"Magic Under the Mangroves," the Conservancy of Southwest Florida's fund-raiser that supports environmental programs, returned to its original site, the Southwest Florida Nature Center campus, March 8. Although the center is still under renovation, enough space had been allocated to host the eco-friendly event with land-themed decor and food inspired by the outdoors.
"This idea came from the concept of the conservancy," said Brianna Alcorn, marketing manager for Alexandria, Virginia-based Windows Catering Company, whose proprietors, Henry and Carol Dinardo, are supporters of the conservancy. "We wanted it to feel like nature, an outdoor feeling that felt earthy and green."
Staffers filled a stationary hors d'oeuvres setting with more than just food for the 400 guests. Wheatgrass, moss, and real tree stumps surrounded items like sautéed wild mushrooms on crisp mushroom wafers presented on toadstools, butternut squash pops filled with boursin cheese and leeks, and shrimp salad in cups made to look like flower pots. Guests also dined on a three-course dinner starting with a Florida lobster galette, followed by a grass-fed loin of lamb and a plated dessert with passed mignardises. The Garden District provided flowers and decor for the event, including tall centerpieces with grass and pastel-colored linens for dinner tables.
A live auction held during the event helped the conservancy raise a record $730,000. During the "tortoise time" live auction to support the upkeep of spaces at the conservancy including an upland scrub that is hope to more than 70 threatened gopher tortoises, sponsor Macy's matched the first $10,000 raised. Tiffany & Company also provided 100 "mystery blue boxes" for guests to purchase at $250 each where one of them included a $9,300 Tiffany Atlas cocktail watch.
