Coastal Breeze News

The Chinese New Year has just arrived and last year’s magnificent dragon has flown away to make room for this year’s snake!  This is a great time to visit the Dalton Discovery Center at Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center and learn all about snakes and the other creatures that call southwest Florida their home.  The Dalton Discovery Center is home to over 100 animals, including a live loggerhead sea turtle and a variety of snakes – an Eastern Indigo Snake, a Pine Snake and a Red Rat Snake. Plus, every day on the Lutgert Commons Deck, guests can participate ... Read More »

Conservancy of Southwest Florida is accepting applications from vendors and exhibitors to participate in the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Grand Reopening Weekend Festival April 20-21. In addition to experiencing the new Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center, the weekend festivities include special exhibits, educational programs and speakers, including renowned oceanographer and keynote speaker Dr. Sylvia Earle from National Geographic, music, games, arts and crafts, live entertainment and special activities for children and adults. The standard level vendor participation fee of $50 includes an 8 foot table, table linen and two chairs per day. For tent fees, a vendor agreement form and more information, visit http://www.conservancy.org/grandreopening. ... Read More »

Conservancy of Southwest Florida announces the opening of the new Susan and William Dalton Discovery Center. Located at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center in Naples, the Dalton Discovery Center showcases southwest Florida’s diverse ecosystems, the creatures that live within and an overview of the work conducted by Conservancy of Southwest Florida. A unique, state-of-the-art, interpretive and multi-sensory experience, the Dalton Discovery Center houses six immersive eco-system exhibits under one roof: Introduction Gallery, Uplands, Everglades, Mangroves, Sandy Beaches, and the Ocean gallery. Guests can enjoy more than 100 animals in life-like enclosures and aquaria to better understand the unique habitats of ... Read More »

Conservancy of Southwest Florida will host its annual FREE Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 21 at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center, located at 1450 Merrihue Dr. in Naples. The earth-friendly event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature special environmental exhibits, vendors, children’s carnival, face-painting, educational presentations, live entertainers and guest speakers. No on-site parking is available at the Conservancy, due to ongoing renovations. Free parking will be available at the Colonial Square complex, just south of the Post Office, within walking distance of the Conservancy Nature Center. Guests will be able to ... Read More »

“Magic Under the Mangroves” Committee “Plants” Seeds on the Christopher B. Smith Preserve at  Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center Members of the “Magic Under the Mangroves” committee met recently to continue planning for the March 8, 2012 fundraiser to support the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Since this year’s event is focused on celebrating our natural wild spaces, the committees “plants” the “Blazing Star” (liatrus) seed mix on the Christopher B. Smith Preserve at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The native Blazing Star’s pink-purple and white flowers are a veritable butterfly magnet, and when mixed with other seeds, provide a foraging feast ... Read More »

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is offering discounted admission to its Nature Center while it continues to undergo major sustainability renovations. Adult admission is only $5 and children 12 and under receive free admission. As always, Conservancy members receive free admission. “This season we’ve added additional educational programs at the Conservancy Nature Center to enhance the guest experience,” said Andrew McElwaine, Conservancy of Southwest Florida president. “We believe the reduced admission will encourage people to stop by to experience all we have to offer today and get a glimpse at the remarkable plans for the future.” McElwaine concluded, “One of ... Read More »