Causes Worth Supporting

 

Maybe our first initiative was to conform to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 by including education as well as restrictive practices for our property owners and visiting guests. The first unofficial island turtle patrol was our “official” Palm Island turtle patrolman and resident within the Resort community. This was prior to Don Pedro, Knight and Palm Islands being a function of many volunteers under a State licensee permit holder to safeguard the nesting and hatchlings of sea turtles. CLICK HERE to read an article of interest. 

 

Palm Island Resort's relationship with Audubon Florida goes back to the very beginning. Since the 1980's, Audubon Florida has held Palm Island Resort in high regard because of the ecologically balanced focus in development, protection of shore bird habitat and natural flora preservation.  We hosted a Coastal Conservation Getaway for Audubon Florida as they commemorated Dean and Gar Beckstead in their foresight by encumbering close to 10 acres of beachfront by designating it to be a shorebird nesting sanctuary.

 

Every year, Charlotte County Natural Resources coordinates with the Resort to access the island, grade the sand of the nesting area, repair the signage and replace weathered roping which designates its location. The shorebirds must like it, as the number of nests has grown over the years although the Snowy Plover is still protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a state-designated Threatened Species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. 

 

In late 2013-early 2014, the donation of 9.77 acres of land on Thornton Key, adjacent to Palm Island was made by Garfield and Dean Beckstead. The generous donation, valued in excess of $600,000 is adjacent to the 30 acre Thornton Key Preserve purchased by Charlotte County in 2009. The donated property consisted of a number of buildable residential lots as well as several acres of environmentally sensitive wet lands which border the “Hidden Lake” area of Thornton Key. This pristine body of water is hidden from view and nearly inaccessible. All those that have found “Hidden Lake” are struck by its beauty and the extraordinary flora and fauna it supports. The Beckstead’s Palm Island gift to the Conservancy ensures that none of the acreage bordering the Lake will ever be developed or disturbed. Lemon Bay Conservancy hopes to continue with monitoring the lake for its probable spawning of game fish.

 

Palm Island's first introduction to Lemon Bay Conservancy was through the need in managing the water flow through Stump pass. Thus, the dredging of Stump Pass continues today for the benefit of Lemon Bay, the intracoastal remaining cleansed and not stagnant which benefits the spawning of so many species of fish ....... an initiative central in Lemon Bay Conservancy's core purpose.    

 

In 2015, two long time Island residents of the Bocilla Islands Chain took the lead in wanting future residents to enjoy and protect local environmental resources for years and generations to come. It was officially designated a public, not for profit 501(c)3 charity in 2016.

 

Programs have expanded to include relocation of gopher tortoises for residents building new homes, demonstration gardens promoting native and Florida friendly vegetation and trees, removal of invasive and harmful plants, island clean ups, and partnering with local businesses and governmental agencies.

 

Palm Island Resort has been a proud contributor and sponsor of its two yearly fund-raising events. A Director of the Conservancy and long time resident of Palm Island Resort, Art Auer, said “We all must try to preserve the beauty around us so future generations have the opportunity to enjoy what we have had. There is a wonderful, interesting mixture of people and families here from all over the country who have engaged in all sorts of businesses.  What could be better?"

 

The Conservancy’s President and co-founder added that “living on this unique island has shown me the importance and the impact we all have on the environment. We established the Bocilla Islands Conservancy in 2015 to help preserve these special islands that we all call home.

 

For 25 years, Palm Island Resort has been a major sponsor and donor to bring the benefits of YMCA to the west coast of Charlotte County, Florida. The annual event of Tropical Nights has been hosted by Palm Island Resort on a yearly basis every April. The silent auction has been the talk of the town and the tradition of auctioning off a puppy one year raised $12,000 to the YMCA. If you wish to bid on a cute puppy in the future, plan on bidding accordingly. One of the lucky puppies had a home with one of our property owners and loved coming down to Palm Island every fall for the season. 

 

More recently, the YMCA initiated a charter school and Palm Island Resort was pleased to be a $50,000 contributor to its inception. 

 

BUILDING A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY TOGETHER
At the Y, strengthening the foundation of our communities is our cause. The Y offers many Community Health Programs focused on providing evidence-based support to individuals, families, and whole communities

 

From the very beginning, financial support and fundraising has been an integral part of who we are and in what we wish to do for our community. In the beginning much of his was in the deed restrictions placed on the land. When the Beckstead's found Palm Island, it was a barren barrier island with game trails carved out by the coyotes and native foliage everywhere. They embraced the Charlotte County's Comprehensive Plan in a harmonious fashion to create a community plan with future growth that insures that the Island maintains its rustic, "Old Florida" character into the future. 

 

As years rolled by, more and more initiatives as well as partnerships were launched that were the catalyst as to who we are today.

And more in years to come.