Summertime and the Livin' is...Busy!

Mary Barley is the Newest Guardian, with Her Late Husband, George

Mary Barley and Nicholas Petrucci ©Connie BransilverBarley Basin ©Connie Bransilver

Thanks to a wonderful introduction by Nat Reed, Mary Barley has agreed to be the newest Guardian of the Everglades.  Mary and George, along with their colleague and friend, Paul Tudor Jones, adored living and fishing on Florida Bay. In the 1980s they found upstream problems causing incredible algal blooms in the bay, turning once crystal water the color of pea soup. It was nearly dead. With Nat's guidance, they became tireless advocates for restoration from north of Lake Okeechobee all the way down to Florida Bay.  After George's untimely death in a plane crash in the 1990s, Mary took up the banner and has been an activist and leader in Everglades restoration.  Besides, she is a perfectly delightful person and now friend.  See More about Mary & George Barley.

Shooting Lee Tiger for the Documentary

Director Sandy Cannon-Brown and the film crew of Ed Clay, Hank Sorrick and Connie spent three days in the field in Miccosukee lands/waters. We interviewed Lee Tiger on behalf of his father, Buffalo Tiger, along with Betty Osceola, a family member who now operates Buffalo Tiger Airboat Rides. Special treat: Buffalo was up and having lunch in the Miccosukee Restaurant with us. As soon as we have some edited clips, we will be posting them, but in the meantime, please visit facebook.com/evergladesguardians to see some production clips of the crew racing through the River of Grass on Buffalo's airboat.

African Genesis - Unique and Exclusive Visit to the Kibale, Uganda, Chimpanzee Research Site

African Genesis Intelligent Thought - Chimp ©Connie Bransilver

This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore human evolution in its birthplace with two of the most exciting and innovative evolutionary thinkers of our times. I have been there, worked with Richard Wrangham and his chimpanzee community, and truly, it is one of the greatest experiences of my life.  See for yourself.  (Click here)

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Exhibition Ends - Sort Of

Guardians of the Everglades Preview Exhibition in the theater at Blair Adubon Center closing date was May 20. Corkscrew kept six endangered species banners in the entry hall and we added 16 framed native orchid prints. They will all be on display throughout the summer. Summer reveals a whole new swamp scene. The mammals arrive and the flowers -- orchids and wild hibiscus, a summertime favorite.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Hibiscus ©Connie Bransilver Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Exhibit ©Connie Bransilver Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Exhibit ©Connie Bransilver

Coming Soon - lots of time in the field during our wonderful tropical rainy season and painting the remaining Guardians.

Audubon and More

The Audubon Gala Feb. 7

Connie Bransilver & Guardian Deb Jansen at the Audubon Gala©RJ Wileywas a roaring success -- a full banquet hall, money raised through the auctions, 15 endangered species banners supporting the main event, and seven portraits along with touching and rousing tales from the live Guardians who stepped up to their portraits to tell their own stories.  Those whose portraits are still in production were represented by film clips and by their live attendance as well.  View the video (below) and please check the photos at facebook.com/evergladesguardians.

As Beth Preddy wrote: "I experienced the message viscerally. . . with tears and swelling heart, and am so inspired about being a guardian and, well, helping to start the guardian movement. . . . A  potentially transformative moment is upon us for a grassroots campaign to do, as Ed (Carlson) said, whatever it takes, however hard it may be."

Endangered Species Banner of Crested Caracara at Audubon Gala ©Connie Bransilver

Guardian Franklin Adams Composite at the Audubon Gala ©RJ Wiley

Lee Tiger, son of Guardian Buffalo Tiger at the Audubon Gala ©RJ Wiley

Guardians Ed Carlson & Nat Reed at the Audubon Gala ©RJ Wiley

Guardians of the Everglades Exhibit Officially Opens March 9th

Click image to see invite larger

It's Guardian Ed Carlson's birthday celebration from 5:00 - 7:30 at  Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.  COME!  Join us in honoring Ed's 44 years of service at Corkscrew.  IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

Portfolio Magazine Naples Article on Guardians of the Everglades

Peeking fox on display at Corkscrew ©Connie BransilverPortfolio Magazine Naples February features Bo Hemmer's stunning article on Guardians of the Everglades, featuring the portraits, the endangered species images, and it directs viewers to the Corkscrew Sanctuary exhibition. Click here for a copy of the article.

Thank you to Cypress Trust Company, Naples, Palm Beach and Vero Beach

for hosting three very elegant evenings featuring our Guardians of the Everglades Lectures.  The audiences were well informed, fully engaged, and our art, slide show, poetry, rough cuts and polished videos elicited laughter, sighs, great questions and obvious involvement in the project.

Blue Flag Prairie Iris at Corkscrew ©Connie Bransilver

Corkscrew Swamp Hibiscus on display at Corkscrew ©Connie Bransilver

Anhinga on display at Corkscrew ©Connie BransilverSanhill Crane on display at Corkscrew ©Connie Bransilver

Things Are Popping!

First, we want to thank the Puffin Foundation for helping to make Guardians of the Everglades possible.

It's "Season" here in south Florida, and we have a lot to share.

Collier County Audubon and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary host GUARDIANS OF THE EVERGLADES as their annual Gala Feb. 7.   www.collieraudubon.info/home_pg_news/F%26Fad.pdf

Senator Bob Graham ©Nicholas PetrucciGuardians of the Everglades Exhibition featuring 7 Guardians' portraits, 15 endangered species sheer panels, photographic prints, sounds and visual installations opens Feb 15 for a six week run at Blair Audubon Center Theater, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Visits to the exhibit are free with admission to the Sanctuary.
www.corkscrew.audubon.org

Sen. Bob Graham's portrait is the newest addition and if you can't come to the shows, view it on the web site and at GuardiansoftheEverglades.com/guardians

Magazine, newspaper and radio coverage has been generous.  Gulf Shore Life Magazine - www.gulfshorelife.com - featured four of the Guardians, one orchid panel, and an article in the February issue, page 152.  Anne Claire Shilton at the Fort Myers News Press produced a very flattering article: http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013301200002&nclick_check=1.  John Davis of WGCU interviewed both of us on his weekly Gulf Coast Live radio show. www.wgcu.org/WGCU-Shows/gulf-coast-live.  We are grateful for all the coverage.

Everglades at High Water with Cypress Knees ©Connie BransilverStill to be distributed, Portfolio Magazine's Bill Hemmer interviewed us for a feature article in the February issue.  www.portfoliomagazinenaples.com

Bill produced an exhibit at Miromar Design Center in Estero, FL, during January with works from nature photographers who had been featured in Portfolio over the past years, as well as three of Nicholas' paintings since his paintings had also been featured in Portfolio.  Fine Lines Experience requested that we extend at Miromar until June 1st and we are honored to do so.  www.finelinesexperience.com

Our first of three multimedia lectures for Cypress Trust Company went very well in Naples.  Two more are scheduled in February in Vero Beach and Palm Beach. We appreciate the opportunity to share our enthusiasm for the Guardians and their work.
www.cypresscapitalgroup.com/new/cypresscapitalgroup/

Great Egret ©Connie BransilverThe first question after the lecture was "How can we contribute?"  We were not prepared to answer then, but we are now, and we have posted the answer on our web site at www.guardiansoftheeverglades.com/how-to-help/ Please have a look and become a part of the project.

We thank you all, and particularly we thank Ed Clay and Hank Sorrick who are, so far, contributing their considerable filmmaking skills. We also want to thank Kim Yantis-Strycharski and Jennifer Tisthammer at Deering Estate at Cutler in Miami for making it our best exhibition yet!

Connie (and Nicholas)
 

May We All Share the Gift of Peace

To our Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Baháï, Shinto, Hindu, Native American, Sikh, Animist, Agnostic and Atheist family and friends,
 
May we all share the gift of peace.
 
With gratitude for your friendship and support and for life itself,
 
Nicholas and Connie

Invitation - Feathers and Friends Gala

In honor of the heroes who dedicate their lives to preserve one of America's
last great wildernesses for the  benefit of future generations.

Please join us as the evening intertwines captivating storytelling, art and music
about Everglades  conservation featuring photography by Connie Bransilver and life size
portraits by artist Nicholas Petrucci.  

Three of the Guardians of the Everglades ©Nicholas PetrucciOn this evening come hear stories about the Everglades from Franklin Adams, Clyde Butcher, Ed Carlson, Deb Jansen, Nathaniel Reed and Lee Tiger (representing Buffalo Tiger). We will also honor other Guardians not present: Joe Browder, Senator Bob Graham, Roy McBride and Dr. Hilary Swain.

Everglades Photo ©Connie Bransilver

Where: Naples Beach Hotel
851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N, Naples, FL 34102
Directions

6:30 pm Reception - Silent Auction - 7:30 pm Dinner

RSVP by January 18, 2013
Call (239) 643-7822 or register online:
feathersandfriends2013.com

$125.00 per person - Cocktail Attire   -  Cash Bar  -  Valet Parking 

EXHIBIT OPENS AT AUDUBON'S INTERNATIONALLY
RENOWNED CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY

February 15 - March 31, 2013

A dramatic display of Guardians' portraits, endangered species sheer banners, landscape photographic prints, sounds and visual installations depicting the Everglades will be on display in the multimedia theater at Blair Audubon Center, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, after the Gala.  Visits to the exhibit are free with admission to the Sanctuary. The exhibit is open during normal Sanctuary hours.

www.corkscrew.audubon.org

The 10th Guardian - Joe Browder

Conservation Strategist Joe Browder ©Connie BransilverJoe Browder, Conservation Strategist:

Joe Browder is an unassuming man who quietly works his expertise on the Everglades. His extensive knowledge of history guides us in the right direction for preservation. He has earned a reputation as the guardian’s guardian, negotiating effectively on behalf of environmental causes. His name always surfaces among those who follow wise and sustainable water use and resource management policies.  Joe’s 1993 social studies textbook, “Save the Everglades” is still in use throughout the country.  His numerous publications on energy and environmental policy and natural resource management along with his awards can be daunting. Yet, there is another side to the man who spends his time with global leaders developing policy for sustainable water and land use. There is the Joe Browder who is entirely at home in the back country of the Everglades, a broad smile on his face as he walks in several feet of cool, clean water, arms extended as if he is dancing.  He is like a boy, thrilled at being out in the wilderness, but he is also the great strategist and thinker we have come to rely on. Joe was a key figure in preventing Big Cypress from becoming an international airport hub, in returning Big Cypress to National Park Service protection, and in building the national campaign for Everglades restoration.  We respect him and we now know him as a trusted friend.

See all the Guardians of the Everglades here.

Everglades Political Future

A New Day in the Everglades, Aerial ©Connie BransilverDear Friends,

The election's settled. We can't know the fate of the Everglades yet, but based on Pres. Obama's previous statements, we are optimistic.  

The Tampa Bay Times quoted the President: "If we don't do something to reverse course, damage to the Everglades will continue to harm our water supply, diminish tourism, and ultimately cost us jobs.  That is why I've made restoring the Everglades a national priority. Over the last three and a half years, we have invested more than $1.5 billion in Everglades restoration . . . to jump-start restoration construction projects and support a conservation approach. . .cut the red tape, [and] strengthen partnerships with state, tribal and local leaders. . . [W]e also announced an additional $80 million investment to support farmers and ranchers who voluntarily conserve wetlands . [Note: That's Guardian Dr. Hilary Swain's bailiwick]. . And to build on this success, I've proposed investing another $246 million in Everglades restoration . . critical to the long-term health of the Everglades."

Our Guardians, leaders in all aspects of restoration, are key players.

Support our documentary so we can tell many thousands the remarkable stories of these heroes of Everglades conservation.  If you have already pledged, a big thank you, and if you can take the next step we will be grateful.  Post it on your social media page and send to your personal e-mailing list.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1991620124/guardians-of-the-everglades-the-documentary

Thank you very much!

Connie (and Nicholas)

Portrait of Ed Carlson Completed

Ed Carlson, Director Emeritus, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary ©Nicholas Petrucci

Just completed, the portrait of Ed Carlson, Director Emeritus of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Ed Carlson, native of South Florida and Former Director of the Audubon Society's acclaimed Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, looks and moves like the outdoorsman he is -- big, tall, soft spoken and gentlemanly.  The Sanctuary, through Ed’s leadership, is the center of protection for crucial wetlands constantly under pressure to yield to development.  Ed Carlson stands firm for the last, best wood stork nesting grounds and the watershed making human and stork existence there possible.

Artist Talk and Exhibit Opening

Kickstarter Started - Join Us Now!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1991620124/guardians-of-the-everglades-the-documentary

Production team with Franklin Adams ©Connie BransilverWhat is Kickstarter?  It is the world's largest funding platform for creative projects -- like Guardians of the Everglades.

Our project is real wilderness. Real heroes. Incredible stories. Breathtaking fine art. Endangered species. One documentary -- Guardians of the Everglades.

You don't just watch this film. You feel it. You live it. And now you can be a part of it -- the art, the stories, conservation, heroes, these Guardians of the Everglades. Be an "angel."  CLICK HERE.

You can participate by pledging AND and by sending this newsletter to YOUR mailing list, and to the organizations you support for THEIR distribution.  Besides joining in a unique conservation communication and action project, the REWARDS are great -- and many are perfect holiday gifts.  

Watch the Guardians of the Everglades documentary come alive! As an "angel" you are an insider, you are part of the production!  CLICK HERE.

Guardian Clyde Butcher and Camera ©Connie Bransilver

Production team with Deb Jansen in Big cypress. ©Nicholas Petrucci

Banners at Everglades National Park ©Connie Bransilver

Production team with Franklin Adams ©Connie Bransilver

Connie Bransilver deworming young panther ©John Kellam

Connie Bransilver & Nicholas Petrucci