Anne Macias
Our Inspiration
The Macias Wildlife Society was formed in 2018 after Anne passed away…… to carry on her mission of wildlife educational outreach. Anne and Dr. Penny Finley began programs with the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Department of Education in 2013. These program are now continuing with other Professors at FGCU.
Anne was an avid wildlife photographer and began the bird nest counts on our Bonita Bay Bird Rookery Islands in 2016…a program that continues each year.
Today we are a partner with FGCU Service-Learning program. We offer volunteer projects for undergraduate students who require these credits to graduate. One of the programs is virtual where students create Field Guides on various topics. We provide a template and photos, they do the research and write the text. W
We also fund wildlife and ecology research projects with the FGCU Department of Biological Sciences.
About us
The Macias Wildlife Society of Bonita Bay, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission dedicated to wildlife educational outreach and research. We are registered Service-Learning partner with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) for FGCU students who need to complete their mandatory 80 hours of volunteer work with a non-profit or government entity. We also collaborate with the FGCU College of Education and share programs we create with local teachers and elementary school children. Bonita Bay residents, benefit from our wildlife and bird programs presented during the day at the Bonita Bay Community Activities Center and in the evening at Estero Park. The Macias Wildlife Society also funds research projects with the FGCU College of Biological Sciences.
The Macias Wildlife Society has now combined with the Bonita Bay Nature Club. After 23 years, Bart Culver and Ned Gaffney decided to retire in 2024 from their amazing run hosting and planning the Nature Club meetings. Nature programs will continue to be presented as Nature@Night Jan-April on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month, 7:00pm at the Bonita Bay Community Association, Activities Center.
Macias Wildlife Society Board members, are now organizing the Nature@Night programs and sponsoring speakers and planning the field trips. The Nature@Night will continue as it has in the past with no requirement to join or pay a membership fee, just send an email to sign-up to be on the email list.
The Macias Wildlife Society will remain a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with memberships and donations to support the cost of materials and programing for wildlife educational outreach for our local community and other Bonita Bay projects such as the Bonita Bay Bird Identification signs, speaker stipends and Bird/Nature documentaries. Members include the Bonita Bay residents who donate to the organizations. A special fund raising event is held in April each year.
Macias Wildlife Society Board Members
Sandy Hollenhorst- Director & President
Paul Gavin-Director & Vice President
John Pinti-Director & Treasurer
Loraine Tyre-Director
Bill Erickson-Director
Contact us at: [email protected]
Donations may be sent to:
Macias Wildlife Society, P.O. Box 366002, Bonita Springs, FL 34136
