FRONT PORCH

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s largest local private home builder, has sponsored a series of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s recent programs to assist with world-class research, conservation of the area’s natural resources and promotion of science education.

Neal Communities was a $1,500 sponsor of Mote Marine’s Farm to Fillet luncheon on Feb. 12 at Mote’s Aquaculture Park. Neal Communities also will be a $2,000 sponsor of Mote Marine’s Party on the Pass on March 11 in Mote Marine’s courtyard and a $1,000 sponsor of Mote Marine’s Seasonal Tasting event on April 12 at Nathan Benderson Park. In October of last year, Neal Communities was a $6,000 sponsor of Mote Marine’s signature gala, Oceanic Evening.

In total, Neal Communities has provided Mote Marine $9,000 since October to help support research programs that focus on the understanding of manatees, sea turtles, sharks and coral reefs and on conservation and restoration efforts of those species and their ecosystems.

“We care about protecting and preserving the natural resources both on land and in our oceans,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Mote Marine is doing wonderful work as it relates to research and helping us to understand our underwater sea life.”

Mote Marine Laboratory is one of the oldest marine research laboratories in the Sunshine State. The lab first opened in 1955. While the Lab’s beginning years primarily focused on sharks, Mote’s research has expanded to include other areas of research such as studies of human cancer using marine models, the effects of human-made and natural toxic substances on humans and on the environment, the health of wild fisheries, the development of sustainable and successful fish restocking techniques and food production technologies and the development of ocean technology to help better understand the health of the environment.

With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $7.75 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build. Over the years, Neal Communities has championed academic, athletic, cultural, environmental and philanthropic programs that support the arts, community, non-profit and educational organizations.

For more information about Mote Marine Laboratory, visit mote.org. For more information about Neal Communities’ community support, visit NealCommunities.com/where-you-live-matters.