The Conservancy of Southwest Florida announced new details and conceptual designs for the guest amenities that will define the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, along with plans to offer free off-site programming during construction.
The John & Carol Walter Nature Experience will become the Conservancy’s new public-facing front door, designed to immerse visitors in the science, solutions, and stories behind protecting water, land, and wildlife—and how those efforts sustain Southwest Florida’s quality of life. Site plans released at the Conservancy’s 62nd Annual Member Meeting highlight a reimagined visitor experience inspired by the Western Everglades, beginning with a half-acre stormwater lake that introduces guests to nature-based solutions, followed by a new 7,000-square-foot welcome center with dynamic and interactive exhibits. Additional features include an expanded outdoor deck to accommodate our growing visitation and traveling nature-themed exhibits, a covered amphitheater for additional programming, enhanced capacity for additional electric-boat rides, a new upland preserve trail, shaded picnic areas with space for a food truck, and a two-story garage with solar panels.
Design updates for the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience include a new logo that will mark the start of the public journey on campus. While the new logo distinguishes the public experience on site, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida remains the umbrella organization for all programs, including the wildlife hospital and administrative operations that will continue on campus.
To accommodate construction, the current Nature Center will be closed to the public from May 1 through December 2026. Rather than limiting public access, the closure provides an opportunity for the Conservancy to take its education and outreach beyond campus walls. During this period, the organization will expand free programs in partnership with area libraries, parks, and other community venues, ensuring continued access to environmental education across the region. The Conservancy is also developing new outreach opportunities and exclusive member experiences during the closure.
The von Arx Wildlife Hospital will remain open and fully operational throughout construction, and new Conservancy memberships and renewals have been extended to 18 months to account for the temporary closure of the Nature Center.
The John & Carol Walter Nature Experience groundbreaking is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. during the Conservancy’s award-winning Earth Day Festival. The public is invited to take part in this historic moment for the Conservancy.
Construction updates, program schedules, and locations for free community events will be shared through the Conservancy’s website, social media channels, and newsletters. Go to conservancy.org/natureexperience for all the latest updates on the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience and follow the Conservancy’s mascot, Gordon B. Eagle, as he shares updates with the public leading up to the Nature Experience’s opening in early 2028.
About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit environmental organization that has protected water, land, and wildlife in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties for more than 60 years. Through environmental science, policy, education, and wildlife rehabilitation, the Conservancy safeguards Southwest Florida’s natural resources for future generations.
Headquartered in Naples, Florida, the Conservancy is home to Collier County’s only native wildlife hospital and its vibrant Nature Center. Currently open to visitors, the Nature Center is undergoing a major transformation into a new, impactful community offering—the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, set to open in early 2028. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a gateway to conservation, offering immersive exhibits, hands-on learning, and expanded programs to inspire environmental stewardship and enhance the region’s quality of life.
Learn more and support Southwest Florida’s environmental future at conservancy.org.
Media Inquiries
Reneé Stoll, Conservancy of Southwest Florida Director of Communications and Marketing, (239) 430-2460, renees@conservancy.org