Category: Events

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2019 CREW Concert: THANK YOU!

Saturday evening was fantastic. Great weather, yummy food and craft beer, amazing music and a LOT of people supporting CREW Land & Water Trust!

Thank you to everyone who attended the concert, donated items to the silent eco-auction, purchased auction items or stars (how fun were those?), sponsored the event or volunteered to work the event.

We’re already planning for 2020, so if you missed this year’s concert – we hope to see you next year!

Photo credits: Dick Brewer and Anne Reed

 

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

 

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2019 Concert Countdown: Know Before You Go

We’re counting down to the 2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars & Silent Eco-Auction on Saturday, February 16 at 5 p.m. at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. Today is our last pre-concert post – we hope to see you there!

Ready to dance? Eat? Drink? Buy all the Silent Eco-Auction items?

Before you go to our concert on Saturday, we have just a few things we think you should know. Check them out- and we look forward to seeing you at the 2019 Concert Under the Stars.

1- Tickets

The easiest and cheapest way to get your tickets to the CREW Concert is online through eventbrite. If you buy your tickets in advance, they are $15; if you wait and buy them at the gate, they are $20. That’s five dollars you could save for a cupcake (more on those tasty little treats later)! Here is a little secret – the tickets will be available for purchase online until 4 p.m. on Saturday, so if you decide last-minute to come, you still have time to save money and buy your tickets online!

2- What to bring (and what to leave at home)

Things you can bring: children (ages 12 and under get in free), cash and credit cards (for food/drink sales) and folding chairs.

Things you can’t bring: coolers and dogs.

Service animals are always welcome within reason – we’d hate to disappoint you and turn away your service brontosaurus due to lack of available space.

3- Where is the concert, and when does it start?

The 2019 CREW Concert & Silent Eco-Auction will be held at Riverside Park, located at 10451 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs.

Schedule:

5 p.m. Gates Open

5:30 p.m. Silent Auction Opens

5:30 p.m. Welcome

5:40 p.m. High Voltage Band performs

8:15 p.m. Silent Auction Closes

8:30-9:15 p.m. Pick-up and Pay for Silent Auction Items

9:00 p.m. Concert Ends

4 – Food and Beverages

The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs returns this year and will serve wine and craft beer from Momentum Brewhouse. Our food vendors are Haney’s Cafe and Cherie’s Sweet Treats. Please bring cash for all food and drink, as we are unsure which vendors will accept credit cards.

5- Silent Eco-Auction

To preview all 37 items, click here.

How does the silent auction work? Walk through and check out the items and experiences offered. Write your name, phone number and amount you are bidding on the bid sheet. Check back often to see if you have been outbid, and bid as often as you would like! If you want to make sure you get an item, you can purchase it for the Buy It Now price. The auction closes promptly at 8: 15 p.m. Winners will be listed on the large sign near the entrance to the Silent Auction, and items won can be paid for and picked up from 8:30-9:15 p.m.

6- Parking

Volunteers will be directing guests to available parking spaces. A limited amount of handicap parking spaces will be available. Please watch for parking volunteers wearing bright green shirts. Parking for this event is free.

7- VIP Cafe

The VIP Cafe is a private area for VIP ticket holders with table seating and food. It is not accessible by anyone who is not wearing a VIP wristband. VIP Cafe tickets were part of this year’s sponsorship packages. If you are interested in being a sponsor for the 2020 concert, please contact Brenda (brenda@crewtrust.org).

9- Proceeds

CREW Land & Water Trust is a non-profit that provides environmental education for all ages on lands within the 60,000 acre CREW project. All funds raised at the 2019 concert will go towards the Dr. David R. Cooper Education fund, which provides funding for our environmental education programs along with paid internships, field trip supplies and more.

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2019 Concert Countdown: Can’t Miss Auction Items

Each year our Silent Eco-Auction features unique eco-experiences and items. This year’s auction boasts 37 items including one really big, tremendous, gorgeous work of art that has to be seen to be appreciated.

Auction Item 37: Swallow-tailed kite table

Donated by Dick Anderson and Lucas Century

To call this item unique is an understatement.

The collaboration is astounding. Dick Anderson has contributed unique art in the past and his shark surfboard, tiki dude, and driftwood great blue heron have been hugely popular auction items.

This year, he found driftwood to make a table base, then salvaged a glass-table top. Then artist Lucas Century stepped in.

Luc, a Sanibel-island resident and world-renowned artist behind the etching of the names on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington DC, used a sandblasting technique to etch the image of a swallow-tailed kite into the reclaimed glass table top.

The result is a one-of-a-kind art piece that has attracted the interest of birders and collectors of Luc’s pieces.

Auction 8: Eastern Screech Owl Box and Auction Item 9: Eastern Bluebird Box

Donated by Brian Beckner/Native Birdboxes

Brian Beckner’s handcrafted birdboxes are so wildly popular they go quickly as buy-it-now items after the auction opens. Why? The craftmanship is supberb and Beckner pays attention to details, including making the box resistant to predators but also easy to clean when the chicks have fledged. His boxes are used at golf courses across SWFL and in many residential neighborhoods.

Auction Item 10: Swamp Buggy Ride for 10 at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Donated by Ed Carlson, CREW Trust Trustee

This item usually receives the highest bids each year. It’s a unique opportunity to tour Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and hear the stories behind the sanctuary. Ed Carlson helped install the original boardwalk at the sanctuary and is the former executive director. He is a current trustee for the CREW Trust and generously donates this experience each year to our silent eco-auction.

Auction Item 17: Birthday hike for 12 at the CREW Marsh Trails

Donated by the CREW Trust

Deer in party hats aren’t really part of this package, but you are certainly welcome to wear celebratory headgear when you and 11 friends hit the Marsh trails for a birthday hike led by a member of the CREW Staff or a CREW Trust volunteer naturalist. Included is a gift certificate for 12 delicious cupcakes from Cherie’s Sweet Treats, a 2018 and 2019 CREW Concert food vendor. This item was popular at last year’s auciton and we’re excited to see its return!

Auction Item 23: Passion for Painting at CREW Experience

Donated by CREW Trustee Kim Ruiz

If you love the serenity of nature and the CREW trails and want to let some of that emotion flow out onto canvas, this the perfect plein air painting package for you! The winning bidder and three guests will join Kim Ruiz for up to 4 hours at the CREW Marsh Trail campsite to create a painting that is uniquely theirs. This experience includes instruction and art supplies.

You can view the rest of our Silent Eco-Auction items on our auction preview page.

To bid on any of the auction items, purchase a ticket to our concert on Saturday, February 16. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. The silent auction opens at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 8:15 p.m., with payment and item pick-up beginning at 8:30 p.m. All proceeds of the 2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars will go towards the Dr. David R. Cooper Eduation Fund.

 

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2019 Concert Countdown: See you at Momentum Brewhouse!

Our biggest fundraiser of the year is one week from Saturday!

And, to celebrate, we have an opportunity for YOU to get FREE BEER!

And not just any beer – this is fantastic, award-winning craft beer from Momentum Brewhouse in Bonita Springs!

CREW Trust staff and volunteers will be selling tickets for our 2019 Concert Under the Stars on Friday, Feb. 8 at Momentum Brewhouse from 5-10 p.m. Cash or credit card payments accepted.

If you buy a concert ticket, you get a free beer!

And you’ll be supporting our environmental education programs, AND you can look forward to great music and great food at our Feb. 16 concert.

What: CREW Trust concert tickets pre-sale

Where: Momentum Brewhouse, 9786 Bonita Beach Road SW, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

When: Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 from 5-10 p.m.

Cost: $15 for CREW concert pre-sale ticket. Buy one ticket, get one free beer.

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CREW Trust to host annual concert on Feb. 16 at Riverside Park

CREW Land & Water Trust will host the 2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars on Saturday, February 16 from 5-9 p.m. at Riverside Park, located at 10451 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs.

This year’s concert will raise funds for the Dr. David R. Cooper Education Fund, named for the CREW Trust’s longest-serving volunteer, Dr. David Cooper, who passed away in May 2018. Many of the CREW Trust’s members, staff and volunteers spent time on the CREW Marsh Trails with Dr. Cooper, who was a self-taught volunteer naturalist.

“Dr. David was instrumental in introducing CREW to so many people and educating them on the value of this important watershed,” explained Brenda Brooks, Executive Director for CREW Land & Water Trust. “The education fund was established in 2014 and renamed in January 2018 to honor Dr. David and continue his passion for education. His legacy lives on through this fund, which provides support for our expanding education programs and provides resources used to teach students of all ages about the importance of preserving the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.”

A truly unique artistic collaboration is the centerpiece of this year’s silent eco-auction. Lucas Century of Lucas Century Glass is working with CREW Trust member Dick Anderson to create a coffee table with a driftwood base topped with beveled glass sandblasted with images of swallow-tailed kites.

“Swallow-tailed kites have been a part of our logo for years,” noted Brooks. “These graceful birds return to Southwest Florida every year and many nest within the CREW Project. This is the first time we have worked with Lucas Century Glass and we are excited to see one of our favorite birds captured in this unique piece of art.” Other auction items include handcrafted bird boxes, private hikes and tours, sunset and shelling cruises and one-of-a-kind works of art.

The High Voltage Band is the featured performer at this year’s concert

High Voltage Band returns for this year’s concert, playing everything from Motown’s greatest hits to today’s Top 40 songs. High Voltage Band has played for the NFL Players Association, Panasonic, The Boston Red Sox, Toyota, The Dale Earnhardt Jr. Foundation, Hope for Haiti and more.

The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs will sell wine and a selection of craft beer from Momentum Brewhouse. Owner Brian Hahn is working to craft a unique brew in honor of CREW that will be served at the concert. Food vendors will also be on-site, including Cherie’s Sweet Treats.

Cupcakes from Cherie’s Sweet Treats

 

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit and enjoy the concert; dogs and outside food and drink will not be permitted.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and include access to the VIP café. General admission tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate; children 12 and under are free.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit crewtrust.org.

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Let CREW help YOU with your holiday gift ideas

If you are searching for the perfect gift idea for the nature-minded people in your life, we’re here to help!

Whether you’re looking for something for the new-to-nature person in your life or the trail veteran, check out a few of our recommendations.

For the New Birder

The Bird Watching Answer Book: Everything you need to know to enjoy birds in your backyard and beyond (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

“That is a really cute stocking-stuffer kind of book,” said volunteer Barbara Centola. “It is the kind of book you would put on your nightstand and read a couple of pages at night.” She purchased one and is planning on giving it to a friend who has shown interest in birding.

For the sentimental hiker

“I love a good walking stick,” said Brenda Brooks, executive director. “And I love to collect hiking medallions to remind me of where I’ve been. It’s an inexpensive way to remember your hike.”

CREW Hiking Medallions (available for Bird Rookery Swamp, CREW Marsh Trails and Cypress Dome Trails ($5 each; limited quantities for local pick-up only; email anne@crewtrust.org)

For the Trail Runner

Goodr Sunglasses

Tired of glasses that fall off your face when you’re out on a run – or even when you’re clearing Caesar weed? These no-slip, no-bounce glasses are the real deal and trail tested by Anne (hence the Caesar weed reference). And with frame names like “Frank’s Llama Land Ditty” and “Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?” they give the gift of a good chuckle, too.

For the four-legged hiker

“I love the water bottles with the drinking tray attached,” said Anne Reed, mom of two dogs, Brady (10.5 year old lab) and Sheila (2 year old chihuahua). “My dogs think it’s fun and it is easier than me carrying an extra water bottle and collapsible bowl in my pack.”

KONG H2O Stainless Steel Dog Water Bottle

For the Fun-Loving CREW Trust Friend

Stuff those stockings with tickets to the 2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars! You’ll be giving the gift of a fabulous night out with live music, great food, craft beer from Momentum Brewhouse and our very unique silent eco-auction! AND, most importantly, supporting our Dr. David R. Cooper Education fund.

2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars tickets

For the inquisitive walker

We joke that there are two types of hikers – point to point hikers, who go go go; and those that move inches in an hour. Sometimes those exist all in the same family! This book is great for the slow-moving hiker who stops to take pictures of panther scat (ANNE) and for the speedy hiker who needs to stop and smell the paw-paw.

The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs

For the “I Don’t Know What I want” friend

Take them on a hike! Gift wrap this coupon for a free hike and then take your friend out on one of the CREW Trust trails. Whether you spend the hike identifying wildflowers, searching the sky for Caracaras, or just catching up, time spent together is the best gift of all. The trails are open every day, sunrise to sunset. Feel free to print one of these fun gift cards and use it to schedule time out in nature with your friends and family! Oh, and if you want to give the gift of a guided walk, register yourself and a friend for one of our upcoming free guided walks.

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#GivingTuesday

Our mission seems very simple – protect and preserve the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.

Originally we pursued this mission through assisting with land acquisition and funding. But that has slowly transitioned over time to teaching people about the importance of preserving and protecting our most valuable natural resource – water – through protecting the watershed.

We do not host a lot of fundraisers, and we are extremely transparent as an organization. Our members and donors contributed 41% of our funding in 2017. And for each dollar the CREW Trust spends, 88 cents of that dollar goes towards our programming, 8 cents is spent on fundraising, and only 4 cents is spent on administration.

Because we focus so much on providing quality environmental education programs, and many of those are free, your donation has a huge impact. Today, on #givingtuesday, we are so very thankful for the support our members and donors have given us over the years and the commitment you have to helping provide environmental education to the residents, students and visitors in Southwest Florida.

If you would like to donate to the CREW Trust on #givingtuesday, we have several options:

Facebook is matching donations today, and we do have a goal of raising $500. You can donate directly through Facebook.

You can make a donation through our website and designate it as a general donation OR as a donation to the Dr. David R. Cooper Education Fund.

You can become a member of the CREW Trust and receive discounted tickets for our seasonal education programs and invitations to members-only events.

Whether you choose to give today, on #givingtuesday, or at a later date – or are previous donor and supporter – please know that your support has a significant impact, and we appreciate you and your contributions.

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CREW Stanley Hole Golf Tournament raises $16,000 for environmental education

On Friday, October 26, 22 teams of golfers teed off to raise funds for the CREW Trust’s environmental education programs.


Thanks to the support of the golfers and our sponsors, the 2018 CREW Stanley Hole Golf Tournament raised $16,000. The proceeds will go towards purchasing supplies for our k-12 field trips, providing stipends for the leaders of our adults-only Strolling Science Seminars and so much more.

The success of this fundraiser year after year is due in part to the tremendous support we receive from area golf course superintendents and our generous sponsors. Thank you again to our sponsors and participants, and we look forward to seeing you next year!

2018 CREW Stanley Hole Golf Tournament Sponsors

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Become a sponsor of our 2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars!

Brenda Brooks, executive director of CREW Land & Water Trust, with Kim Ruiz, CREW Trust Board of Trustees member and presenting sponsor of the 2018 CREW Concert.

Our concert is our biggest fundraiser each year and this year we hope is no exception. Proceeds help fund the CREW Trust’s environmental education programs but this year we’re changing things up a bit and all proceeds will go towards the Dr. David R. Cooper Education Fund.

Most of our sponsors have been supporting this event for years and we couldn’t have such a successful event without their support.

Sponsors enjoy special perks, including tickets to the VIP Cafe at the concert. This special area, exclusively for VIP ticket holders and their guests, offers table seating close to the stage at Riverside Park and a fully catered meal from Niko’s Kitchen.

For most of our sponsors, though, sponsoring this event is about so much more than great food and the atmosphere of the VIP Cafe.

“I originally sponsored the CREW concert to give back to the place where I first learned Southwest Florida wildflowers,” explained Kim Ruiz, CREW Trust member, Trustee, volunteer and member of the concert committee. In 2018, Kim’s company, EcoPlanz Inc, was the presenting sponsor for the CREW Concert. “I continue sponsoring to support the expanding educational programs so people of all ages can be immersed in the wonders of water, land, and wildlife.”

Brian Farrar, Vice-Chairman of the CREW Trust Board of Trustees, President of BCF Management Group, CREW Trust member and concert committee member, has also been a sponsor for many years. “Being a CREW Concert sponsor has afforded my wife and I the opportunity to give back to our Southwest Florida community in what we believe is one of the most important ways: educating our future leaders on the importance of water resources and environmental preservation. If we don’t explain this need and delicate balance, our wonderful way of life will be gone before we know it.”

If you are looking for a way to support the concert and help us build the Dr. David R. Cooper Education Fund, please consider becoming a concert sponsor and enjoy the event as a VIP! Download a 2019 CREW Concert Sponsor Flyer or email brenda@crewtrust.org for more information on becoming a sponsor.