2026 Hobe Sound Nature Center Gala

Save the Date! - March 11, 2026 @ Jupiter Hills Club

Please join the Hobe Sound Nature Center on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026 at the Jupiter Hills Club for a  “STORY OF HOPE IN THE HIGH SEAS”, an inspiring evening featuring Holly Lohuis from the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area.

Guest Speaker: Holly Lohuis, “Story of Hope in the High Seas”

Marine Biologist/Marine Educator/Inspirational Speaker

Holly is a marine biologist and ocean explorer and has appeared in Jean-Michel Cousteau’s documentaries over the past two decades, including co star of the IMAX film, ‘Secret Ocean 3D’. She is a featured diver and on camera biologist for 11 hours of the PBS series, “Jean-Michel Cousteau Ocean Adventures.” Her degree is in aquatic biology from UC Santa Barbara and she is a PADI Dive Master and SCUBA Instructor. As a member of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s expedition team since 1996, Holly acts as a liaison between the team and scientists, confirming the factual accuracy of Ocean Futures Society’s documentaries and publications.

Holly has also been a marine educator for over 27 years. For ten years she worked as a naturalist with Island Packers, Channel Islands National Park boat concessionaire. She also worked with Passage Productions-Live Dive program on cruise ships in the Caribbean, Pacific, Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. For her educational outreach efforts Holly was honored with the Hall of Fame award from San Juan School district in her hometown Sacramento, California.

Corporate Sponsorship Levels

Interested is supporting the 2026 Hobe Sound Nature Center Gala as a corporate sponsor? Call us at 772-546-2067 or send email to info@hobesoundnaturecenter.org.

Blue Whale $20,000

  • VIP seating for 8 guests

  • recognition on social media and website

  • full page color ad in event program

Fin Whale $10,000

  • VIP seating for 6 guests

  • recognition on social media and website

  • full page color ad in event program

Right Whale $5,000

  • VIP seating for 4 guests

  • recognition on social media and website

  • 1/2 page color ad in event program

Gray Whale $2,500

  • VIP seating for 2 guests

  • recognition on social media and website

  • 1/2 page color ad in event program

Humpback Whale $1,500

  • VIP seating for 2 guests

  • recognition on social media and website

  • 1/2 page color ad in event program

Gala Committee

Nathan & Tibby Allen, Gala Co-Chairs

Our Passion

Our mission is to work hand in hand with the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife refuge to educate, inspire, and empower people of all ages to protect and conserve South Florida’s unique, critical habitats and wildlife.

Our Community

Our education programs are rooted in community, weaving together the diverse threads of local knowledge, shared values, and a collective passion to conserve South Florida’s extraordinary natural heritage.