Magic under the Mangroves: Protecting Florida’s natural resources

Saving one of Florida’s magical environmental resources, the Magic under the Mangroves gala got underway on Thursday night.

“We protect nature. Nature protects us.” It is a perfect example of how mangroves and mangrove research at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida help to protect us from hurricanes.

Thursday’s event is focused on how this place protects our environment overall. Short-term and long-term.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida went to work protecting mangroves six decades ago. They work to preserve wildlife too, and the challenges never end.

“Just like humans are impacted by the effects of Red Tide, so are the wildlife,” said Robert Moher, president & CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

There’s a pelican rehab pool at the Conservancy that helps shorebirds affected by Red Tide. It is where they hang out when they’re one step away from being released.

“Because Red Tide is so prevalent, we’ve been getting a lot of birds in. Some of them have been in really bad shape,” said Joanna Fitzgerald, director of the von Arx Wildlife Animal Hospital. “We can tell it’s worse because of the symptoms we’re seeing in and the condition the animals are coming in. They’re just having increased raspatory issues.”

Moher said Thursday night is focused on the Conservency’s roots of reserving our mangroves, but at the end of the day, our environment, health, and overall well-being are all connected.

“The idea that the environment is out here, and human health and the quality of our life is our separate quadrants. Is a myth. And we saw that in the devastating water quality issues that we’ve faced in the last five years,” Moher said.

The gala began at 5:30 p.m., and the virtual silent auction is open, You can participate by clicking here.