2023 Magic Under the Mangroves gala raises $1.4 million
The 19th Annual Magic Under the Mangroves gala held March 2 raised more than $1.4 million net for programs to protect the water, land, wildlife, and future of Southwest Florida.
Going back to the original theme of “Magic Under the Mangroves,” guests were reminded of the importance of mangrove forests to the ecosystems of Southwest Florida. The Conservancy’s largest annual fundraiser, Magic features an outdoor reception followed by a silent auction, dinner, and live auction held inside a multiple-tented structure.
The event included feature films that highlighted the Conservancy’s important work protecting our water, land, and wildlife by the four core departments: Environmental Education, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy and Advocacy, and Wildlife Rehabilitation. Following the videos, world-renowned auctioneer and author Lydia Fenet led a fund-a-need auction that started with two $100,000 commitments. Immediately following the fund-a-need, five exclusive auction items were offered and produced more than $250,000.
The delighted crowd enjoyed the competition for the auction items after which a sumptuous dinner was provided by The Ritz-Carlton.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, it has been a difficult year for many of our supporters, but knowing of the importance of the work we do in protecting nature, they stepped up in a big way,” said Rob Moher, Conservancy president and CEO. “We all recognize that if we protect nature, nature will protect us. On behalf of our staff, volunteers, and board, I’m grateful for the outpouring of support during Magic.”
Toni and Charlie Mueller chaired the event and led a team of volunteer committee members and staff. Magic Under the Mangroves has raised more than $18 million since its inception in 2004.
Sponsors included Northern Trust as the Presenting Sponsor and William Raveis as Supporting Sponsor. Community Sponsors included Waterside Shops, Gulfshore Life magazine, Naples Daily News, and WINK News.
Patron Levels and Benefits
MAGIC PACKAGE - $50,000
- March 2, 2023 main “Magic Under the Mangroves” event benefits:
- Seating for 16 people (2 tables) in prime location
- VIP Parking
- Recognition as a major supporter at the event
- Limousine service to and from gala or VIP Parking
- Guided behind-the-scenes private tour of the Conservancy Nature Center, including the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, with the President and CEO
CYPRESS PACKAGE - $35,000
- March 2, 2023 main “Magic Under the Mangroves” event benefits:
- Seating for 12 people in prime location
- VIP Parking
- Recognition as a major supporter at the event
- Guided behind-the-scenes private tour of the Conservancy Nature Center, including the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, with the President and CEO
CANOPY PACKAGE - $25,000
- March 2, 2023 main “Magic Under the Mangroves” event benefits:
- Seating for 10 people in prime location
- VIP Parking
- Recognition as a major supporter at the event
- Guided behind-the-scenes private tour of the Conservancy Nature Center, including the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, with the President and CEO
WHITE MANGROVE PACKAGE - $15,000
- Seating for 8 at “Magic Under the Mangroves” event on March 2, 2023
- Recognition in the event catalog
BLACK MANGROVE PACKAGE - $10,000
- Seating for 6 at “Magic Under the Mangroves” event on March 2, 2023
- Recognition in the event catalog
RED MANGROVE PACKAGE - $6,500
- Seating for 4 at “Magic Under the Mangroves” event on March 2, 2023
- Recognition in the event catalog
BUTTONWOOD PACKAGE - $3,500
- Seating for 2 at “Magic Under the Mangroves” event on March 2, 2023
- Recognition in the event catalog
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS - $750 EACH
- Tickets will be available after Feb 7, 2023
For information on purchasing a patron package, please email magic@conservancy.org or call 239.403.4200
2023 Magic Committee
Chairs: Toni & Charlie Mueller
Mrs. Edie Andrew
Mrs. Emily Caraco
Mrs. Susan Dalton *
Mrs. Kimberly Darr
Mrs. Linda Diaz
Mrs. Linda Flewelling
Mrs. Linda Grijalva
Mrs. Donna Hall
Mrs. Robin Hamilton *
Mrs. Jerri Hoffmann
Dr. Judith Hushon
Mrs. Linda Koehn
Ms. Teri Kuhn
Mrs. Maureen Lerner *
Mrs. Katrina Lundmark-Kash *
Mrs. Robin McClanathan
Mrs. Toni Mueller
Mrs. Linda Orlans
Mrs. Louise Ost
Mrs. Jane Pearsall
Mrs. Candy Raveis
Mrs. Anne Rubin
Mrs. Sue Schulte
Mrs. Lynne Shotwell *
Mrs. Jenny Sutton
Mrs. Debra Tagliaferro
Sharon von Arx
Mrs. Patti Wagner
Mrs. Carol Walter
Dr. Cynthia Weston
Mrs. Nancy White *
* Indicates past Magic Under the Mangroves chairs
History of Magic
Magic Under the Mangroves™ began as the 40th anniversary celebration for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. In 2004, a group of concerned community leaders created the event to both celebrate and support the protection of Southwest Florida’s unique natural environment and quality of life.
Under the leadership of past chairpersons Sue Dalton, Maureen Lerner, Nancy White, Jeannie Smith, Lynne Shotwell, William Boyajian, Carol Dinardo Robin Hamilton, Katrina-Lundmark Kash, Terry and Bob Edwards, and current chairs, Toni and Charlie Mueller, Magic Under the Mangroves™ has grown to be one of the top charitable events in Southwest Florida.
The 2022 Magic Under the Mangroves™ event raised over $2.1 million, a sizeable portion of the Conservancy's annual operating budget.
All proceeds support the Conservancy’s mission to protect Southwest Florida’s unique natural environment and quality of life…now and forever.
The money funds programs that protect our water, our land, our wildlife and our future, including:
- Reaching thousands of local students through Environmental Education
- Satellite tracking Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles to study their movements in the Ten Thousand Islands and surrounding waters
- Saving thousands of acres of wetlands to protect water supplies and wildlife habitat
- Funding policy team members who advocate for land conservation in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties
- Promoting best practices in the region to strengthen water quality and restore degraded marine habitats
- Ensuring the region has a strong and consistent voice in Tallahassee and Washington to ensure Everglades restoration addresses issues in Southwest Florida
- Providing food and medicine for more than 4,000 animals that were admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital
- Purchasing equipment for water quality monitoring and estuary research projects
- Acquiring mapping software to help plan best growth management practices
- Securing mobile electronic devices, computers, and cameras for research and policy field projects
- Supporting 26 interns annually across the organization
- Ensuring transportation for educational field trips and injured wildlife
- Supplying vital tools for one of the longest continuous loggerhead sea turtle research programs in the country.
Magic Under the Mangroves Event Program
Scroll through the full Event Program below. Be sure to check out all of the Live Auction items as well!