The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary celebrated its 2^nd Annual Flora & Fauna Spring Luncheon at The Colony Hotel on Palm Beach Island on Thursday, March 26.
 
Over 130 guests gathered to enjoy this sold-out event, featuring animal encounters, a three-course gourmet lunch, an insightful discussion panel with keynote speaker and founder of Aristeia Travel, Lord Edward Downpatrick, a live auction, and more, with proceeds benefiting Busch Wildlife Sanctuary’s two-fold mission of wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education.
 
The luncheon, chaired by David W. Busch and Farley M. Rentschler, began with refreshments in the East Garden where guests got up close with a few of the organization’s animal ambassadors – including Mo, a barred owl who was hit by a car and suffered severe head trauma that required the removal of one of his eyes; and Rhianna, a Virginia opossum who was attacked by a domestic cat and lost a majority of her prehensile tail.
 
Following a gourmet lunch in the Coral Ballroom, WPTV anchor Ashley Glass welcomed the keynote speaker and member of the extended British royal family, Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick. Lord Downpatrick shared his passion for traveling to some of the world’s most remote natural environments and how those experiences shape a deeper understanding of conservation. Through his business, Aristeia Travel, he curates immersive expeditions grounded in the belief that meaningful encounters with nature inspire a stronger sense of responsibility to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems around the world. The conversation highlighted the important connection between global conservation efforts and the protection of wildlife here in Florida, and how organizations like Busch Wildlife Sanctuary demonstrate how caring for local wildlife contributes to a broader global movement to safeguard biodiversity for generations to come.
 
The event ended with a live auction featuring enticing items such as a wine lovers’ getaway to the stunning seaside city of Porto in northern Portugal; rustic escape in the Blue Ridge Mountains to Eagle’s Nest, North Carolina; and a luxury stay at the iconic Villa Bibbiani in Tuscany, Italy, for up to 18 guests.
 
“We’re incredibly grateful for the continued outpouring of support from the Palm Beach community as we celebrate this second annual event,” said Amy Kight, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary’s Chief Executive Officer. “Busch Wildlife Sanctuary has been a staple in the area for over 40 years, and as Palm Beach County continues to grow, we remain committed to educating both newcomers and longtime residents about our mission and the extraordinary wildlife we share our environment with.”
 
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary will host the 2027 Flora & Fauna Spring Luncheon on Thursday, March 18, at The Colony Hotel