HOT TOPIC
MARCH 19 @ 2:00-3:30
ZOOM
Bridget Washburn, Executive Director, and Brad Cornell, Policy Director, will make a presentation highlighting Audubon Western Everglades’ work and impact. Habitat and natural resource preservation especially appropriate land development, wetland preservation and biodiversity have been important cornerstones of their activities. Current projects include the new biodiversity initiative with a focus on restoring natural habitats with native plants, and protecting threatened species.
The presentation will reflect on where the organization has come after 65 years of conservation in the region and outline current priorities. During the discussion, Bridget and Brad will answer questions about Conservation Collier and the environmental impact of other developments. They will also share meaningful opportunities for engagement and advocacy with the League.
|  NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Florida House passed HB 991 the end of February, inching Florida closer to a reality in which eligible U.S. citizens get removed from the voter rolls purely due to red tape. The Senate version, SB 1334, has not yet been scheduled for a vote in front of the entire Florida Senate. An action alert will go out when SB1334 is scheduled for a Senate floor vote.
LWVCC’s Annual Meeting will be held on April 13th. All members will receive links to the Annual Meeting Packet which will include proposed slate of officers and a proposed change to the by-law for member vote and Board-approved Strategic Plan and Committee Programs
| TALLAHASSEE TALLY:
BILL STATUS UPDATE
As of February 24th at noon, the bills in the Florida Legislature we are tracking are still in process and deserve watching and/or calls to your local representatives. Click here for an updated bill list with status.
Please check out the bills at FLhouse.gov or FLsenate.gov. Just put the bill number at the top and you can see details about the bills and their status in this year’s legislative session.
SCHOOL VOUCHER BILL:
CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
The Florida school voucher system, with an annual cost of over $4 Billion, has experienced lapses in management practices that resulted in misspending of $47 Million this past year. SB318 proposed improvements to the voucher administration system and passed easily in the Senate. However, a corresponding house bill has not been proposed, nor brought to committee. Support from the house will be needed for the bill to become law.
Please read more about SB318 and call or email Speaker Daniel Perez, who can move the bill, or your representatives (Benarroch, Botana, and Melo) to urge support for a House version of this bill.
Yvette Benarroch (850) 717-5081) Yvette.Benarroch@flhouse.gov
Adam Botana (850) 717-5080 Adam.Botana@flhouse.gov
Lauren Melo (850) 717-5082 Lauren.Melo@flhouse.gov
Speaker Daniel Perez (850) 717-5000 daniel.perez@flhouse.gov
| ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Habitat Restoration & Artificial Reefs
March 12 @ 10:00-11:30
Collier Community Foundation & ZOOM
Logan Kennovin, Assistant Director of Habitat and Environmental Conservation with Coastal Conservation Association Florida (CCA) will give us an overview of CCA’s habitat restoration activities in Florida and explain its artificial reef project in detail. Locally, CCA has also been involved in planting mangroves at Delnor Wiggins state park, planting oyster beds in Naples Bay and seagrass projects. He welcomes questions about these projects as well.
The meeting will take place at 10am on March 12 at the Board Room of the Collier Community Foundation. A zoom link will be available from Lynn Martin. League members who wish to hear the speaker, but not attend the committee meeting, may disconnect at any time. | 
VOTER SERVICES "LUNCH AND LEARN"
March 12 @ 12:30-2:00
Altavilla Pizza & Trattoria
We would like to invite you to our next session to discuss and work on important initiatives such as redistricting, voter outreach, returning citizens and any LWVFL call to action and/or legislative updates. We will have a light lunch, registration is appreciated! Any questions please feel free to contact Tina Palmese or Laura Hansen Reynolds.
REGISTER
(login required)
VOTER SERVICES TRANSPARENCY TOUR
March 23 @ 2:00-3:30
Supervisor of Elections Office
Please join us for a full tour of the SOE Election Operation Center. Experience first hand the depth of the election process for both in-person Voting and Vote-By-Mail tabulation. See why Collier County has one of the top SOE operations in Florida! Registration is required, please see our Event Calendar to register. Any questions, please contact Tina Palmese or Laura Hansen Reynolds.
| HOT TOPIC
MARCH 26 @3:00-4:30
ZOOM
Eric Foht, Director of Natural Resources, Naples Botanical Garden, will speak about urban interface prescribed burns.
Fire is vital to Florida ecosystems and prescribed fire is a powerful land management tool that conserves plant diversity, prevents dangerous wildfires, and safeguards human lives. A prescribed fire or burn is a carefully planned and intentionally set fire used to manage land and ecosystems. It reduces the buildup of combustible vegetation, which can help prevent larger, uncontrolled wildfires and decrease risks to humans and human-dominated landscapes. A burn helps maintain the health of an ecosystem by promoting the growth of fire-adapted plants and recycling nutrients back into the soil.
|  MARCH 2026 BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION
March 16 @ 3:00-4:20
For those who enjoy a memoir that is inspirational and candid, that shows the importance of determination and family, and offers an intimate look into a woman’s personal and professional journey, then Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson is the perfect book for you. Jackson’s book was suggested by League members who read it, knowing that it would lead to a great discussion of this native Miamian, first Black woman appointed to the US Supreme Court. Monday, March 16, 3 p.m. is the date for getting together to chat about this book. As an FYI, and if you like the shorter young adult version, that just became available in January. Both versions are available at our new independent bookstore: Books on Third, 1300 Third Street South, Suite 201, Naples. www.booksonthird.com. The location of the discussion will be available after registering. There are a limited number of seats, so get your copy, sign-up on the website calendar and start reading! For more information e-mail Ida Margolis.
| 
TIME TO GET UNPLUGGED ABOUT CIVICS
In 2025, our Communications Director, Jen Lapham, began creating a series of bite-sized videos, called Civics Unplugged. The goal was to introduce Civics education to our members and share with others. Today we have an entire library introducing you to a broad range of information on the United States Government, the Constitution, Voter Rights and more. So now, I thought we might start at the beginning by highlighting our first few videos. Most videos are around a minute or less in length. Take a few moments to refresh yourself on Civics by watching Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, Oath of Office and Executive Orders. You will be impressed and want more.
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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March 9 @ 11:30-1:30
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Luncheon & General Meeting |
| March 12 @ 12:30-2:00 |
Voter Services Lunch & Learn |
| March 16 @ 3:00-4:30 |
Book Group Discussion
Lovely One |
| March 19 @ 2:00-3:00 |
Hot Topic:
Environmental Conservation and Biodiversity |
| March 23 @ 2:00-3:30 |
SoE Transparency Tour |
| March 26 @ 3:00-4:30 |
Hot Topic:
Prescribed Burns |
| April 13 @ 10:00-11:30 |
Annual Meeting |
| April 18 @ 10:00-3:00 |
Earth Day |
Visit the LWVCC Calendar for event details
| UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Check our Event Calendar for meeting locations and more information. LWVCC committee meetings are for members and their invited guests unless stated otherwise, members should log in to the website to register to get the Zoom links for committee meetings and other events. | Plastics Task Force Meeting
March 5 @ 3:30-5:00
Zoom
| Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
March 12 @ 10:00-11:30
Collier Community Foundation
Logan Kennovin, Assistant Director of Habitat and Environmental Conservation with Coastal Conservation Association Florida (CCA) will give us an overview of CCA’s habitat restoration activities in Florida and explain the artificial reef project in detail.
| Gun Violence Prevention Subcommittee Meeting
March 18 @10:00-11:00
ZOOM
Kathryn Fleisher will discuss evidence-based solutions to suicide prevention. In particular she will discuss Florida’s Extreme Risk Laws. | Board Meeting
April 1 @ 9:30-12:00
Moorings Park Board Room | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in Government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. Our goal is to empower citizens to take an active role in shaping better communities worldwide. The League of Women Voters of Collier County does not support or endorse any candidate or political party.
| League of Women Voters of Collier County
P.O. Box 9883Naples, FL 34101
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