Friends of Rookery Bay and the art program at Florida Gulf Coast University will host “Wildlife and Wild Places in SWFL,” a collaborative art exhibition, with a reception, in May.
Friends of Rookery Bay and the art program at Florida Gulf Coast University will host “Wildlife and Wild Places in SWFL,” a collaborative art exhibition, with a reception, in May.
Students created the original photographs and sculptures.
“These artworks were aimed at connecting viewers with Southwest Florida’s dynamic coastal environment and celebrate the long-standing relationship between art and environmental stewardship,” said Athan Barkoukis, executive director with the Friends of Rookery Bay.
These artists were enrolled in the history of photography course by Professor Hannah Harley or sculpture course by Professor Steve Hughart.
“Through this collaboration, we’re seeing real world integration of what we teach in the classroom and how it can be applied to the communities in our southwest Florida region,” said Harley.
The reception is from 5:30 until 7 p.m., Thursday, May 8 at The Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. It will be on display until Aug. 1.
Admission to the reception is complimentary but registration requested at rookerybay.org/events.
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. , Tuesdays through Saturdays, with admission of $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 4-12).
Learn more at rookerybay.org or call 239-530-5972.
Bonita Springs native participating in SRU production
A Bonita Springs native and student of Slippery Rock University was among the cast of the school’s production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
Sophia Condit, a senior acting major, played Siobhan.
Bonita Bay Community raises funds for Lee Health
The FineMark Women’s Pro Tennis Championship and Bonita Bay Gala Committee raised $561,100 for Lee Health Cancer Institute.
Funds came from two events, the Annual Groovy Golf Classic Charity Tournament and the Bonita Bay Oh What A Night Gala.
“The Bonita Bay community has shown extraordinary generosity,” said Patti Chlipala, senior director of development at Lee Health Foundation. “Raising significant funds for these crucial programs will make a lasting impact on local cancer care and advance life-saving treatments for patients in need.”
Bird enthusiasts asked to report on banded roseate spoonbills
Audubon’s Everglades Science Center team is asking bird enthusiasts from across the state to search for roseate spoonbills and report banded ones – of which there are nearly 3,000.
A roseate spoonbill with a leg band.
When you locate one, you are asked to note or photograph the bands. Then, enter your data at: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a6aa769fc0ad4524bef19e4a26e95fe5.
From now through the end of 2025, respondents will receive a “I saw a banded Roseate Spoonbill” sticker.
The Audubon has studied Roseate Spoonbills since 1939.
“Understanding spoonbills’ behavior gives us clues to changes in water quality and quantity in the Everglades,” said Audubon Florida’s Director of Everglades Policy Kelly Cox. “Spoonbills can also provide warning signals for upcoming changes or shifts to an ecosystem, including rising seas,” she added.
The group asks that you give the birds their space when trying to read a bird band. They recommend using binoculars or a long zoom lens to avoid spooking or flushing the birds.
CREW Trust programs for May
The Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land & Water Trust will have a mindfulness hike and a painting in nature program in observance of May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
All programs take place outdoors; space is limited; advance tickets are required.
To register, visit CREW Trust’s Eventbrite page, crewtrust.eventbrite.com.
Education Coordinator Piper Jones will lead a mindfulness hike from 6 until 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, on the CREW Marsh Trails, 4600 Corkscrew Road, Immokalee.
Tickets are $5 per person.
Patty Chiappo, artist and CREW volunteer, will conduct a painting in nature class from 5 until 7 p.m., Thursday, May 29 at CREW Marsh Trails, 4600 Corkscrew Road, Immokalee.
Tickets: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Now You Know: ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ exhibit from FGCU students