A New Nature Experience The Reopened Conservancy Celebrates Sustainability


by Lee Walker W


ith the $20 million in sustain-


able renovations at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida now completed, some good things have come to their natural end. The culmination of the project, which includes a new en- trance, an additional four acres of nature preserves, new filter


The Shotwell Wavering Family Filter Marsh has become a new respite for many visiting wading birds.


marshes, three new buildings and three renovated buildings, will be celebrated at a Grand Reopening Weekend Fes- tival, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 20 and 21. “The original Naples Nature Center


was built in 1981, and the old-style, energy-inefficient labs, buildings, class- rooms, auditorium and wildlife clinic were in dire need of an extreme make- over,” explains Conservancy President Andrew McElwaine. “The new Center is designed to teach people about the natural treasures of the region and the work the Conservancy conducts to pro- tect our water, land and wildlife, and to inspire people to take action to preserve our quality of life.” McElwaine notes that sustainable efforts—from land and water conserva- tion to energy sources, which include geothermal energy for cooling, as well as green buildings designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards—are helping the Conser- vancy conserve energy and resources while better providing for the needs of a growing community.


The New 21-Acre Nature Experience The Center’s nature experience begins at Smith Preserve Way, the newly reno-


vated entrance just south of the Naples Zoo on Goodlette Road. Here, visitors receive their first glimpse of native species, including endangered gopher tortoises that meander through the Christo- pher B. Smith upland preserve. The Dalton


Discovery Center fea- tures several South-


west Florida ecosystems with interac- tive exhibits, a near-shore touch tank exploration and a live loggerhead sea turtle in a 5,000-gallon patch reef tank. Throughout the day, guests can ob-


serve baby animals in the nursery and learn about animal care at The von Arx Wildlife Hospital, which treats more than 2,200 injured, sick and orphaned native animals each year. The Shorebird Pool, home to wading birds in their last stages of recovery, is also viewable to the public.


Eaton Conservation Hall and the


Jeannie Meg Smith Theater offer a state-of-the-art multimedia experience with presentations, daily programs and featured speakers. The Ferguson Learn- ing Lab is home to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida STEM Institute, where hands-on environmental stud- ies incorporate the latest in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. At the Allyn Family Lagoon and


Dock, visitors can enjoy a leisurely electric boat cruise or rent a kayak for a closer look at nature in a mangrove- lined lagoon that leads to the Gordon River, perhaps spotting a manatee. From the gazebo, while viewing visiting wading birds and wildlife, guests can


natural awakenings April 2013 41


explore the secrets of how the Shotwell Wavering Family Filter Marsh cleans and purifies water. The Conservancy also offers some short walking trails and is designated as site number 69 on the Grand Florida Birding Trail. Scheduled to open sometime in


2014, the Eva Sugden Gomez Environ- mental Planning Center will serve as the Conservancy’s new headquarters building. Shortly thereafter, the Eva Sugden Gomez Sustainability Plaza will become a new visitor experience, highlighting the sustainability features utilized throughout the Center and set- ting a new example for how building and renovation can work together with environmental protection.


Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon.- Sat. Admission: adults, $12.95; children under 12, $8.95. Grand Reopening admission: adults, $10; children (3 to 12 years), $5; members, free. For more information about the Conservancy or the Grand Reopening Weekend Festival, visit Conservancy.org. See ad, page 15.


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