Stars Turn Out for the River of Grass

Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown

Paul Tudor Jones II and Katie Couric
The evening featured a performance by the Zac Brown Band along with Jimmy Buffett. Actor Michael Keaton, who served as honorary chairman, was presented the Everglades Advocacy Award by journalist and best-selling author Carl Hiaasen.
During the program, Everglades Foundation Chairman Paul Tudor Jones II urged the more than 800 guests to continue their support of the Everglades, a unique ecosystem that provides drinking water to more than 7 million Florida residents.

Carl and Fenia Hiaasen
The benefit featured a silent auction with bids entered via e-mail for adventure trips to Africa, Argentina, Costa Rica and Islamorada as well as a swamp buggy ride into the heart of the Everglades.
After dinner, Hiaasen, an Everglades advocate, presented an engraved Tibor Everglades Reel to Keaton for his conservation efforts.
As Grammy-winning Zac Brown Band took the stage, guests rushed forward. Midway through their set, the band was joined by Buffett, while the audience sang and danced to such tunes as “Where the Boat Leaves From,” “Volcano,” “A Pirate Looks at 40,” “Toes,” “Free/Into the Mystic” and “Margaritaville.”
Among those who attended were Reps. Patrick Murphy and Tom Rooney; State Sens. Joe Negron and Wilton Simpson; and State House Reps. Mark Pafford, Amanda Murphy and Jamie Grant.

Barbara and Jack Nicklaus
Co-chairs were Georgina Bloomberg, Mark Dalton, Jennifer and Joseph Duke, Mark Fisher, Tucker Frederickson, Regina and Mario Gabelli, Mercedes and Steve Gotwald, Judy and John Kellner, Judy and Jarrett Kling, Danielle and Kelly Moore, Thalia and Tommy Mottola, and Heather and Beau Wrigley.

Kevin and Minnie McCluskey, Bobby Leidy and Liza Calhoun

Michael Keaton
Its board supports all of the Foundation’s administrative and fundraising expenses, allowing 100% of the money raised at the benefit to directly support its programs.
For more information, visit www.evergladesfoundation.org.
Photos by Lucien Capehart Photography.