MANGROVE ACTION GROUP ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
April 3, 2024
1:30 p.m. at the Community Center
Call to Order - President Tom Sabourin called the meeting to order at 1:38 p.m. with the Pledge
Directors Present - Louise Dowd, Mary Vance Duggan, Peter Duggan, Mary Johnson, Nancy Lewis, Ted Raia, Linda Roth and Tom Sabourin
Members and Guests Present – Susan O’Brien, Len Rothman, Kim Heath, JoAnn Jany, Deb Seibel, Jan Sachs, Barb Hein, Dick Forte, Phil Wade, Julie Wade, Laura Arnold, Tony D’Errico, and Marian Jacobsen (13)
Speaker Presentation – Brad Cornell, Audubon Western Everglades and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, What is a Storm Resilient Pelican Bay?
Minutes of March 20, 2024 (Additions/Corrections/Approval) – In review of the draft minutes and speaker presentation, the Board discussed and reached consensus to submit and have speaker presentations approved by the speakers prior to posting them online. After that discussion, Ted R. made a motion to approve the draft minutes with changes and Linda R. 2nd the motion. Motion carried.
Financial Report & 2023 Annual Report - In the absence of John Adams, there will be no finance or annual report at this meeting. They will be given next month.
Reports/Updates:
Nature Walks – The upcoming walk on April 11th will be the last for this season.
Discussion of Conservancy Partnering in 2025 Season – Prior to the meeting Tom S. sent out a proposed Conservancy and MAG Partnership draft for Board discussion. Tom briefly provided some background on the previous Conservancy walks in PB, as well as the current ones in Clam Pass, and reviewed what MAG’s responsibility would be based on the assumption that MAG will carry forward the same plan and contract agreement with the PBF to provide those walks for 2025 season. After some discussion and clarification, Mary Johnson made a motion to approve the draft to continue to move the process forward. Ted R. 2nd the motion and all approved. Tom will provide an update next month after he hears back from the Clam Pass Coordinators.
Relative to that discussion with the Conservancy, Peter D. advised that MAG has always paid annual membership dues to the Conservancy of SW Florida and that we have not done so this year. Peter made a motions to pay the annual membership dues and Linda R. 2nd the motion. The motion was approved.
Berm Bird Boxes Updates – Tram drivers have mentioned seeing birds and two red-bellied woodpeckers have been spotted poking around at the bird box near Chanteclair.
Website Update – Still outstanding are the additional photos to be added, the updated history and membership form. The history update is still in process. Linda R. and Mary J. will get together within the next week or so to complete that update.
Membership Form for Website – Tom S. stated that the membership form used in the past can be updated and used for the website.
Change in MAG Board Directors – This will be Ted (and Fil) Raia’s last meeting and Linda Roth’s last meeting will be next month. Discussion ensued with regard to needing new directors. Laura Arnold and JoAnn Jany both expressed an interest in joining MAG as members. Tom S. will follow up with them to see if there’s any interest on their part to become directors.
For 2024-2025, Mary Johnson made a motion to nominate the following directors who wish to continue as MAG Directors:
John Adams, Mary Vance Duggan, Peter Duggan, Louise Dowd, Mary Johnson, Nancy Lewis and Tom Sabourin
Linda Roth 2nd the motion made and all approved.
Mary Johnson made a another motion to nominate the existing slate of officers again for 2024-2025.
Board Topics – Open Discussion – Based on Brad’s presentation, future speakers and topics discussed were Naples Botanical Gardens (Chad Washburn) and exploring littoral plantings for PB lakes rather than using tilapia or algaecide. In addition, Mary J. suggested that MAG become more knowledgeable about the appropriate PBSD committee and find out why the landscapers do not collect clippings.
Next Meeting - May 15 Meeting: No Speaker, 2025 Season Prep
Adjournment – With there being no further business, Mary Johnson made a motion to adjourn and Louise D. 2nd it. The meeting was adjourned at 4:11PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Lewis, Secretary
Directors Present - Louise Dowd, Mary Vance Duggan, Peter Duggan, Mary Johnson, Nancy Lewis, Ted Raia, Linda Roth and Tom Sabourin
Members and Guests Present – Susan O’Brien, Len Rothman, Kim Heath, JoAnn Jany, Deb Seibel, Jan Sachs, Barb Hein, Dick Forte, Phil Wade, Julie Wade, Laura Arnold, Tony D’Errico, and Marian Jacobsen (13)
Speaker Presentation – Brad Cornell, Audubon Western Everglades and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, What is a Storm Resilient Pelican Bay?
Minutes of March 20, 2024 (Additions/Corrections/Approval) – In review of the draft minutes and speaker presentation, the Board discussed and reached consensus to submit and have speaker presentations approved by the speakers prior to posting them online. After that discussion, Ted R. made a motion to approve the draft minutes with changes and Linda R. 2nd the motion. Motion carried.
Financial Report & 2023 Annual Report - In the absence of John Adams, there will be no finance or annual report at this meeting. They will be given next month.
Reports/Updates:
Nature Walks – The upcoming walk on April 11th will be the last for this season.
Discussion of Conservancy Partnering in 2025 Season – Prior to the meeting Tom S. sent out a proposed Conservancy and MAG Partnership draft for Board discussion. Tom briefly provided some background on the previous Conservancy walks in PB, as well as the current ones in Clam Pass, and reviewed what MAG’s responsibility would be based on the assumption that MAG will carry forward the same plan and contract agreement with the PBF to provide those walks for 2025 season. After some discussion and clarification, Mary Johnson made a motion to approve the draft to continue to move the process forward. Ted R. 2nd the motion and all approved. Tom will provide an update next month after he hears back from the Clam Pass Coordinators.
Relative to that discussion with the Conservancy, Peter D. advised that MAG has always paid annual membership dues to the Conservancy of SW Florida and that we have not done so this year. Peter made a motions to pay the annual membership dues and Linda R. 2nd the motion. The motion was approved.
Berm Bird Boxes Updates – Tram drivers have mentioned seeing birds and two red-bellied woodpeckers have been spotted poking around at the bird box near Chanteclair.
Website Update – Still outstanding are the additional photos to be added, the updated history and membership form. The history update is still in process. Linda R. and Mary J. will get together within the next week or so to complete that update.
Membership Form for Website – Tom S. stated that the membership form used in the past can be updated and used for the website.
Change in MAG Board Directors – This will be Ted (and Fil) Raia’s last meeting and Linda Roth’s last meeting will be next month. Discussion ensued with regard to needing new directors. Laura Arnold and JoAnn Jany both expressed an interest in joining MAG as members. Tom S. will follow up with them to see if there’s any interest on their part to become directors.
For 2024-2025, Mary Johnson made a motion to nominate the following directors who wish to continue as MAG Directors:
John Adams, Mary Vance Duggan, Peter Duggan, Louise Dowd, Mary Johnson, Nancy Lewis and Tom Sabourin
Linda Roth 2nd the motion made and all approved.
Mary Johnson made a another motion to nominate the existing slate of officers again for 2024-2025.
- President – Tom Sabourin
- Vice President – Louise Dowd
- Treasurer – John Adams
- Secretary - Nancy Lewis
Board Topics – Open Discussion – Based on Brad’s presentation, future speakers and topics discussed were Naples Botanical Gardens (Chad Washburn) and exploring littoral plantings for PB lakes rather than using tilapia or algaecide. In addition, Mary J. suggested that MAG become more knowledgeable about the appropriate PBSD committee and find out why the landscapers do not collect clippings.
Next Meeting - May 15 Meeting: No Speaker, 2025 Season Prep
Adjournment – With there being no further business, Mary Johnson made a motion to adjourn and Louise D. 2nd it. The meeting was adjourned at 4:11PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Lewis, Secretary
MANGROVE ACTION GROUP MEETING MINUTES
March 20, 2024
1:30 p.m. at the Community Center
March 20, 2024
1:30 p.m. at the Community Center
Call to Order - President Tom Sabourin called the meeting to order at 1:39 p.m. with the Pledge.
Announcements - Directly following the Pledge, Tom shared that MAG is looking for Directors to replace two people. Also, due to the success of the Nature Walks this year, MAG is considering sponsoring them twice a month next season and looking for additional guides. He advised that there will be a training session in the fall for anyone interested.
Directors Present - John Adams, Louise Dowd, Mary Vance Duggan, Peter Duggan, Nancy Lewis, Fil Raia, Ted Raia, Linda Roth and Tom Sabourin
Members and Guests: Peter Duggan Jr., Toni Mueller, Laura Arnold, Kim Heath, Diane Myers, JoAnn Jany, Len Rothman, Mike Ruffolo, Denise McLaughlin, Barbara Hein and Vanessa Booker
Speaker Presentation - Jeremy Sterk, Earth Tech Environmental, on Biomonitoring of Clam Bay (see presentation summary)
Minutes of February 28, 2024 – Louise D. made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, John A. 2nd the motion. Motion carried.
Financial Report – John A. advised that the current checking account balance is $7202.23 after receiving $20.42 in interest income and paying $300 for 2 speaker stipends ($150 each) to Audubon on behalf of Brittany Piersma and Katie Laakkonen.
There are currently 3 outstanding expenditures totaling about $1045 for the new bookmarks, admin billing for 2023 and website hosting.
Reports/Updates:
Nature Walks -Tom S. reported that on the 3/14 Nature Walk there were 42 attendees who completed the entire walk to Marker 36. In discussion, Len Rothman shared that he is willing to participate as a guide next year (health willing). The next Nature Walk is April 11th (last of season).
Berm Bird Boxes Updates - Tom S. reported that the Audubon people are excited about the project and looking forward to getting updates on any activity.
Website Update - Tom S. shared that the website is almost up to date. The only outstanding items are some additional photos and a membership application.
MAG Bookmark – The new bookmarks are complete and were handed out on the last Nature Walk to those in attendance. They display our name, website address and advertise the Nature Walks and Lecture Series in addition to environmental advocacy.
Membership / Fundraising – The membership kickoff will be in October for the 2024/25 season. The application form is in process.
Naples Grande Rhodes End Sunset Closure – It was noted that Marker 36 closes at 8:30, as does the Gumbo Limbo (Ritz). The Collier County BCC lets Parks & Rec. handle park agreements. Tom S. shared that Parks & Rec. now has a new 20 year agreement with the Naples Grande and closure is at sunset.
Board Topics – During open discussion, Linda Roth announced that she, too, will be retiring from the MAG board at the end of this season (along with Ted and Fil Raia) and stressed the importance of MAG keeping up the email list and providing regular communiques.
For clarification, the bylaws were quickly reviewed to confirm MAG is to have no less than 3 directors.
Next Meeting Dates: April 3rd at 1:30 p.m. This will be MAG’s annual meeting and the speaker will be Brad Cornell, Audubon, on PB Storm Resilience.
May 15th Meeting: No Speaker, 2024-2025 Season Prep
Adjournment - With there being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Tom Sabourin and 2nd by Linda Roth. The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Lewis, Secretary
Announcements - Directly following the Pledge, Tom shared that MAG is looking for Directors to replace two people. Also, due to the success of the Nature Walks this year, MAG is considering sponsoring them twice a month next season and looking for additional guides. He advised that there will be a training session in the fall for anyone interested.
Directors Present - John Adams, Louise Dowd, Mary Vance Duggan, Peter Duggan, Nancy Lewis, Fil Raia, Ted Raia, Linda Roth and Tom Sabourin
Members and Guests: Peter Duggan Jr., Toni Mueller, Laura Arnold, Kim Heath, Diane Myers, JoAnn Jany, Len Rothman, Mike Ruffolo, Denise McLaughlin, Barbara Hein and Vanessa Booker
Speaker Presentation - Jeremy Sterk, Earth Tech Environmental, on Biomonitoring of Clam Bay (see presentation summary)
Minutes of February 28, 2024 – Louise D. made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, John A. 2nd the motion. Motion carried.
Financial Report – John A. advised that the current checking account balance is $7202.23 after receiving $20.42 in interest income and paying $300 for 2 speaker stipends ($150 each) to Audubon on behalf of Brittany Piersma and Katie Laakkonen.
There are currently 3 outstanding expenditures totaling about $1045 for the new bookmarks, admin billing for 2023 and website hosting.
Reports/Updates:
Nature Walks -Tom S. reported that on the 3/14 Nature Walk there were 42 attendees who completed the entire walk to Marker 36. In discussion, Len Rothman shared that he is willing to participate as a guide next year (health willing). The next Nature Walk is April 11th (last of season).
Berm Bird Boxes Updates - Tom S. reported that the Audubon people are excited about the project and looking forward to getting updates on any activity.
Website Update - Tom S. shared that the website is almost up to date. The only outstanding items are some additional photos and a membership application.
MAG Bookmark – The new bookmarks are complete and were handed out on the last Nature Walk to those in attendance. They display our name, website address and advertise the Nature Walks and Lecture Series in addition to environmental advocacy.
Membership / Fundraising – The membership kickoff will be in October for the 2024/25 season. The application form is in process.
Naples Grande Rhodes End Sunset Closure – It was noted that Marker 36 closes at 8:30, as does the Gumbo Limbo (Ritz). The Collier County BCC lets Parks & Rec. handle park agreements. Tom S. shared that Parks & Rec. now has a new 20 year agreement with the Naples Grande and closure is at sunset.
Board Topics – During open discussion, Linda Roth announced that she, too, will be retiring from the MAG board at the end of this season (along with Ted and Fil Raia) and stressed the importance of MAG keeping up the email list and providing regular communiques.
For clarification, the bylaws were quickly reviewed to confirm MAG is to have no less than 3 directors.
Next Meeting Dates: April 3rd at 1:30 p.m. This will be MAG’s annual meeting and the speaker will be Brad Cornell, Audubon, on PB Storm Resilience.
May 15th Meeting: No Speaker, 2024-2025 Season Prep
Adjournment - With there being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Tom Sabourin and 2nd by Linda Roth. The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Lewis, Secretary