A great place to take the kids on a quiet, calm boat tour...an animal hospital on premises, pelicans and other birds on the mend, staff talks about and shows you snakes. Very informative group of folks that work here!
Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Naples
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Conservancy of Southwest Florida
1450 Merrihue Drive, Naples, FL 34102
239-262-0304
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17 visitor photos
Ranked #17 of 66 attractions in Naples
Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Owner description:
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida was founded in 1964 and is dedicated to protecting the water, land and wildlife in the region. This is...
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Owner description:
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida was founded in 1964 and is dedicated to protecting the water, land and wildlife in the region. This is accomplished through the synergies of environmental education,science, policy and wildlife rehabilitation, supported by gifts from generous individuals and organizations who care about our future and quality of life.As part of its educational mission, the 2l-acre Conservancy Nature Center has recently completed a $20 million renovation which offers abundant learning opportunities, special activities such as camps for children, and other unique programming and events and is designated as Site #69 on the "Great Florida Birding Trail". In addition to the new entrance, Smith Preserve Way, just south of the Naples Zoo off Goodlette-Frank Road, new features include the Dalton Discovery Center, von Arx Wildlife Hospital nursery viewing area, Windfeldt Shorebird Pool, Shotwell Wavering Filter Marsh, Christopher B. SmithPreserve, Eaton Conservation Hall with Jeannie Meg Smith Theater, electric boat rides up the Gordon River from the Allyn Family Dock and Lagoon, and Ferguson Learning Lab. Kayak rentals and excursions are available for a fee. No visit is complete without a visit to the Bradley Nature Store to select from nature-inspired gifts, toys, jewelry, t-shirts, hats, art and cards. Other Conservancy Nature Center features include a live sea turtle display and touch tank. Electric boat ride schedule changes seasonally and are subject to weather and tide conditions. Open Mon. - Sat., 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM. $12.95 Adults; $8.95 Ages 3-12. Offsite Adventures are offered during season (generally December - April,) the Conservancy of Southwest Florida offers various nature tours: *Good Fortune II Pontoon Boat Cruise through Rookery Bay estuary. * Free Nature walks at Brigg's Boardwalk, Clam Pass and Tigertail beach.
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Wayne, PA.
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Naples, Florida
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It's astounding that you are in the middle of a city!! It is very educational and interesting, especially to someone that isn't from Florida. We loved the electric boat ride and the animal hospital. It is the first place on our list to take visitors
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barbarawilson718, Director of Marketing and Communicaitons at Conservancy of Southwest Florida, responded to this review
21 May 2013
Thanks for sharing your awesome experience with others! I will be sure to pass along your kudos to the Nature Center team and volunteers who work very hard to provide an excellent guest experience.
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Williamsburg, Virginia
Senior Reviewer
Enjoyable experience and better balanced than most Eco-oriented attractions, some of which can be a bit bombastic. Boat tour was relaxing and enjoyable. Butterfly Trail had more ornental than real ones when we visited.
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Naples, Florida
Senior Contributor
We attended the Conservancy's grand reopening, and were amazed at the improvements! From the gopher tortoise habitat, to the animal hospital, and the boat ride, it was all good. It's wonderful to see how many people care about the local ecology and are making a difference with their hard work. I agree with other reviewers -- pair this with the...
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Beachwood, Ohio USA
Senior Contributor
Nice facility; boat ride is relaxing and has informative pilot. Its interesting to see their rehabilitation work close-up. Location is just down the road from the zoo and provides a different, complimentary experience.
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Shelby, Michigan, United States
Senior Reviewer
The new facility is really great...this visit there were manatees in the boat basin and I saw an eagle too. When you get near nature, you never know what to expect.
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Roy W has 1 more review of Conservancy of Southwest Florida
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Reviewed 21 January 2013
RI
Senior Contributor
The new facility is really nice and well plannned. Enjoyed the boat ride and in particular the trainner who showed us the birds at the pavillion.
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barbarawilson718, Director of Marketing and Communications at Conservancy of Southwest Florida, responded to this review
6 May 2013
Thank you for visiting and writing a good review. We are happy that you enjoyed your visit.
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Senior Reviewer
I was so excited about this place that I became a volunteer. The boat ride, the Discovery Center, the Hospital, and other great habitats and accessible and staffed by enthusiastic people who can teach you a lot!
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barbarawilson718, Director of Marketing and Communications at Conservancy of Southwest Florida, responded to this review
10 May 2013
Thank you for returning for another visit. You are so right - you never know what surprises Mother Nature will provide! Glad you enjoyed your time here.
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Reviewer
We took the river cruise and it was so enjoyable. They just recently finished extensive renovations to the Conservancy but we had gone prior to the grand opening so we did not get to take it all in. But it is absolutely on my list for next year. All the volunteers are pleasant and they have a great gift store....
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barbarawilson718, Director of Marketing and Communications at Conservancy of Southwest Florida, responded to this review
3 May 2013
We are very happy you had a great visit! Thank you for your feedback about the enjoyable expereince here. Electri boat cruises are included with admission, whichh is $12.95 for adults and $8.95 for children 3-12. As you noted, members, and sometimes their guests, depending on membership levels, recieve free admission.
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Boxborough, Massachusetts, USA
Contributor
The boat ride is included in the price of admission and is well worth it. The whole place is newly renovated. They have an incredible staff of knowledgeable volunteers!
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