Conservancy of Southwest Florida

What matters most is the faith the community has in the Conservancy to use those dollars to support and protect our quality of life future for generations.”

To support the core programs and mission of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, endowments for policy, education, science and research ensure support for ongoing and future programs and resources.

“Funding to support ongoing programs and the people who drive the work advances a higher quality of life for the region and is critical to the Conservancy mission,” adds von Arx. “It allows the Conservancy to recruit the brightest people to protect our future – enabling these talented individuals to influence policies, shape legislation, negotiate for smart development, preserve our water and remain on the cutting edge of science, research, education and wildlife rehabilitation.”

Endowment funding includes:

• A new strategic partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University to focus on enhanced environmental education.
• Support for sea turtle research, monitoring and protection.
• Resources for wildlife rehabilitation training and veterinary services.
• Funds for policy and advocacy efforts for ongoing and future work.
• Support for research projects such as Evergladesrestoration and water quality research.

“As we celebrate today’s accomplishments, we are reminded that our work continues,” says Tyler. “The generous gifts from our donors, members, staff, volunteers and the community have better prepared us to take on the challenges of the future. On behalf of my Campaign co-chairs Jane Pearsall and Nick Penniman, we are grateful for your ongoing support to protect Southwest Florida today and into the future.”

To conclude the celebration, the Conservancy retired the “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign logo and revealed its new logo, symbolizing the new horizons for the Conservancy.

“The eagle has been part of our history at the Conservancy and remains the main feature of the new logo,” says Rob Moher, Conservancy vice president of development and marketing. “Its keen eyesight keeps track of our environment and it is not afraid to stand up for what is right. Once on the endangered species list, it represents hope for all native wildlife.” Moher continued, “The water and land features of the logo reinforce our mission. And lastly, yellow was added as a new color to signify the dawning of a new age and a bright future for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to protect the region’s quality of life.”

Conservancy of Southwest Florida Announces Special May Hours of Operation and Renovation Status for the Nature Center

NAPLES, Fla. (May 4, 2011) –The Conservancy of Southwest Florida announced several changes to its Nature Center hours of operation, admission prices and open/close dates.

• May 10, 2011 Closed until 12 PM
• May 2011 Boat Rides 12 PM Monday – Friday 11 AM & 12 PM Saturday
• May Admission Prices Adults $5 until 12 PM, FREE for Adults after 12 PM, FREE all day for Children (under 12) and Conservancy Members
• June 1, 2011 Conservancy Nature Center CLOSED for major renovations with an anticipated Phase 1 Sneak Preview beginning November 1, 2011. Subject to change.

The Conservancy Wildlife Clinic and Administrative Offices remain open as usual.

Members, residents and visitors are encouraged to visit www.conservancy.org for the latest status of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center renovations, other important environmental news impacting the region and for membership and donation information.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Sustainable Campus Initiative:

• The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has begun a new sustainable campus initiative launched in April 2009 as part of its “Saving Southwest Florida Capital Campaign.” The 21-acre Conservancy Nature Center is being transformed into a model for sustainable design and environmental responsibility, with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for both buildings and the Nature Center. Once completed, the new Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center will include two new buildings and three major rehabilitation project.
• A new Wildlife Clinic with more space, improved treatment areas and modern equipment
• Totally remodeled Discovery Center with new and exciting environmental exhibits
• A new Environmental Planning Center with updated research laboratories
• Conservation Hall and theater will be created from the existing auditorium space and will be used for increased environmental education programming, meetings and events
• Interactive Learning Lab for hands-on learning about environmental topics and sustainability
• Two constructed wetlands areas serving as natural filter marshes to cleanse storm water before being released into the Gordon River and Naples Bay
• New trails, gardens and walkways with native landscaping
• New environmental education and programming

The project also includes a new entrance to the Conservancy Nature Center, Smith Preserve Way, from Goodlette-Frank Road that will bring the vision of a “Naples Central Park” closer to reality. The new entrance will potentially provide access to the Gordon River Greenway Park and the Naples Zoo.

Green building practices, sustainability features and best management practices are being incorporated into all aspects of the construction and building designs. Key features include:All new buildings will be built to rigorous LEED standards.

LEED standards will be applied across the overall for Nature Center.

Water conservation will be emphasized and best management practices for stormwater management applied. Storm water will be captured for re-use or filtered before naturally flowing into the Gordon River.

Energy efficiency will be incorporated at every opportunity with a multi-year goal to achieve “net zero” energy cost.

The project is being funded through the ongoing multi-million dollar capital campaign. Campus construction will be phased over several years to minimize the impact on Conservancy guests and staff. Completion is expected sometime in the first quarter of 2012.

The construction project team members bring a variety of backgrounds and specialization in sustainable design, advanced building construction and applied technology to the project. All contractors working on the project have achieved or are pursuing personal LEED accreditation. The construction partners all have adapted their own business philosophies and practices to meet the demands of the project. They also have committed to using their experience with sustainability practices on the Conservancy campus to extend that concept into future projects for other Southwest Florida clients. Team members include:

• Curtis Cafiso, Conservancy of Southwest Florida (Project Executive) Keith Predmore, Keith Predmore & Associates (Owner’s Representative)
• Casey Neurock, Neugreen LLC (LEED Consultant)
• Fernando Zabala, Brian Leaders, the late Larry Warner, Larry Warner Architects (Initial Master Planning and Building Design)
• Fernando Zabala and Brian Leaders, L-Architecture (Master Planning and Building Design)
• Alex Lopez, JALRW Engineering Group (MEP Engineers)
• Derry Berrigan, DBLD Sustainable Lighting Design (LED Lighting)
• Peter Kuttner, Cambridge 7 Associates (Discovery Center Exhibit Design and Campus Interpretive Design)
• Walter Crawford, Heatherwood Construction (Construction Managers)
• Frank Feeney, Hole Montes (Civil Engineer)

More information about the “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign is available at www.conservancy.org/campaign.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida:

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida began in 1964 when community leaders came together to defeat a proposed “Road to Nowhere” and spearheaded the acquisition and protection of Rookery Bay.

The Conservancy is a not-for-profit grassroots organization focused on the critical environmental issues of the Southwest Florida region — water, land and wildlife. This is accomplished through the combined efforts of environmental education, science and research, policy and advocacy and wildlife rehabilitation. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic treats more than 2,400 injured, sick and orphaned animals each year and releases about half back into their native habitats.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Nature Center is located in Naples, Florida at 1450 Merrihue Drive, off Goodlette-Frank Road at 14th Avenue North. For information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, call 239-262-0304 or www.conservancy.org.