Conservancy of Southwest Florida facts for kids

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a special place in Naples, Florida. It's a big nature center on 21 acres.

It started in 1964. Some people in Naples stopped a road from being built through Rookery Bay. Since then, the Conservancy has worked to protect Southwest Florida's water, land, and animals. They do this through science, education, and helping injured wildlife.

The Conservancy helps five counties in Southwest Florida: Collier, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry, and Glades.

What is the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center?

The Nature Center was first built in 1981. In 2013, it got a big upgrade to be more "sustainable." This means it was rebuilt to be good for the environment.

The upgrades included new buildings and more nature areas. All new buildings were made with the environment in mind. They followed special rules called LEED Standards. They even use geothermal energy for cooling. This means they use the earth's temperature to keep buildings cool.

The new Nature Center has many cool spots. There's the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, where sick animals get help. The Eaton Conservation Hall has the Jeannie Meg Smith Theater. You can also explore the Dalton Discovery Center. It has a huge 5,000-gallon aquarium and a touch-tank.

The Ferguson Learning Lab has a Hall of Invasive Species. This shows animals and plants that don't belong in Florida. They can harm the local environment. The labs are used for STEM learning. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. It helps teach future environmental leaders. In 2014, the Little Explorer Play Zone opened for kids aged 5 and younger.

The Bradley Nature Store and Welcome Center sells nature-inspired books. You can find many things about Southwest Florida's water, land, and wildlife here.

You can also explore filter marshes and nature preserves. There are short walking trails and kayak rentals. The Allyn Family Dock and Lagoon has electric tour boats. These boats take you on the Gordon River.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center is also a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. This is a special path for people who love watching birds.

How Did the Conservancy Start?

On April 11, 1964, a group of people met. They wanted to stop a "Road to Nowhere." This road was planned to go through Rookery Bay. Rookery Bay is a beautiful area with lots of tropical land and water. Many unique Southwest Florida animals live there.

By the next year, local people raised over $300,000. This money helped save Rookery Bay as a nature sanctuary. That's how the Collier County Conservancy was formed.

Since then, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has grown. It started by protecting land. Now, it also includes science, research, education, and wildlife rehabilitation.

Helping Wild Animals

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida helps protect wild animals. Many animals get hurt by humans, often by accident. New homes and businesses can take away animal homes. They can also pollute water and local ecosystems.

Fishing hooks and lines can trap pelicans. Unsecured garbage can be dangerous for hungry animals. These include scavengers like raccoons and possums.

In 2013, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital officially opened. This hospital cares for injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife. It also works to protect about 100 threatened or endangered species in Southwest Florida. Over 3,300 animals are treated at the hospital every year. About half of them are released back into nature after they get better.

The hospital is 5,000 square feet. It saves energy and has separate areas for mammals, reptiles, and birds. There's even a special unit for baby animals. It has incubators to keep newborns safe and warm.

Protecting Nature with Science and Policy

Conservancy scientists watch and study the environment. They collect important information about the region's water, land, and wildlife.

The environmental policy team uses this science information. They work to protect local ecosystems. Team members encourage lawmakers to make smart decisions. These decisions help protect our land, water, and wildlife. They focus on the five counties the Conservancy helps.

The policy team makes sure each county grows in a planned way. They follow special maps and plans. These are called the Growth Management Plan and Future Land Use Map.

The team also talks to community members and leaders. They discuss any planned changes. This helps make sure Southwest Florida's natural beauty is protected forever. They try to balance growth with protecting nature.

Learning About the Environment

A big part of the Conservancy's work is teaching people. They teach about the natural world around us. They also show how to lessen our impact on the environment. And they teach how to protect local waters and native animals.

The Conservancy offers many ways to learn. You can learn from naturalists, environmental speakers, and boat captains. Knowledgeable guides in the Dalton Discovery Center also teach visitors.

The Ferguson Learning Lab and Nature Center are great places for kids to learn. They can learn about the environment both indoors and outdoors.

Summer camp is also available for children. School groups are welcome for guided field trips.

The Conservancy education team also visits schools. They reach thousands of students each year.