There was Ramen and Rissotto, the alligators and Rivali, Remus and Cass, the hawks and owl who welcomed the approximately 150 guests at the Wild About Wildlife event to benefit the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge Association. The event was held outdoors in the lush gardens at the home of Richard and Dragana Connaughton (National Wildlife Refuge Association Board Member) in Palm Beach.
The evening raised nearly $135,000 for the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and the 28 other national wildlife refuges in Florida. Co-chairs were National Wildlife Refuge Association Board Members; Dragana Connaughton, Nancy Marshall, and Elaine Meier. Honorary Chair was Marshall Field V. Wildlife was provided by Busch Wildlife Sanctuary.
Focusing on the corridor north of Lake Okeechobee, which provides water flow down through the remainder of the Everglades to Biscayne Bay, the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 200 species of birds and wildlife, including the Florida panther.
The staff collaborates daily with ranchers, educating the next generation of advocates, and conducting community outreach programs to preserve the corridor and to protect this precious resource from future development.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association, is the leading independent voice advocating on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife. There are 568 national wildlife refuges nationwide.
