Kudos

This column recognizes the outstanding achievements of those in the tourism industry. Please join us in acknowledging these accomplishments. 

Shell Factory Education Foundation provides field trips to school children

In the past two years since the Lee County School District cut funding for field trips, more than 4,000 children have taken field trips to The Shell Factory & Nature Park in North Fort Myers thanks to a nonprofit foundation and generous donations.

            Following the school district cuts, owners of The Shell Factory & Nature Park established the Nature Park Environmental Education Foundation Inc. to fund transportation for school field trips to the nature park. Shell Factory owners Tom and Pam Cronin volunteer their time and staff hours to administer the foundation ensuring all monies support the organization’s mission of providing a fun and educational experience for local children.

 “With tightened budgets, field trips for students have been cut dramatically,” said Tom Cronin. “I want to ensure that today’s children are afforded the same joy that my children experienced.”

For more information or to make a donation, call 239-995-2141 or visit www.shellfactory.com.

Edison & Ford Estates president earns national honors

            Chris Pendleton (r), president and CEO of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, was honored with a national Award of Excellence from National Garden Clubs Inc., the largest volunteer organization of its kind in the world.

            Pendleton was recognized for her leadership in the restoration and the implementation of new horticulture programs in the estates’ gardens. Pendleton, whose vision included the restoration of its gardens and historic buildings, was integral to securing funding from local, state and federal agencies, foundations and private donors for preservation of the site, as well as in the development of new visitor amenities, classrooms and public gardens.

            The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs Inc. sponsored Pendleton’s nomination, and the award was presented at the National Garden Clubs annual convention in May in Atlanta.

            For more information on the National Garden Clubs, visit www.gardenclub.org. For details on the Edison & Ford restoration project and other information, visit www.efwefla.org.

Lee County teachers learn Project Wild at ‘Ding’ Darling

Teachers stop along the side of Wildlife Drive to view some of the resident birds.

More than 30 science teachers from elementary, middle and high schools throughout Lee County spent a day in June at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge to become certified to teach Project Wild and Project Wild Aquatic in their classrooms.

Project Wild is a nationwide program designed to educate K-12 students about wildlife conservation and to help these young people become responsible citizens of our planet. 

The seven-hour, hands-on training was led by instructors Pam Burt and Rick Tully from Lee County Schools, Kristie Anders from Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and Toni Westland from the “Ding” Darling. In addition, Tarpon Bay Explorers donated a refuge tram tour led by naturalist Don Parsons, who taught the group about mangrove ecology and the birds living in the refuge ecosystem. 

To learn more about the organizations involved in preparing the teachers for the Project Wild programs, visit www.sccf.org,  www.fws.gov/dingdarling or www.tarponbayexplorers.com.

Sanibel Harbour Marriott® Resort & Spa gives to Hire Heroes USA

Sanibel Harbour Marriott^® Resort & Spa has donated $1,000 to Hire Heroes USA (HHUSA), a national organization providing veterans with education and training. The resort dedicated a portion of proceeds from its successful Memorial Day Weekend.

HHUSA provides career placement assistance to all of returning service men and women, while matching the skills and interests of each with the hiring needs of participating companies nationwide.

“Giving to the Hire Heroes program transcends the scope of the traditional business relationship. It is both an honor and a privilege to participate in some small way to the future success of our veterans who have given so much for their country,” said Cory Clark, general manager of the property.

Sanibel Harbour is an 85-acre resort near the foot of the Sanibel Causeway. For more information, visit www.sanibelmarriott.com.

To share a kudos for awards, promotions or other accomplishments in the local tourism industry, e-mail lrose@leegov.com.
 

Home Page