s at stake. This is why our work is more urgent today than ever.<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\tWHY US?\n\t\t\t\t
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The Conservancy has served alongside the residents of Southwest Florida for more than 60 years. We’ve proven we can go the distance to get things done and that we’ll be here for the long run.<\/li>\n
We don’t shy away from a tough fight or complex issues. We stand for what we – and you – believe in, always protecting our quality of life even if it means running up against powerful interests.<\/li>\n
The economy and environment are inextricably linked. The Conservancy is a team of experts who advocate for “common-sense conservation” and resilient communities.<\/li>\n
We’re lean on staff, with 400-plus volunteers helping to carry out our mission. You can be sure your gift will be used wisely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\tWHY NOW?\n\t\t\t\t\n
Our economy, health and quality of life depend on the condition of our waterways. And make no mistake: Our water quality is at risk, threatened by pollution, excessive nutrients, the loss of natural wetlands and a failure of regulatory agencies to enforce rules without exception.<\/li>\n
Projections call for continued surging growth and development in the region, often driven by short-term profit with little regard to long-term vision or the effects on our natural environment.<\/li>\n
The rising cost of living is placing increased demands on the Conservancy’s capacity to recruit and retain the most talented workforce – the smart, dedicated people who deliver results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nNow & Forever: The Campaign to Protect Our Quality of Life<\/h3>\n\t
This campaign will create an endowment that secures one-third of our annual operating budget, ensuring long-term stability. The remaining two-thirds will rely on annual giving to deliver conservation results year after year.<\/strong><\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Campaign Working Goal: $70 Million<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
Our People, Our Programs<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
Our Campus<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
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\n\tProtecting paradise, the Seeley-Ferguson family’s gift to the future<\/h3>\nNancy F. Seeley’s legacy at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida is both personal and profound. “I can’t ever remember a time in my life when she didn’t care about nature,” recalls her daughter, Dana Seeley Hayse. That early ethic showed up everywhere: as a Girl Scout leader, family trash clean-ups for an ice cream cone reward, and decades of water and land stewardship. In Naples, Nancy followed her mother, Mildred Ferguson, into service as one of the Conservancy’s longest-tenured volunteers, happiest “working the docks,” supporting electric boat tours and building a tight-knit crew of fellow Conservancy captains.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tREAD MORE\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t
Our People, Our Programs: Sustaining Our Impact<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\tRECRUITING AND RETAINING TOP TALENT<\/h5>\n
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ENDOWMENT OPPORTUNITIES<\/h5>\n
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