Friends Of Lovers Key Inc

FOLKS MISSION FRIENDS OF LOVERS KEY HELPING TO PROTECT, PRESERVE AND SUPPORT LOVERS KEY STATE PARK 2023 ANNUAL GOALS 1 WORK WITH THE PARK STAFF, THE FLORIDA PARK SERVICE, FOLKS MEMBER AND DONORS AND THE COMMUNITY TO ASSIST LOVERS KEY STATE PARK RECOVER FROM HURRICANE IAN. 2 THROUGH A VIGOROUS FUNDRAISING EFFORT, RAISE THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO ASSIST WITH THE RECOVERY FROM HURRICANE IAN COMPLETE THE WELCOME AND DISCOVERY CENTER AND FUND ITS ONGOING OPERATIONS AND RELATED EDUCATION PROGRAMS. 3THROUGH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND EDUCATION ENHANCE AWARENESS THAT THE PARK AND THE WELCOME AND DISCOVERY CENTER WILL BE BACK STRONGER FROM THE HURRICANE, PREPARE FOR THE PARKS REOPENING AND RECONNECT TO THE PARK THROUGH THE MESSAGE - LOVING LOVERS KEY - 4 ESTABLISH A HIGH LEVEL ADVISORY GROUP TO ADVISE THE FOLKS BOARD WITH WELL-DEFINED ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND GOALS.5 CONTINUE TO UPDATE FINANCIAL PROCESSES AND PROGRAMS THAT WILL ENABLE FOLKS AND FOLKS TREASURER TO RESPOND TO ALL FINANCE

HURRICANE IAN MADE LANDFALL ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2022, WITHIN 10 MILES OF LOVERS KEY STATE PARK AS A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE. THE PARK WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED FROM THE WINDS OF 150 MPH AND A 12 FOOT PLUS STORM SURGE. THIS DAMAGE CAUSED THE PARK TO BE CLOSED FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND CONTINUES TO BE CLOSED AS OF THE DATE OF THE FILING OF THIS RETURN. THE PARK CLOSURE HAS CANCELLED ALL FRIENDS OF LOVERS KEY PROGRAMS AND OUR EFFORTS HAVE BEEN REFOCUSED ON ASSISTING THE PARK RECOVER FROM THE HURRICANE.

THE CENTRAL THEME OF LOVERS KEY ECO-ARTS CAMP IS "WHAT YOU SEE ON THE LAND, LANDS IN THE SEA", WHICH INVESTIGATES RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LAND USE AND THE HEALTH OF AQUATIC ECO-SYSTEMS (IT IS ALSO THE THEME OF THE NEW SPEAKERS SERIES SPONSORED BY FOLKS). THE PURPOSE OF THIS THEME IS TO ENGAGE CITIZENS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS IN LEARNING ABOUT AND PROTECTING THE ESTERO BAY WATERSHED. LOVERS KEY STATE PARK'S LOCATION IS IDEAL FOR VISITORS APPRECIATE THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN LAND USE AND WATER QUALITY.

WHAT YOU SEE ON THE LAND, LANDS IN THE SEA": A LECTURE AND DISCUSSION SERIES SPONSORED BY FRIENDS OF LOVERS KEY BEGINNING THE FALL OF 2021, FRIENDS OF LOVERS KEY WILL HOST A SERIES OF LECTURES AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN FLORIDA'S AQUATIC HABITATS AND LAND USE. SPEAKERS WILL ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR WATERWAYS, THEIR SOLUTIONS, AND THE ROLE OF CITIZENS. THE SERIES WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM OF THE WELCOME AND DISCOVERY CENTER FROM 6:30 - 8:00 PM. ADMISSION IS $30 PER TICKET OR $150 FOR THE SERIES OF ALL SIX EVENTS.