Commitment to redefine the community
experience and inspire conservation across generations
NAPLES,
Fla., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
is honored to receive a historic $25
million grant from the John & Carol Walter Family
Foundation, the largest philanthropic commitment in the
organization's history.
This extraordinary grant builds upon 60 years of visionary donor
support, enabling the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to transform the current
Nature Center brand and public offerings into the new redefined
John & Carol Walter Nature Experience. The goal is to
inspire and invite the community to protect our shared natural
environment that preserves our unique way of life enjoyed today,
and into the future.
This landmark grant will not only direct the transformation of
the on-site educational experience but also dramatically expands
the way the Conservancy engages with residents and guests alike, by
creating new spaces, program offerings, and continuously evolving
highly interactive exhibits for the greater good of the community.
The John & Carol Walter Nature Experience will inspire
individuals to take action and support the Conservancy's critical
mission to preserve Southwest
Florida's water, land, wildlife, and future, for generations
to come.
The new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience will
feature:
- Interactive and Dynamic Learning Programs: Hands-on
exhibits, guided tours, traveling exhibits, and state-of-the-art
multimedia technology will make education engaging, memorable, and
ever-changing. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of local
ecosystems and conservation challenges;
- Immersive Natural Settings: Carefully preserved
diverse habitats and peaceful spaces will create new opportunities
for visitors to connect with nature, reflect, and recharge;
- Conservation and Stewardship Education: Clear,
accessible exhibits and materials will inspire action, showing
visitors what they can personally do and contribute to preserving
Southwest Florida's environment as
members, volunteers, and advocates;
- Family-Friendly Features: Inclusive programs and
facilities will be designed for all ages, with child-centered
activities and accessible amenities to ensure a welcoming
experience for everyone;
- Cultural and Community Engagement: Collaboration with
local schools, artists, and organizations will continue to enrich
the visitor experience, fostering a sense of shared responsibility
and regional stewardship;
- Best-in-Class Sustainability Practices: A
transformed guest experience featuring a new welcome center complex
as the gateway to the Conservancy's mission, showcasing exhibits,
thematic programs, and traveling exhibits; a sustainably
designed building including a two-and-a-half-story parking garage
with a solar panel roof; and a half-acre stormwater lake and
enhanced filter marsh system to showcase innovative water quality
enhancement efforts.
A Lasting Legacy for Southwest
Florida
John and Carol Walter's
generosity represents a new standard for philanthropic conservation
leadership in Southwest Florida.
The family's commitment to environmental stewardship further
strengthens the Conservancy's long-term focus on education and
engagement-for-action, elevating the organization's pursuit to its
fullest potential to protect the region's water, land, and
wildlife.
"My family has become deeply connected to the natural beauty and
our shared way of life here in Southwest
Florida," said John Walter.
"This area is important and holds great significance to all of us.
We feel a great responsibility to get involved and care for our
surroundings since they offer so much meaning and enjoyment. Like
many, we want our community to thrive for future generations. It's
our hope that the re-imagined Nature Experience will continue to
positively transform this critical regional destination so that
residents and visitors will better understand how fundamental the
Conservancy's mission is to each of our personal lives. We hope our
commitment inspires others to learn more and join us by investing
in our way of life, which benefits all in Collier County."
A Visionary New Chapter to fulfill the Mission of the
Conservancy of Southwest
Florida
The John & Carol Walter Nature Experience and its programs,
staff, and facilities will mark a bold new chapter, ensuring a
thriving future for the Conservancy by creating two new permanent
endowments for support.
"This $25 million grant is not
just a benefit for the Conservancy but for the entire Southwest Florida community. The John &
Carol Walter Nature Experience will ultimately enrich the lives of
residents and visitors, empower individuals to take meaningful
action in conservation, and secure a brighter future for the
region's unique ecosystems," Conservancy President and CEO
Rob Moher says of the historic
moment. "The more we connect with nature, the more likely we all
are willing and able to protect it. John
and Carol Walter's family passionately and purposefully
understand the value of making that connection. We are truly
grateful to the John & Carol Walter Family Foundation for their
transformative grant and are pleased to offer appreciation and
celebration for their continued commitment to the Conservancy's
mission to enhance the quality of life we all enjoy in Southwest Florida."
The opening of the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience is
anticipated in the first half of 2028. To learn more, go to
conservancy.org/natureexperience or follow the Conservancy's social
media accounts to stay informed.
About the Conservancy of Southwest
Florida
The Conservancy of Southwest
Florida is a non-profit environmental protection
organization with a 60-year history focused on the issues impacting
the water, land, wildlife, and future of Collier, Lee,
Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties. The Conservancy accomplishes
this mission through the combined efforts of its experts in
environmental science, policy, education, and wildlife
rehabilitation. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, world-class Nature
Center, and von Arx Wildlife Hospital are headquartered
in Naples, Florida at 1495 Smith
Preserve Way. Learn more about the Conservancy's work and how
to support the quality of life in Southwest Florida at Conservancy.org.
About the John and Carol Walter Family Foundation
John & Carol Walter Family Foundation is a private
foundation founded in 2011 by John R. and Carol A. Walter of Naples, Florida. The foundation's mission is
to support distinctive organizations and programs that foster
meaningful community partnerships and promote energy, excitement,
and transformational improvements to community life. The family's
values and history reflect decades of invitation-only, strategic
philanthropy given to preserve and protect conservation, advance
the welfare of children and animals, promote health and well-being,
and support the vitality of the performing arts and education.
Media Assets Link: Conservancy-John & Carol Walter
Nature Experience, Press Release Assets
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-conservancy-of-southwest-florida-announces-transformative-25-million-grant-from-john--carol-walter-family-foundation-302352441.html
SOURCE Conservancy of Southwest
Florida
