New details about the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience and free public programming during closure to be shared at meeting
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida will hold its Annual Member Meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Eaton Conservation Hall on the Conservancy campus at 1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples. The meeting will feature new updates and first-look information on the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience.
During the meeting, Conservancy President & CEO Rob Moher will share new information and conceptual renderings highlighting changes to the campus with the transformation into the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, along with details on free monthly public programming that will be offered to the community during the Nature Center’s expected closure from May through November 2026.
The meeting will also include an update on the Picayune Strand Restoration Project, highlighting the Conservancy’s decades-long role in advancing one of the largest wetland restoration efforts in Florida. Additional agenda items include program updates and the election of new and returning board members. The Conservancy would also like to thank Stefan Bothe, Barry Frank, and Nick Penniman for their years of dedicated service on the Board.
Live Broadcast and Recording Availability
To ensure broad access, the Annual Member Meeting will be streamed live on the Conservancy’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ConservancySWF beginning at the scheduled start time. A recording of the meeting will be posted on the Conservancy’s Facebook page following the event for those unable to attend in person or view the livestream.
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 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 www.conservancy.org.