THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Programs
Environmental Education and Leadership
THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TEAM IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP OF TOMORROW. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE CHILDREN AND ADULTS AN APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S UNIQUE NATURAL RESOURCES. THROUGH THIS WORK, WE AIM TO EQUIP OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND CREATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS. INDIVIDUALS WHO APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE UNIQUE NATURAL RESOURCES ARE MORE WILLING TO HELP PROTECT AND TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FACING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S LAND, WATER AND WILDLIFE (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O). ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE EDUCATION TEAM IN FY 2023-2024: SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS IN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S EDUCATION TEAM REACHED THOUSANDS THROUGH INTERACTIVE, SCIENCE-BASED PROGRAMMING. THE LEARNING ADVENTURES BUS (LAB) BROUGHT HANDS-ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES, WITH 75% OF PARTICIPANTS REPORTING A COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT IN POST-PROGRAM SURVEYS.THE LAB ALSO REACHED OVER 300 STUDENTS AT LOCAL SUMMER CAMPS THROUGH THE SUMMER SLAM OUTREACH INITIATIVE. IN TOTAL, STEM LEARNING ADVENTURES IMPACTED MORE THAN 4,000 INDIVIDUALS, BLENDING FUN AND EDUCATION TO INSPIRE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. ADDITIONALLY, OVER 950 THIRD-GRADE STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN WATERY WONDERS FIELD TRIPS, OFFERING REAL-WORLD INSIGHTS INTO FRESHWATER CONSERVATION AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. SUMMER CAMPIN JUNE 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SUCCESSFULLY RELAUNCHED ITS SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM AFTER A FOUR-YEAR HIATUS DUE TO COVID-19. NEARLY 120 STUDENTS IN GRADES 16 PARTICIPATED IN WEEKLONG SESSIONS EXPLORING FLORIDA'S ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH IMMERSIVE, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES.WITH ENGAGING THEMES LIKE OCEAN EXPLORERS AND SWAMP STOMPERS, CAMPERS ENJOYED NATURE-BASED ACTIVITIES, LIVE ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS, AND EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS TO LOCAL MARINE AND WETLAND HABITATS. THE PROGRAM REESTABLISHED A VITAL CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUTH AND CONSERVATION, FOSTERING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND STEWARDSHIP IN THE NEXT GENERATION.ON-SITE LEARNING AND VISITATIONFROM JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WELCOMED OVER 16,300 VISITORS TO ITS CAMPUS, OFFERING ENGAGING, SCIENCE-BASED EXPERIENCES THROUGH ITS NATURE CENTER AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.DAILY TALKS LED BY THE EDUCATION TEAM COVERED TOPICS SUCH AS INVASIVE SPECIES, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND HURRICANE IMPACTS, WHILE THE SUSAN AND WILLIAM DALTON DISCOVERY CENTER AND JOHN & CAROL WALTER DISCOVERY WING SHOWCASED FLORIDA'S ECOSYSTEMS AND CONSERVATION CHALLENGES. VISITORS ALSO CONNECTED WITH NATURE FIRSTHAND THROUGH ELECTRIC BOAT RIDES AND GUIDED KAYAK TOURS ALONG THE SCENIC GORDON RIVER, ENHANCING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. IN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ENHANCED ITS NATURE CENTER EXHIBITS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO CREATE A MORE ENGAGING AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS. THE 5,000-GALLON PATCH REEF EXHIBIT IN THE SUSAN AND WILLIAM DALTON DISCOVERY CENTER WAS RENOVATED AND NOW FEATURES NEW MARINE SPECIES, INCLUDING THE FLORIDA SPINY LOBSTER.THE EDUCATION TEAM ALSO WELCOMED FOUR JUVENILE ALLIGATORS, RENOVATED THE CANE TOAD EXHIBIT WITH LIVE PLANTS AND CUBAN TREE FROGS, AND UPGRADED THREE UPLAND SNAKE HABITATS WITH DYNAMIC WATER FEATURES. EXHIBIT IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE REPLACING OLDER AQUARIUMS WITH MODERN DESIGNS TO ENHANCE VIEWING. GUESTS NOW ENJOY WEEKLY LIVE FEEDINGS AND EXHIBIT CLEANINGS, OFFERING INTERACTIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND A DEEPER CONNECTION WITH FLORIDA'S NATIVE WILDLIFE.EARTH DAYON APRIL 20, 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WELCOMED 1,800 GUESTS TO ITS 21-ACRE NATURE CENTER FOR THE ANNUAL EARTH DAY FESTIVALA FREE, COMMUNITY-WIDE CELEBRATION PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND EDUCATION.ATTENDEES ENGAGED WITH LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL VENDORS, PARTICIPATED IN STEM-BASED ACTIVITIES, ENJOYED ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS, AND EXPLORED LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH GUIDED BOAT RIDES ON THE GORDON RIVER. THE EVENT SERVED AS A DYNAMIC PLATFORM FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT CONSERVATION CHALLENGES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S NATURAL RESOURCES.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesOct 1, 2023 – Sep 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$2.7MEnvironmental Policy Advocacy
THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TEAM USES A SCIENCE-BASED APPROACH TO TACKLE BROAD REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND COLLABORATES WITH PARTNERS SUCH AS BUSINESS, ENVIRONMENTAL, ACADEMIC AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO ENSURE THE PROPER STEWARDSHIP OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S WATER, LAND AND WILDLIFE. THEY PROVIDE OUR REGION'S DECISION MAKERS WITH THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION ISSUES. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES TACKLED BY THE TEAM ARE SMART GROWTH, WATER ISSUES, MINING, ENDANGERED SPECIES AND WILDLIFE HABITAT PROTECTION (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O). ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE POLICY TEAM IN FY 2023-2024: WETLANDS PROTECTIONIN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ACHIEVED A MAJOR LEGAL VICTORY IN ITS ONGOING EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE REGION'S WETLANDS. AS PART OF A COALITION REPRESENTED BY EARTHJUSTICE, THE CONSERVANCY SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S ASSUMPTION OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 404 PERMITTING PROGRAM, WHICH WOULD HAVE WEAKENED WETLAND PROTECTIONS BY BYPASSING FEDERAL STANDARDS.A FEDERAL COURT RULING IN FEBRUARY 2024 INVALIDATED THE STATE'S PROGRAM, REAFFIRMING THE NEED FOR RIGOROUS REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IMPACTING WETLANDS AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. IN MAY 2024, THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS DENIED THE STATE'S REQUEST TO TEMPORARILY REINSTATE THE PROGRAM, PREVENTING THE APPROVAL OF HARMFUL PROJECTS WHILE THE APPEAL PROCEEDS.THIS LEGAL EFFORT PROTECTED THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF CRITICAL HABITAT AND REINFORCED THE CONSERVANCY'S ROLE AS A LEADER IN DEFENDING ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED ADVOCACY AND LITIGATION. WATER QUALITYTO STRENGTHEN ADVOCACY FOR CLEAN WATER, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARTNERED WITH CAPTAINS FOR CLEAN WATER AND THE SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION TO COMMISSION AN INDEPENDENT ECONOMIC STUDY BY GREENE ECONOMICS. THE STUDY TRANSLATED THE ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF WATER DEGRADATION INTO CLEAR ECONOMIC TERMS, DEMONSTRATING THAT INVESTMENTS IN WATER QUALITY YIELD MEASURABLE ECONOMIC BENEFITS.KEY FINDINGS PROJECTED THAT A RECURRENCE OF HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS LIKE THOSE IN 2005-2006 AND 2018 COULD RESULT IN OVER $5.2 BILLION IN ECONOMIC LOSSES, INCLUDING $460 MILLION IN THE FISHING INDUSTRY AND WIDESPREAD IMPACTS ON PROPERTY VALUES, EMPLOYMENT, AND RECREATION. THE ANALYSIS EQUIPS POLICYMAKERS WITH COMPELLING DATA TO SUPPORT SCIENCE-BASED WATER MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND RESTORATION EFFORTS ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. BELLMARTHE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA TOOK A LEAD ROLE IN OPPOSING THE PROPOSED BELLMAR DEVELOPMENTA SPRAWLING PROJECT OF OVER 4,000 HOMES AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PLANNED WITHIN CRITICAL FLORIDA PANTHER HABITAT IN EASTERN COLLIER COUNTY.THE CONSERVANCY PROVIDED SCIENCE-BASED ANALYSIS AND PUBLIC TESTIMONY TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROJECT'S THREATS TO ENDANGERED SPECIES AND WILDLIFE CORRIDORS. IN COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERS, STAFF ATTENDED A PUBLIC MEETING IN DECEMBER TO ENSURE THE PANTHER'S HABITAT NEEDS WERE CLEARLY REPRESENTED.WITH SECTION 404 PERMITTING RETURNED TO FEDERAL OVERSIGHT, THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT NOW PROVIDES A STRONGER FRAMEWORK TO CHALLENGE HARMFUL DEVELOPMENTS LIKE BELLMAR, REINFORCING THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUED ADVOCACY AND HABITAT PROTECTION EFFORTS.KINGSTONIN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CONTINUED EFFORTS TO OPPOSE THE PROPOSED KINGSTON DEVELOPMENT IN EASTERN LEE COUNTY, WHICH WOULD ADD OVER 10,000 HOMES ADJACENT TO THE CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY AND CORKSCREW REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM WATERSHED (CREW)A VITAL 60,000-ACRE NATURAL RESOURCE THAT PROTECTS LOCAL DRINKING WATER.LOCATED WITHIN THE DENSITY REDUCTION/GROUNDWATER RESOURCE (DR/GR) AREA, THE PROJECT THREATENS 3,300 ACRES OF WILDLIFE HABITAT AND CRITICAL WETLANDS. WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES ONCE AGAIN OVERSEEING CLEAN WATER ACT PERMITTING, THE PROJECT MUST UNDERGO NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA) REVIEW, REQUIRING A THOROUGH ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.THE CONSERVANCY MOBILIZED STRONG PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, WITH OVER 2,500 CITIZENS SUBMITTING COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO KINGSTON, REINFORCING THE CALL FOR RIGOROUS ENVIRONMENTAL SCRUTINY AND PROTECTION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S MOST SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS.EVERGLADES COALITION CONFERENCEIN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WAS HONORED TO HOST THE 39TH ANNUAL EVERGLADES COALITION CONFERENCE IN BONITA SPRINGS, CONVENING CONSERVATION LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND NATION. THE EVERGLADES COALITION REPRESENTS 57 ORGANIZATIONS UNITED IN THE MISSION TO FULLY RESTORE THE GREATER EVERGLADES ECOSYSTEM.AS CONFERENCE HOST, THE CONSERVANCY PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN SHAPING THE DIALOGUE BY MODERATING PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON PRESSING REGIONAL ISSUES, INCLUDING THE FINDINGS OF ITS ECONOMIC WATER QUALITY STUDY AND EMERGING THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GREATER WESTERN EVERGLADES. THIS LEADERSHIP POSITION REINFORCED THE CONSERVANCY'S ROLE AS A TRUSTED VOICE IN COLLABORATIVE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION EFFORTS.CLIMATE RESILIENCEIN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA EXPANDED ITS CLIMATE RESILIENCE WORK BY APPOINTING DR. CARRIE SCHUMAN AS CLIMATE RESILIENCE ADVISOR, A NEW ROLE EMBEDDED WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TEAM AND SUPPORTING CROSS-PROGRAM COLLABORATION. THIS POSITION HAS STRENGTHENED THE CONSERVANCY'S ABILITY TO ENGAGE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS, AND BUSINESSES IN ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE, COMMUNITY-FOCUSED CLIMATE STRATEGIES.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesOct 1, 2023 – Sep 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$2.1MVon Arx Wildlife Hospital Rehabilitation
THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S VON ARX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL ADMITTED APPROXIMATELY 3,600 NATIVE ANIMALS THIS YEAR. THE WILDLIFE HOSPITAL IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF INJURED, SICK AND ORPHANED NATIVE BIRDS, MAMMALS AND REPTILES, ULTIMATELY IMPROVING THEIR ABILITY TO BE RELEASED BACK IN TO THE WILD. THE SECOND GOAL IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION TO OUR NATURE CENTER VISITORS ON HOW TO PREVENT INJURIES TO WILDLIFE. THE VON ARX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL IS THE ONLY FACILITY OF ITS KIND WITHIN COLLIER COUNTY. THE INJURED, SICK AND ORPHANED NATIVE WILDLIFE ARE CARED FOR BY A DEDICATED STAFF OF SEVEN FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, A STAFF VETERINARIAN, AND SEASONAL INTERNS. STAFF EFFORTS ARE SUPPORTED BY VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSIST WITH DIET PREPARATION, CAGE CLEANING (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O).ANIMAL RESTRAINT AND WILDLIFE RESCUE AND RELEASE. ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION TEAM IN FY 2023-2024: SEASON WRAP-UP IN 2024, THE VON ARX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL AT THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ADMITTED 3,828 NATIVE WILDLIFE PATIENTS, AN INCREASE OF OVER 300 FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE HOSPITAL REMAINED OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL CARE TO SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED ANIMALS, INCLUDING SEVERAL RARE SPECIES SUCH AS BOBCATS, A PEREGRINE FALCON, AND A GLASS LIZARD.ADMISSIONS SURGED FOLLOWING HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON, WITH OVER 200 ANIMALS BROUGHT IN AFTER THE STORMS. THE MAJORITY OF CASES CONTINUED TO RESULT FROM HUMAN-RELATED CAUSES, INCLUDING VEHICLE STRIKES (584 ADMISSIONS) AND PET ATTACKS (358 ADMISSIONS). DESPITE THE VOLUME, THE TEAM WORKED TIRELESSLY TO REHABILITATE AND RELEASE HUNDREDS OF ANIMALS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROTECTION AND RECOVERY OF LOCAL WILDLIFE POPULATIONS.VETERINARIAN STAFF UPDATEIN SEPTEMBER 2024, THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HONORED DR. PJ DEITSCHEL, WHO CONCLUDED HER 12-YEAR TENURE AS STAFF VETERINARIAN AT THE VON ARX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL. JOINING THE TEAM IN 2012, DR. PJ PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN TRANSFORMING THE FACILITY INTO A LICENSED VETERINARY WILDLIFE HOSPITAL. WITH EXPERTISE IN BOTH WILDLIFE MEDICINE AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE VETERINARY MEDICINE, SHE CARED FOR THOUSANDS OF NATIVE SPECIES AND MENTORED NUMEROUS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES, LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY GROUNDED IN COMPASSION AND ANIMAL WELFARE.FOLLOWING HER DEPARTURE, THE CONSERVANCY WELCOMED DR. KENDALL CARLIN AS THE NEW STAFF VETERINARIAN. A GRADUATE OF TUFTS UNIVERSITY, DR. CARLIN BRINGS HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE FROM THE RAPTOR CENTER, THE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER OF MINNESOTA, AND INTERNATIONAL WORK IN NEW ZEALAND AND TAIWAN. SHE HAS ALREADY PROVEN TO BE A DEDICATED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ADDITION, COMMITTED TO ENHANCING WILDLIFE CARE AND ENGAGING WITH VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS ALIKE.BABY SHOWERON JUNE 1, 2024, THE VON ARX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL HOSTED ITS ANNUAL SPRING BABY SHOWER TO SUPPORT THE INFLUX OF ORPHANED AND INJURED BABY ANIMALS DURING PEAK WILDLIFE SEASON. NEARLY 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED, CONTRIBUTING OVER 180 WISHLIST DONATIONS TO HELP PROVIDE CRITICAL CARE FOR YOUNG PATIENTS SUCH AS SQUIRRELS, SONGBIRDS, RAPTORS, TURTLES, AND TORTOISES.THE EVENT SERVED AS A VALUABLE PUBLIC EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY, TEACHING ATTENDEES HOW TO PREVENT HARM TO NESTLINGS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SEEKING PROFESSIONAL WILDLIFE CARE. WITH HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS DOUBLING DURING THIS SEASON, THE GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN HELPING THE HOSPITAL MEET THE INCREASED DEMAND.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesOct 1, 2023 – Sep 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$2M
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