Sarasota's Tree Research, Education and Exploration (TREE) Foundation may have based its Mission Green initiative on legendary oceanographer, marine biologist and environmentalist Dr. Sylvia Earle's Mission Blue—a global alliance educating and inspiring support to explore and protect the ocean's vital marine areas—but instead of dipping their toes into the ocean, they're hanging them from canopies in the treetops.

Dr. Meg Lowman, founder and lead biologist of the TREE Foundation, also fondly known as "Canopy Meg," announced yesterday that the Foundation's canopy walkway located in Penang Island, Malaysia—dubbed the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve—was officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The installation not only helps to grow and revitalize the rainforest and its immense biodiversity, but is a fitting recognition of the unique natural and cultural heritage of Penang Island and its people. 

"Biosphere Reserves the world over are celebrated for their exceptional biodiversity and distinct social landscapes as well as for their potential to demonstrate innovative ways of living in harmony with nature,' said Dato’ Harry A. Cockrell and A.Reza Cockrell, co-founders of The Habitat Group of Malaysia. "With this designation, the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, which comprises 12,481 hectares of marine and terrestrial ecosystems in the north-western part of Penang Island will be counted among a distinguished global network of 714 Biosphere Reserves across 129 countries." 

The official designation was given by the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme at a meeting held by the United Nations only once or twice a year to distinguish World Heritage sites. This one happened to take place in Abuja, Nigeria on September 15, 2021. "We just received news that the Mission Green UNESCO sanction in Malaysia went from pending to approved," shares Lowman excitedly. "We've been working with the Malaysian government for almost four years, along with a corporate sponsor which helped to build the site, and was so wonderful, they hosted a group of scientists to come out and study the area." The scientists' exploratory research, as a whole, found over 1500 species living within this tropical rainforest habitat, Lowman shares. 

The installation of the Penang Hill walkway will now work to save those species, many of which are endangered, including the rainforests themselves. The unique visitor attraction and education site ultimately helps to stimulate interest in nature and emphasize the importance of conserving the living biodiversity there. But even more so, it helps to combat the deforestation of trees to source palm oil—a robust industry throughout Malaysia and much of Indonesia where palm oil remains high in demand to make numerous consumer products, destroying the lush land of tropical rainforests in which it is found. "They will cut down an entire rainforest for the production of palm oil," says Lowman, "These trees don't just grow back. It takes thousands and thousands of years to recover those forests. Something we won't see in ou lifetime."

"We need healthy forests to provide oxygen and offset climate change," she continues. "We hope and pray these forests we're helping to conserve and protect become fabulous carbon storages for clean air and stable water. If you can't tell, we’re big advocates for saving big trees." 

Lowman goes on to share her "little baby" Myakka River State Park Canopy Walkway—TREE Foundation's original treetop walkway and pride and joy—remained the pillar of standard to which the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve was modeled after. Meanwhile, Myakka continues to bring about half a million of visitors a year and remains an exemplar for similar forest conservation projects worldwide. "We're currently applying for funds to create more education accessibility in Myakka," she shares, mentioning treetop webcams, outdoor kiosks and educational exhibits within the park to "keep Myakka as the cutting edge, coolest walkway of the planet."

You can read more about Canopy Meg's studies and stories in her newly-released book The Arbornaut: A Life Discoveing the Eighth Continent in the Trees Above Us, found at Bookstore1, Barnes & Nobles and Target.  

Pictured: The Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve in Penang Island, Malaysia.

Courtesy of Mission Green - TREE Foundation. Learn more here.

The Beckstein Charitable Fund of Manatee Community Foundation has awarded a $200,000 grant to the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Science Education Aquarium (SEA). The Fund has provided $250,000 to Mote SEA since 2018. Mote SEA is being planned for 12 acres in the Sarasota County-owned Nathan Benderson Park. The site will double the number of residents and visitors within an hour’s drive of Mote’s outreach facility. Its interactive teaching labs will be accessible to all schools in the region, including no-cost opportunities, so that each child has the chance to discover marine science and technology, first-hand.

"Our community is so very fortunate to have leading Manatee County philanthropists Gene and Anne Beckstein embrace Mote's vision of 'Oceans for All,’” said Mote President & CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby. “Their leadership gift to this campaign for the Science Education Aquarium is setting the pace to ensure the new facility's educational programs become a reality for all the K-12 school children in Manatee County."

Learn more about Manatee Community Foundation online at ManateeCF.org and more about Mote’s SEA at MoteOceansForAll.org. 

Mote SEA rendering, courtesy of Manatee Community Foundation

Well-known clothing designer, fine art painter and philanthropist, Debbie Dannheisser offers innovative and therapeutic fabric and color to her fashions that help nurture cancer patients and survivor's minds, bodies, and souls. And to help even further, Debbie Dannheisser Threads is hosting a reception on September 23rd from 5 pm to 8 pm to help support the Children's Cancer Center.  "Children with cancer and blood disorders have special physical, emotional, and psychological needs," said Dannheisser. "That is why it is an honor to host this event to help the Children's Cancer Center. The money raised from this event will support the local community and local families in their fight against pediatric cancer. The Children's Cancer Center ensures that families have the appropriate support programs, the financial support to get through the diagnosis, and any educational foundation that they need."

One evening each month will be designated to provide sales proceeds in support of a designated local charity, one of many charities which benefit from Dannheisser's long-standing and heartfelt commitment and philanthropy.  The event will be at her new studio located in the offices of Paderewski and Dannheisser Law, 1834 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236, and is open every Wednesday 10 am- 4 pm and by appointment. 

For more information on Debbie Dannheisser Threads, please visit debbiedannheisserthreads.com or call 941-350-8839. 

Pictured: Debbie Dannheisser

DreamLarge announced yesterday the creation of Friends of Rosemary Park, an initiative designed to educate, inspire and drive awareness about the City of Sarasota pocket park currently under development in the Rosemary District. The primary focus of Friends of the Rosemary Park is to support the City in gathering the thoughts, opinions and needs from residents and visitors to the Rosemary District community through the use of the recently announced Rosemary Park Survey. The survey can be taken at RosemaryParkSurvey.org, where you can also learn more about the new initiative. 

"Our goal in launching Friends of Rosemary Park is to ensure equity and inclusion in the development of this City park," said Anand Pallegar, Founder of DreamLarge and former Park Committee Chair. "An inclusive and meaningful engagement process ensures that Rosemary Park accurately reflects the needs and desires of the community it serves."  

It’s been two years since the The Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties have had the opportunity to gather together as a community to celebrate local honorees and recognize the work of its members, volunteers and donors for BGCSDC's Teen Programs. This year, the organization honored two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, and Lisa Bechtold, Executive Director of Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County at The 15th Annual Intertape Polymer Group Leadership Breakfast. Co-hosts and MCs for the event were Former State Senator, Lisa Carlton and 2021 Southeast Youth of the Year, Jorge Hernandez-Perez.

Archie Griffin was not able to be there in person but he accepted his award over live stream. Lisa Bechtold accepted her award and reminded the community of the importance of volunteering and working together. She said, we all have different skill-sets and using the gifts and talents you have can make a difference in the lives of our youth. BGCSDC Club members presented the two honoree awards and spoke as representations of that investment made by mentors and community partners.

Isaiah L. presented the award to Archie Griffin and was named Gene Matthews Youth of the Year in 2020 and 2021. Isaiah shared how being a representative for Youth of the Year instilled traits of leadership in himself and provided a platform to be a positive role model. Samantha L., a graduate of the STAR Leadership Program, presented the award to Lisa Bechtold. Samantha was awarded a two-year Townsend Scholarship, which will help her further her education and pursue her dreams of becoming a graphic designer.

All proceeds from the Leadership Breakfast will allow the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties to elevate its award-winning slate of Teen Programs.  

Photo from The 15th Annual Intertape Polymer Group Leadership Breakfast, taken by Cliff Roles

Sarasota has pledged its support to local military and veteran caregivers by signing on as a Hidden Heroes City, joining the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s network of more than 160 communities nationwide committed to identifying military caregivers and increasing awareness and support.  The Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties program is part of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Campaign launched in 2016 by Senator Elizabeth Dole, Campaign Chair Tom Hanks and nearly 200 military caregivers representing every state in the union. 

Hidden Heroes raises awareness about the issues military caregivers face, brings critical resources to our nation’s “hidden heroes” caring for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, and connects military caregivers to a community of their peers. “If we want to be a nation that truly cares for those who have borne the battle, we must also be a nation that cares for our caregivers,” said Tom Hanks, Hidden Heroes Campaign Chair.  

The City of Sarasota joined the campaign as the 169th community to sign on as a Hidden Heroes Community, one of the campaign's key national initiatives designed to develop military caregiver resources at a local level. Each Hidden Heroes City, County, or State signs on to help identify local military caregivers and deepen community resources to offer them vital support.  

“It is our duty and our honor to provide support for these ‘hidden heroes’ and the essential role they play in caring for Sarasota’s veterans and military members,” said Mayor Hagen Brody, who brought the resolution forward. “We recognize the unique challenges that they face, and we pledge to do whatever we can to help them continue their critical service in our community.”

Individuals caring for someone who served, or those who wish to support the campaign can visit HiddenHeroes.org for more information.  

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is pleased to announce two lieutenants graduated Thursday from the 22nd Command Officer Management Cohort sponsored by Saint Leo University and hosted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Corrections Lieutenants Joseph Mitchell and Ivan Nelson participated in the 18-credit hour certificate program consisting of six courses over a six-month period. Students learned about critical topics such as administrative leadership, criminal justice ethics, human resources, and critical incident management. “It is crucial that our supervisors understand and initiate agency best practices as they progress into leadership roles,” said Sheriff Hoffman. “Participation in continuing education at this level only enhances their ability to manage personnel and best serve our great community.” 

From left: Captain Debra Kiner, Lieutenant Joseph Mitchell, Lieutenant Ivan Nelson, Major Brian Meinberg, and Captain James Forrest.

Florida has the second-highest prevalence of Alzheimer's in the country, with more than 580,000 individuals battling the disease. On September 30 and October 19, join the Florida chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association for two “Lunch Time Learning” programs to help families navigate dementia caregiving for loved ones both near and far. Both programs will feature Certified Care Manager Heidi Brown and Alzheimer’s Community Educator Louise Gallagher as guest speakers. The first program on Sept. 30 will address the benefits of geriatric care management. The second program will share five insightful tips for long-distance caregivers.

“When it comes to making senior care decisions for a parent or loved one, it can be incredibly intimidating. A geriatric care manager, or aging life care professional managers, are trained health care professionals with a specialized focus on issues related to aging," said Brown. "We help families identify needs and find resources to meet those needs. Geriatric care managers can be especially helpful when family members live apart. We have extensive training but have no emotional ties or prior family history to navigate. Acting as advocates and guides throughout the aging process, we help long-distance families be successful caregivers.”

“Resetting Roles: The Gift of Geriatric Care Management” will be held at noon EDT on Thursday, Sept. 30. “Five Tips for Long-Distance Caregiving” will begin at noon EDT on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Both programs will be hosted virtually via Zoom, and registration is requested. To register, contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900 or visit bit.ly/ResettingRoles and bit.ly/AlzFiveTips.