FPN FERN Member Network Meeting- Creation of the Florida Coral Rescue Center

Join FPN's Florida Environmental Resiliency Network meeting where we will be joined by special guests from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida to inform us about the creation of their Coral Rescue Center.

The Florida Coral Rescue Center was created in response to one of the greatest threats ever faced by Florida’s Coral Reef: Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. This presentation will explore how government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private industry, and philanthropic partners came together to rescue, preserve, and restore Florida’s imperiled coral species. Participants will learn how the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida helped mobilize private funding and partnerships to support this urgent conservation effort while leveraging public resources and scientific expertise. The session will highlight lessons learned from building and sustaining a complex cross-sector partnership, the role of philanthropy in advancing conservation outcomes, and opportunities for future investment in Florida’s natural resources. Attendees will gain insight into how collaborative approaches can accelerate impact and address challenges that no single organization can solve alone.

Participants will:

• Understand how philanthropy can serve as a catalyst for large-scale conservation initiatives through strategic public-private partnerships. 
• Learn how the Florida Carol Rescue Center was developed and sustained through collaboration among government, non-profit, and private-sector partners. 
• Identify key lessons for leveraging philanthropic investments to address complex environmental challenges and create long-term impact. 

Featured Speakers

Dani Richter 

Dani Richter is the Director of Philanthropy for the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, where she connects donors and partners with high-impact conservation opportunities across the state. A Florida native, Dani grew up fishing in Tampa Bay and developed an early appreciation for Florida’s natural resources. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Marine Science from the University of Florida and has worked in nonprofit fundraising since 2014, supporting organizations focused on animal welfare, higher education, and conservation. In her current role, she leads fundraising efforts that advance wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, outdoor recreation, and youth outdoor education throughout Florida.

Melodie Griffin

Melodie Griffin serves as Director of Grants for the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, where she manages grantmaking programs and strategic partnerships that support conservation initiatives across the state. She brings extensive experience in philanthropy, grant administration, and nonprofit management, with a focus on building collaborative solutions to complex challenges. Melodie holds a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from Auburn University. She is passionate about connecting resources with impactful conservation projects that benefit Florida’s fish, wildlife, and habitats.

Registration

Member - Complimentary