Nearly 400 preservationists gathered under the stars among the tropical landscape of Rock City Gardens last Thursday evening at Land Water Wildlife: Restoring OUR Lagoon, a fundraiser to benefit the Indian River Land Trust. Organizers expected to raise $235,000 thanks to presenting sponsors Stephanie Smith and Lollie Stone and other generous sponsorships.

“I became passionate about saving land through my mother as a child, and I do a lot of this to honor her,” said Lee Moore, event co-chair with Mary Juckiewicz. Moore’s mother, Toni Robinson, is IRLT Director Emeritus.

“The work the Land Trust does is vital,” Moore added. “Once you sell land to a developer it’s gone forever. The Land Trust is saving land that nobody else would.”

Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while perusing auction items as Indian River Charter High School students played soothing background music. Later, guests dined al fresco on a sumptuous spread prepared by Elizabeth Kennedy & Co., listened to big band music by the Jordan Thomas Orchestra and got a sneak peek of “Nutcracker on the Indian River,” a Ballet Vero Beach production premiering Dec. 29 which IRLT collaborated on to create environmental scenery.

“The crowd tonight represents how far we’ve come as an organization and all we’ve done for this community,” said Ken Grudens, IRLT executive director. “The support we have is overwhelming and wonderful. We’ve completed several coastal restoration projects that will be a model for future management of our lagoon shoreline. And we’re excited about the direction some of our new projects are taking.”

“It isn’t that we’re running out of green lands to protect,” said Ned Dayton, honorary chair with wife Sherry Ann. “There are so many things that are happening that are going to affect the lagoon that is out of our control. If the lagoon dies, we are all in trouble.”

“You have made the Indian River Land Trust the success that it is,” said Chuck Cramb, board chairman. “Without you, we wouldn’t be what we are. We have purchased and protected 10 miles of lagoon shoreline and 1,000 acres of land. It’s our job, not only to procure things but it’s all about protecting that land, protecting the water and preserving it for future generations of people. It’s not just land it’s also the lagoon and how that land can impact that lagoon.”