Everglades Wonder Gardens announces new board chair and officers

The Everglades Wonder Gardens Board of Directors has announced its new officers.

Donna Flammang is chair, Debi Braendle is vice chair, Beth Hagan is treasurer and Thomas Small is secretary. Immediate past chair is Westley Weidenmiller.

The board of directors is comprised of local community members who provide stewardship for the nonprofit organization. Additional board members include Russell Anderson, Linda Gutshall, Damien Lin, Jacke McCurdy, Connie McIntosh, Marjorie Rubacky, Sabra Smith, Connie Vestal and William Douglas.

“Our new officers, along with all of the board members, demonstrate a steadfast dedication to the Everglades Wonder Gardens,” said Thomas Hecker, president and CEO of the Everglades Wonder Gardens. “We’re grateful for their leadership and support, which contribute greatly to the continued success of our beloved Wonder Gardens.”

“It’s an immense privilege to serve as board chair for the Everglades Wonder Gardens, which is such a treasured asset for Bonita Springs” said Everglades Wonder Gardens Chair Donna Flammang. “I look forward to working with the board and staff toward another strong and successful year for the Wonder Gardens.”

An 83-year-old cultural icon and designated historic resource of the City of Bonita Springs, the Everglades Wonder Gardens is a community centerpiece that has provided generations of Floridians and visitors the opportunity to experience rare and exotic plants and wildlife.

The environmental, educational, historical and recreational attraction is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Throughout 3.5 acres of botanical gardens, there are thousands of unusual trees and plants and hundreds of rescued birds and reptiles for visitors to enjoy.

In 2014, Bonita Wonder Gardens, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed to purchase and operate the Everglades Wonder Gardens. While preserving the iconic attraction, the nonprofit organization continues to restore wildlife enclosures, nurture the botanical beauty of the property, add education programs and further enhance this Bonita Springs jewel.

For more information, visit www.evergladeswondergardens.com.