- April 15, 2025
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Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast President Christine Johnson, Honorary Chair Cornelia Matson, and Director of Marketing and Events Sam Valentin
Photo by Janet CombsElizabeth Moore, Hillary Swain, and Marley Hanzel make a colorful entrance at Party in Paradise held at Bay Preserve at Osprey.
Photo by Janet CombsJaime Goulet and Desmond Landry check-in Party in Paradise guests Josh and Caroline Weiner.
Pat and Wendy Carlton with Mike and Darlene Warm
Photo by Janet CombsRon Kendall is dressed in style with Kristi and Michael Ballantyne at Party in Paradise, benefiting Gulf Coast Conservation Foundation (now Big Waters Land Trust).
Photo by Janet CombsJane Grandbouche and daughter Shana Zamikoff enjoy a night out. Zamikoff is wearing a a vintage dress her grandmother wore in 1960.
Photo by Janet CombsThe table hors d'oeuvres provided by Michael's on East were as beautiful as the guests, including Roxanne Mitchell and Georgia Hudson.
Photo by Janet CombsJoe and Emma Kate Silvistri with Jessica and Rick Scherzer
Photo by Janet CombsConservation Foundation's Director of Philanthropy Lee Ann Rodriguez is holding fresh coconut water from Surfing Coconut which is owned by Amanda Chan.
Justin Bloom, Tal Siddique, Summer Bloom and Kristen Truong toast to land conservation, which is the focus of this event.
Photo by Janet CombsJake and Angela Hartvigsen are chatting with Alexis and Walter Alm, who flew down from Chicago to support this event.
Photo by Janet CombsPhillip and Tami Lanham
Photo by Janet CombsBob Boston and Pam Revels enjoy appetizers and the orange sunset over Sarasota Bay.
Photo by Janet CombsKarla Browne and Kevin O'Toole
Photo by Janet CombsPerformance artists Daniel Louis and Hannah Baghall
Photo by Janet CombsMark Steinwachs, Doug and Erin Christy, Amber Lamerson and Jennifer Johnston
Photo by Janet CombsHillary Swain, Daniel Dingeman, Mark Sullivan and Shana Zamikoff
Photo by Janet CombsGina Tedesco, Greg Huffman and Conservation Foundation Land Steward Esmeralda Figueras
Photo by Janet CombsJoel and Bri Johnson
Photo by Janet CombsDarlene Warm and Yuliya Beldvinks
Photo by Janet CombsWilliam Johnson, Dan Raker and Mike Warm
Photo by Janet CombsBrandon Queen and Melissa Strassner
Photo by Janet CombsJorge and Elena Blanco
Photo by Janet CombsJeremy Wright-Basco and Andrew Basco
Photo by Janet CombsSidney and Anita Holec are always all smiles as they support the Conservation Foundation.
Photo by Janet CombsKaeleigh Aguirre with Marketing and Events Manager Tianna Buswell-Porter
Photo by Janet CombsChristine Johnson and Sam Valentin speak to the guests about Conservation Foundation's commitments to land conservation.
Photo by Janet CombsTarryn and Jason Troutman of Auction Horizon in Osprey, run an exciting auction that raised money for Conservation Foundation's mission.
Photo by Janet CombsRob Brown, and committee member Rosemary Eure
Photo by Janet CombsIn celebration of its 20-year anniversary, the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast threw a modernized take on the traditional cocktail party titled Party in Paradise Feb. 3 at Bay Preserve at Osprey, the land trust's historic headquarters.
The well-manicured, Old Florida grounds combined with an award winning sunset helped make the evening picture-perfect for some 250 guests. Through the generosity of local distiller Siesta Key Rum, signature drinks were the special, and a rum-tasting bar was set up during the event for those who cared to indulge. Most everyone had a trendy Surfing Coconut in hand as they sipped on the pure water from custom branded coconuts. A dedicated dessert hour ensured that everyone had a chance to satisfy their sweet tooth before hitting the tented dance floor where the Deleon Band entertained with covers of familiar tunes.
A fast-paced auction was held, and guests had opportunities to purchase experiences in nature which were specially curated for this event. Over $350,000 was raised in total from the efforts of Party in Paradise.
"It's our 20th anniversary year so we wanted to do something extra special — it seemed like a party was only fitting," said Sam Valentin, Conservation Foundation director of marketing and events. "We are so thankful for the deep generosity of our conservation community. Their investment in our mission helps ensure Southwest Florida remains the paradise we know and love for generations to come."
The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting land and water in Southwest Florida, and envisions a future where the human and natural worlds flourish together. To date it has protected 19,233 acres across 57 properties.
