Conservancy of Southwest Florida: Your Visit Makes A Difference

There’s something for everyone at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, particularly for area residents and visitors concerned about preserving the environment that makes the area a special place to live and visit. Admission fees include full access to the Dalton Discovery Center, a 45 minute electric boat tour of the Gordon River, live programs, hands-on interactive exhibits, children’s programs, and more. Your visit supports the Conservancy’s work to protect our natural environment now and for future generations.

The 21-acre Nature Center, also Site #69 on the Great Florida Birding Trail, is the gateway to the Conservancy’s mission. Learn the importance of the area’s natural resources, understand the role the Conservancy plays and get inspired to take action. Guests of all ages are invited to discover hands-on, educational and fun exhibits designed to inspire and promote a love of nature. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits in the Sapakie Wildlife Exhibit Hall, meet animal ambassadors in the viewing pavilion and learn more about how to prevent injury to wildlife. Daily programs include Be a Biologist, Scales and Tails, Ocean Discoveries and more!

NEW THIS SEASON
– New live programs – Be a Biologist will focus on a variety of research projects from the science and research team including sea turtles, mangroves, pythons and more.
– Little Explorers, for ages 5 and younger, has been so popular it is moving to once a week – every Thursday at 10 a.m.
– The Touch Tank in the Dalton Discovery Center is full of new critters to meet.

OFF-SITE ADVENTURES
– Located off campus, guests can schedule an eco-tour along beautiful Rookery Bay, which was preserved after a group of citizens formed The Conservancy in 1964. Daily mid-morning and sunset cruises aboard an electric pontoon boat are led by Coast Guard certified captains and a Conservancy naturalist.
– Free nature walks at the Rookery Bay Briggs Boardwalk travel through seven Florida habitats. Naples Clam Pass guided walks and Sunday birding begins again in December.

In a year, the Conservancy educates 10,000 children, admits 3,700 wildlife patients to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, protects 590 sea turtles’ nests, captures 2,000 pounds of invasive pythons threatening native wildlife and helps to preserve thousands of wetland acres. The Conservancy’s mission focuses on critical environmental issues impacting Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.

Strategies include science and research, policy and advocacy, wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. Support the Conservancy’s mission with admission prices and activity fees or join more than 7,000 supporting families with annual membership. Membership includes free admission to the Nature Center and other benefits, while supporting the Conservancy’s policy advocacy and staff biologists. For a complete schedule of activities and pricing through the season, visit conservancy.org.

This home we share is like no other place on Earth. Together, we can protect Southwest Florida’s natural assets for future generations to enjoy.

For more information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, please visit Conservancy.org or stop by the Conservancy Nature Center, 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples