As part of its sponsorship of the CROW Speaker Series, Bank of the Islands’ leadership encourages islander attendance at Mike Kirkland’s presentation on invasive Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades. Kirkland is the Lead Invasive Animal Biologist for the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Manager of its Python Elimination Program. His talk is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14 at 4pm at the CROW Visitor Education Center at 3883 San-Cap Road on Sanibel.
“My wife Robbie and I are avid python hunters,” said Bank CEO Geoff Roepstorff. “We know firsthand that these apex predators pose an existential threat to native species and the fragile balance of Florida’s ecosystems. We are pleased to have someone with Mike Kirkland’s background come talk to our area about the python situation in our state.”
The South Florida Water Management (SFWMD) is the lead organization in the removal of invasive exotic pythons from Florida lands. Under Mike Kirkland’s leadership, approximately 10,000 pythons, several nests and thousands of python eggs have been removed from the Florida Everglades. To learn more, visit www.SFWMD.gov.
As the oldest locally owned and managed community bank in Lee County, Bank of the Islands is proud to be the winner of more than 50 “Best of the Islands” awards including “Best Island Bank” numerous times. The Bank has retained a 5-Star Superior Rating from BauerFinancial for more than a decade. As ranked by Bank Performance Report, the Bank continues to be ranked in the top 10 among all banks chartered in the State of Florida. Bank of the Islands is located at 1699 Periwinkle Way, at the corner of Casa Ybel Road, on Sanibel. The Captiva office is at 14812 Captiva Drive, next to the Captiva Post Office. To learn more, visit www.bankoftheislands.com.
To learn more about CROW, including how to attend this event and ways to volunteer and support their mission, visit www.crowclinic.org.
