Marco Eagle Sanctuary Foundation Mission Statement
The Marco Eagle Sanctuary Foundation (MESF) is a not-for-profit 501 (C) (3) organization founded in 2010. Our primary objective is the protection and preservation of the last natural habitats on Marco Island, Florida suitable for the American Bald Eagle nesting areas. Our Mission is to work with the citizens of Marco Island as well as, City, County, and State organizations to guarantee the safety of the active Bald Eagles and other bird species on the Marco Island Nature Preserve on Tigertail Ct.
Marco Eagle Sanctuary Foundation Story
The Marco Eagle Sanctuary Foundation (MESF) began in 2010 as a small group of Marco Island, FL citizens concerned about how the city and some developers looked at the importance of the natural habitat suitable for nesting Eagles as well as many other species now nesting on an 11.9 acre piece of property located at 665 Tigertail Ct, Marco Island Fl. Any major development of this property would have ended a long-time nesting location for our bird population and the home to other wildlife. Since our involvement our message has always been, and will continue to be, to protect the natural habitat. The Collier County School District (owners of the property) at the time had a positive dialog with us and the community about the importance of this valuable natural habitat, and this resulted in MESF signing a lease purchase agreement for the property until 2015 and beyond. In 2021 MESF activated the purchase option and became the new owners of the land parcel. This step ensured the protection of the Marco Island Nature Preserve and all the bird and wildlife on the property. Our job is to be sure that all community organizations and citizens have the same goal: to keep one of the last green spaces left on the Island free from over development and protect the Island’s heritage as an Eagle Sanctuary. We hope to continue our goal for generations, with emphasis on educational projects on the importance of the preservation of undeveloped land parcels and the wildlife that live there.