Thank you to everyone who bid on and purchased items during this year’s Silent Eco-Auction at our CREW Concert! Did you miss out on an item? Watch our website for announcements regarding the 2019 CREW Concert & Silent Eco-Auction and hopefully you can snag a similar item next year. If you are interested in donating an item, please email anne@crewtrust.org and we will provide you with a donation form and contact information for our hard-working Silent Eco-Auction commitee.
One of the highlights of our annual concert is the Silent Eco-Auction! This year’s auction features 36 unique eco-themed lots donated by area resorts, tour leaders, destinations, CREW members and friends.
Take a look at this year’s items and come ready to bid and bid often on Feb. 24, 2018 at our CREW Concert & Silent Eco-Auction at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs.
2018 Silent Eco-Auction Items
A Year of Organically-raised and pastured meats and dairy from Rosy Tomorrows Heritage Farm
Donated by Rose O’Dell King and Gary King
Enjoy a year of organically-raised and pastured meats from heritage breeds along with dairy products from grass-fed Jersey cows from Rosy Tomorrows Heritage Farm in North Fort Myers! The winning bidder will have a meet-and-greet with owners Rose O’Dell King and Gary King and see their gorgeous farm, enjoying an annual CSA membership and member’s access to the farm. Rose and Gary will choose each month’s selections based on the bounty of the farm. Enjoy AGA Certified 100% grass fed beef in all cuts: rib eyes, strip steaks, ribs, roasts, ground chuck, flank, skirt, stew cubes, etc. Red Wattle heritage pork, in all cuts along with artisanal small batch sausages, pork belly, pork chops, bacon, bone broth, yogurt, cheeses, and much more. Monthly selections can begin at anytime beginning in March for one year. Winner may bring guests to the farm for free.
Swamp Buggy Ride for 10 at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Donated by Ed Carlson, CREW Trust Trustee
Join experienced back-country guide and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary history expert Ed Carlson for this one-of-a-kind experience! You and 9 friends will join Ed for a 2-hour tour and learn about swamp ecology, the importance of conservation in Southwest Florida and the history of the CREW Project. Date to be determined with the guide at a mutally convenient time. Expires 2/24/2019.
Organic Gardening Basket
Donated by Mary Kay Cassani
Ready, set GROW! Get busy in your garden with this basket chock full of gardening books, a gardening journal and garden tools.
A Year of Chocolate from Norman Love Confections
Donated by Norman Love
Treat yourself off the trails with a year’s wort of artisan chocolate from the award-winning Norman Love Confections! The high bidder will receive a 15-piece box from the Norman Love Signature Collection, shipped directly to the winner or the recipient of your choice, each month for one year.
Roseate Spoonbill framed artwork
Donated by Andrew West
Award-winning photographer Andrew West is currently working within the CREW Project, capturing Florida panthers and other wildlife on his remote camera trap. The piece he has donated features Roseate Spoonbills, a favorite bird of visitors to Southwest Florida.
Keewaydin Island Picnic and Shelling Cruise
Donated by Captain Dom Cotugno/SW Florida Boat Tours
This 5-hour cruise to Keewaydin Island is an adventure your group of 6 will remember for a lifetime! Cruise from Naples via the inland waterways or the Gulf of Mexico, depending on conditions, to Keewaydin Island. After an anchored, onboard picnic luncheon or beach picnic, you and your party will explore the island and go shelling. Tour typically departs at 10 or 11 a.m. and returns at 3-4 p.m. Date of cruise subject to agreement between winning bidder and SW Florida Boat Tours.
Brew for a Day at Momentum Brewhouse
Donated by Brian Hahn
Fulfill your craft beer dreams and become a brewer for a day at award-winning Momentum Brewhouse! You’ll be guided through the process by talented brewmasters in this can’t miss experience.
Self-Guided Kayak Trips on the Estero River
Donated by Jim Whitmore
Enjoy a kayak trip once a month from May 2018 to October 2018. Either a two-person or two one-person kayaks may be reserved for one day each month. Pelican Sound River & Golf Club will provide the kayaks, paddles and life vests. Kayks are available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with kayak launch into the Estero River from the River Club within Pelican Sound Golf & River Club.
Carson 10x50mm 3HD Binoculars
Donated by Lori Nelson
No more squinting and playing “Is that a panther or is that a dried-out shrubbery?”! Bid on these Carson TD-050 10x500mm 3D series binoculars and see every warbler, sparrow, hawk and maybe even a panther on your next peaceful hike.
Spring Wildflower Walk at CREW for up to 20 people
Donated by Brenda Thomas
Gather your Garden Club or nature-loving friend friends for a unique wildflower experience! FGCU Environmental Science Instructor Brenda Thomas will lead a group of up to 20 guests on a 2-3 hour wildlfower walk at CREW’s Cypress Dome Trails. Brenda served as the CREW Trust’s Environmental Education Specialist from 2007-2010 and will bring the ecosystems of the trail to life for your group. Tour is offered on a mutually agreed upon weekend in April 2018 when wildflowers are in bloom.
Casa Ybel Experience
Donated by Larry and Allison Blankenship
Relax in a one-bedroom beach front suite at the Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel Island! You’ll enjoy a 3-day, 2 night stay and dinner for two at the Thistle Lodge beachfront restaurant. Must be used May 2018 through December 2018.
Good Fortune II Cruise for 8 people
Donated by Conservancy of SW FL
Take a cruise through Rookery Bay aboard the Conservancy of SW FL’s 33-passenger pontoon boat. Wildlife sighting opportunities include many species of birds, dolphins, manatees and other unique Florida animals. Booking must take place by the end of March 2018.
Moultrie M-8881 Digital Game Camera
Donated by CREW Volunteer Tom Mortenson
Wondering what’s wandering in your yard? Prowling your preserve? Or do you just love all the game camera photos CREW Trust posts on Facebook? Bid on this camera, donated by volunteer and CREW Trust’s Game Camera Master Tom Mortenson! The Moultrie M-888i game camera is a black flash digital camrea triggered to take pictures automatically by passing wildlife, day or night. The camera can also be used for security purposes.
Eastern Screech Owl Box
Donated by Brian Beckner/Native Bird Boxes
This handcrafted, rough cedar bird box was created by Native Bird Boxes to encourage nesting for Eastern Screech owls, These small owls tend to live in all forest types including pine scrubs, cypress swamps, sand hills and agricultural and urban settings.
Eastern Bluebird Box
Donated by Brian Beckner/Native Bird Boxes
Though Eastern Bluebirds are migratory, sometimes they can be found at the same place year-round! Attract them to your yard with this handcrafted bird box from Native Bird Boxes, created to encourage nesting for Easter Bluebirds. They are found actively in dry pine flatlands, mixed pine scrub and other hardwood forests and in areas with scattered trees.
Set of 6 Nature Notes
Donated by CREW Trust Volunteer Janet Bunch
Volunteer naturalist Janet Bunch draws inspiration for her handcrafted notes from her many hikes throughout Southwest Florida. “The items that intrigue me are so small they virtually unnoticed,” Janet explained. “But their beauty is striking when you examine them closely.”
Exclusive Birthday Hike at the CREW Marsh Trails
Donated by The CREW Trust
Hit the trails and celebrate your birthday – or any occasion! Your volunteer naturalist guide will lead you and up to 11 friends on a private guided walk at the CREW Marsh Trails, stopping at Suzanne’s Pavilion for a sweet treat – gourmet cupcakes from Perfectly Scrumptious!
Exclusive Bird Rookery Swamp Bike Tour for 10
Donated by CREW Volunteer Peter Davis
Experience the unique wildlife and vegetation of the more remote parts of Bird Rookery Swamp on this private bike tour with Peter Davis, CREW volunteer naturalist and local cyclist. You’ll see alligators, many types of wading birds and enjoy the cool shade of cypress trees. This tour will take 3-4 hours and is suited for those with a moderate physical fitness level, including the ability to pedal a bicycle for 3 hours on grassy trail with some obstacles. Bikes not included; date of tour to be agreed upon by guide and winner of experience and is subject to the re-opening of the trail after hurricane repairs are complete.
Handcrafted Fishing Rod
Donated by Doug Machesney, CREW Trust Trustee
This one-of-a-kind item and experience is something we look forward to each year! Doug will create a fishing rod just for you, made to your specifications! Spin, fly, cast – you choose! This is a unique item and perfect for the fishing enthusiast in your life.
FGCU/FL Wildlife Basket
Donated by Ricky Pires
Wild panthers aren’t particularly snuggly, but go ahead and cuddle up with this stuffed panther kitten! The winner of this basket will receive the aforementioned snuggles, a stuffed bear, wildlife photos, and more.
Gulf Sunset Cruise for 6 guests
Donated by Captain Dom Cotugno, SW Florida Boat Tours
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or just want to relax and enjoy the gorgeous Gulf views, this sunset cruise is perfect for you! SW Florida Boat Tours will tailor this 2-3 hour tour to you and your guests. Their EGret 290 departs an hour before susnet, tours Naples Bay and Port Royal waters before making its way to the gulf for the Florida sunset. Your party can bring food, beverages and alcohol or arrange for a custom catered cruise. Date of cruise subject to agreement between winning bidder and Southwest Florida Boat Toars. Valid through 2/24/2019.
Fossil Trip for 2
Donated by Mark & Marisa Renz
Join guides Mark and Marisa Renz for a guided walk-in fossil trip for two with Fossil Expeditions! You’ll get to dig into a river bed and screen for mammal, shark and reptile fossils on this memorable experience – just like people have seen on the Travel Channel! Date, time and location to be arranged by you with your guides. Expires 2/24/2019.
Norfolk Pine Lidded Box
Pair of Lathe-turned Silky Oak Boals
Australian Pine Bowl and Multipurpose Tool
Donated by Bill Helfferich
These three separate lots were created by Bill Helfferich, a friend of the CREW Trust and talented woodworker. Helfferich was involved with the CREW Project at the very beginning in 1988 as part of the land management team at the South Florida Water Management District that acquired and managed more than 35,000-acres of environmentally sensitive land. He worked by side with Joel Kuperberg, founder of the CREW Trust, and Jim Goodwin, CREW’s original land manager. He retired in 2010 and now spends part of his time creating unique works of art.
Fakahatchee Swamp Hike
Donated by Steve Houseknecht
You and three guests will experience a half-day (4-hour) natrualist-guided swamp walk through Fakhatchee Strand State Preserve Park, the orchid and bromeliad capital of the United States! Explore the surprising world of plants and animals that call the preserve home. Time and date to be determined with the guide. Expires 4/30/2019.
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge Tour
Donated by Kevin Godsea
Winner of this item receives a 2 hour swamp buggy tour for 6 of the wild and wonderful Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge with guide Kevin Godsea. Learn abou tthe history of the refuge while riding through panther habitat. Tour date will be arranged with guide at a mutually convenient time. Expires 2/24/2019.
Overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport
Donated by Joe Nugent
Enjoy a one night stay and breakfast at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Towne Center, conveniently located near Southwest Florida International Airport and Gulf Coast Towne Center.
Captain Bob’s Excellent Adventure
Donated by Pete Corradino
This tour is geared towards younger adventurers, yet suitable for explorers of all ages. Expert naturalists will teach you about the amazing alligators, snakes, turtles, beras birds and other wildlife that call the Everglades home. This tour includes an airboat ride and reptile show with the opportunity to hold an alligator.
Planet Earth DVD and “Earth” coffee table book
Donated by Mary Kay Cassani
Enjoy this landmark series, narrated by Charles Attenbourough, that transports nature lovers from the Himalayan Mountains to the depths of the ocean. And, when you’re done, you can relax and flip through “Earth: A Photographic Journey,” featuring spectacular photographs of historical monuments, unique architecture, stunning natural landscapes and fascinating cultures.
CREW Trust Premier Family Membership Package
Donated by the CREW Land & Water Trust
Show your support for the environment with a CREW Trust membership! This Southern Bald Eagle level membership ($1000 value) includes CREW Trust swag, invitations to our members-only events and a private guided hike at a CREW location of your choice for up to 8 people.
My Favorite Path
Sunlight on Spanish Moss
Take Off and Tricolored Heron
Donated by M E Parker
Bid on one of these three lots by local photographer M E Parker. Known for her nature photography, M E Parker’s prints are a yearly auction favorite.
Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack
Donated by Laurel Smith
This pack is a favorite of hikers and outdoor-minded travelers and comes with a CREW Trust Water Bottle! This versatile pack can be used as a hiking pack, disc golf bag, messenger bag, office briefcase, carry-on travel solution, diaper bag and so much more.
Duncraft Bird Feeder and Seed Set
Donated by Mike and Anne Reed
Squirrels beware! This woodpecker-friendly bird feeder from Duncraft is squirrel-proof. When a squirrel jumps on, the outer mesh cage drops down and covers the feeding ports. This best-selling feeder comes with shelled peanuts bird, a package of nut and nugget feast to attract nuthatches and woodpeckers and a $100 gift card for refills.