Magic Under the Mangroves

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

Committee

Event History

Event Program

Patron Levels

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

Committee

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

Event History

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.