It’s hard to imagine a more perfect setting to appreciate our little slice of paradise than Rhonda and Tom Lowe’s spectacularly landscaped Rock City Gardens. Roughly 400 supporters of the Indian River Land Trust gathered there under a clear night sky last Thursday, soaking in all the delightful evening had to offer at an event to celebrate Land Water Wildlife: Preserving Our Roots. The fundraiser was presented by Stephanie and Orin Smith and co-chaired by Mary Juckiewicz and Lee Moore. Honorary co-chairs were King and Dace Stubbs.
Talented Vero Beach High School jazz musicians entertained arriving guests as they wound their way along pathways to the garden’s broad expanse, where the bluegrass music of Melbourne’s Penny Creek Band filled the crisp night air.
Everything was done with an eye toward highlighting and preserving our roots, from the stunning, hand-drawn table runners and silent auction drawings by architect and IRLT board member Peter Moor, to the natural Florida greenery showcased in 118 verdant floral arrangements designed by Monti Jones of Monti’s Flower Market, and even the selection of local craft beers from Orchid Island and Walking Tree Breweries. Elizabeth Kennedy Catering served up delectable passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a delicious dinner buffet of sausage and peppers, fried oysters, roasted chicken and a varied assortment of side dishes.
The Pie Shack was a sweet addition this year, with mouth-watering pies by Holly Turnmanour of the Smokehouse Grill in Vero Beach. And the slight nip in the late evening air drew plenty of partygoers to the fire pit where they toasted marshmallows for ooey-gooey s’mores.
“This has gotten better every year,” said Director Emeritus Toni Robinson. “It’s just so important; we’ve saved miles of shoreline on the lagoon. We have the cleanest stretch of lagoon in this area; it’s badly polluted south of us.”
“The Land Trust is quite pleased with the turnout this evening, and having exceeded our fundraising goals once again,” said IRLT Executive Director Ken Grudens. “It’s wonderful to celebrate the overall impact the Indian River Land Trust has made in Vero Beach by preserving wildlife habitat, protecting our scenic waterfront and providing public access for recreation and education.”
“It’s so exciting,” said Emily Tremml. “We have been supporters of the Nature Conservancy for years, and that preserves properties all over the world. With the Land Trust, we’re supporting where we live.”
The mission of the Land Trust is to protect and preserve environmentally sensitive land, with a current focus on acreage that impacts the Indian River Lagoon, the most diverse estuary in North America.
Many of the properties acquired, such as the 187-acre Lagoon Greenway, contain recreational hiking and biking trail systems which are open to the public for all to enjoy.
