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Plan Your Visit
Since the successful completion of the "Saving Southwest Florida" Campaign, we have been busy enhancing our policy, science, education and wildlife work, building our endowment, and investing $20 million of the Campaign funds to create a sustainable Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center. You'll notice the upgrades the moment you arrive on Smith Preserve Way, the new Conservancy Nature Center entrance from Goodlette-Frank Road, just south of the Naples Zoo. (If it's more convenient for you to use the 1450 Merrihue Drive entrance, it is located off 14th Avenue North at Goodlette-Frank Road.) Fun nature adventures for the entire family.
Located at 1450 Merrihue Drive, off 14th Avenue North at Goodlette Frank Road. New Smith Preserve Way entrance is also open, just south of the Naples Zoo on Goodlette-Frank Road. Get detailed directions here.
Daily Programs
Self-guided tours of Nature Trails – Filter Marshes – Dalton Discovery Center. All activities are included in admission prices except for kayak rentals/tours.
Talented volunteers provide the majority of Conservancy Nature Center guest services, programs and activities.
Daily Offerings Monday – Saturday
(subject to change) |
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Electric Boat Cruises
(subject to tides, wind and weather) |
Hourly 10 AM – 12 PM
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Allyn Family Lagoon and Docks |
| Kayak Rentals |
9 AM – 1 PM |
Single and Tandem |
| Windfeldt Shorebird Pool Viewing |
9:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
Shorebird Pool behind von Arx Wildlife Hospital |
"Conservancy Story" Short Film
(ongoing except for special features below) |
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Eaton Conservation Hall/Jeannie Meg Smith Theater |
Wildlife Nursery Window Viewing
(observe through one-way glass) |
10:30AM – 1:00 PM |
von Arx Wildlife Hospital |
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| Hourly Programs (subject to change – beginning June 1) |
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11:00 AM |
Reptile Reverie Program – Dalton Discovery Center |
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1:00 PM |
Sea Turtle Program – Dalton Discovery Center |
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3:00 PM |
A Wild Life – Shorebird Pool behind von Arx Wildlife Hospital |
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1:30 PM |
Special Eco-Movie – Eaton Conservation Hall/Jeannie Meg Smith Theater |
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2:30 PM |
Family-Friendl Eco-Movie – Eaton Conservation Hall/Jeannie Meg Smith Theater |
Electric Boat Cruises
All aboard from the Allyn Family Dock! Sit back and enjoy all nature has to offer on this relaxing boat cruise up the Gordon River from the mangrove-lined Allyn Family Lagoon. Trained volunteer boat captains help you spot some of our native plants and wildlife – and you may even spot a manatee or two.
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PLEASE NOTE: Passenger capacity is limited. Due to insurance purposes, children must be older than two years of age. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Subject to weather, wind and tides. Scheduled field trip participants receive first boarding priority.
Advance boat ride reservations available to Conservancy Club members at $250 level and above. 239.403.4207.
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Kayak Rentals
Paddle through the Allyn Family Lagoon up to the Gordon River to enjoy nature at its best. Find the natural treasures hidden among the mangroves on this peaceful, two hour flat water excursion.
Single Rental: $30
Members: $20 |
Tandem Rental: $45
Members: $30 |
PLEASE NOTE: As a safety precaution, kayak rentals are only available to individuals who are 6 years or older.
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Guided Kayak Nature Tour
Your guide will lead this 90 minute guided kayak nature tour. Observe many remarkable species in their natural habitats. Common local wildlife sited includes shorebirds, birds of prey and manatee. Begins at 9:30 AM by advance reservation only. Schedule directly with Naples Kayak Company. 239.262.6149.
| Members: $40 |
Non-Members: $49 |
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Dalton Discovery Center
ECOSYSTEMS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. OVER 100 ANIMALS AND EXHIBITS. JUVENILE LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE.
The expanded interactive Dalton Discovery Center features the wondrous ecosystems of Southwest Florida with new exhibits - uplands, the Everglades, mangroves, beaches, and the ocean. Guests come face to face with new friends - live animals and marine life, plus a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle. Self-guided tours.
Sea turtle talk and feeding at 2 PM.
View a media tour of the Dalton Discovery Center here.
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von Arx Wildlife Hospital
IMMEDIATE CARE FOR SICK, INJURED AND ORPHANED NATIVE ANIMALS.
The von Arx Wildlife Hospital replaced the old and dilapidated Wildlife Clinic. This 5,000 square foot facility, powered by geothermal, solar and LED lighting and an energy management system, provides a sterile environment and separate recovery wings for various species to decrease stress on the animals. The new building, a full time veterinarian and operating room provide animals a better chance to be released back into the wild. View the recovering birds at the Shorebird Pool between 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The nursery is open for baby animals 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Learn more about wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release at the 3:00 PM “A Wild Life” program at the Shorebird Pool behind the Wildlife Hospital.
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Christopher B. Smith Preserve
This natural upland and scrub habitat, the Christopher B. Smith Preserve, is home to native plants and wildlife including the gopher tortoise, a threatened species in Florida. You may be able to spot a few from the gazebo on Smith Preserve Way. Conservancy Volunteer Susan Snyder developed an informative web-based field guide about the Smith Preserve. View it by clicking on the button below.
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Shotwell Wavering Family Filter Marsh
CLEAN WATER. WILDLIFE OASIS. OUTDOOR "CLASSROOM".
Once a drainage ditch for polluted stormwater runoff from Coastland Center Mall, the new Shotwell Wavering Family Filter Marsh now functions as a wetland and serves multiple purposes. The filter marsh cleans pollutants from the runoff, and serves as a home to visiting wading birds and to resident juvenile snook. Local school students transform into “scientists” for the “Watery Wonders” environmental education programs conducted in the filter marsh.
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Nature Trails
Named as Site #69! The trails may be short, but the bird viewing is terrific. Over 100 varieties of bird species have been spotted here. Take your self-guided nature walk along the DeLong Mangrove Trail and the Ecotone Trail and Hammock Trail.
Click here to view highlights of the Ecotone Trail compiled and photographed by Conservancy volunteer Susan Leach Snyder.
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Lutgert Commons Area
A FOCAL POINT FOR GATHERING AND CELEBRATIONS.
The Lutgert Commons Area is a central gathering point for guests to plan their visit and access all the new Conservancy Nature Center experiences. Recycled decking materials and LED lighting create a “green” environment for all to enjoy. Reptile Reverie program at 12:00 PM.
Features live reptile.
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Bradley Nature Store
SHOPPING AT ITS BEST.
No visit is complete without a stop in the Bradley Nature Store. Choose from a selection of nature-inspired gifts, books, jewelry, t-shirts, cards, toys and accessories.
Members enjoy a 10 percent discount on all purchases.
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Click here for more tips for an enjoyable and safe visit to Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center.
Click here to see what is coming soon!
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