Eagle Eye Update

The Diary of Gordon B. Eagle

May 8, 2026

Chirp chirp… big changes are happening at the Conservancy! The Nature Center is officially closed, and today I spotted the construction gates going up around campus. It feels a little strange seeing things so quiet, but I know it’s all for something exciting... the future John & Carol Walter Nature Experience! Soon, crews will start building a brand-new place where even more people can connect with Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife, and future. Don’t worry, though… the Conservancy team is still out and about in the community with fun offsite programs, and the von Arx Wildlife Hospital is still open, helping wild patients every day. I can’t wait to watch this transformation take flight!

April 27, 2026

Big news… we’re about to become a traveling team! Starting May 1, our current Nature Center will take a little break while the brand-new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience is built, but the adventure is just beginning.

Beginning May 7, the Conservancy will be bringing the wild side of Southwest Florida out into the community to libraries, parks, and neighborhoods all across the area. How cool is that?!

There will be so many fun ways to explore nature, like Little Explorers and Nature Navigators, where kids can enjoy stories, crafts, and hands-on activities all about wildlife. Wild Saturdays will be full of games and creative projects featuring some of Florida’s most amazing animals. And for those who like to get outside, guided nature walks will help everyone discover the plants and wildlife that make this place so special. And that's not even all of it!

Even while our campus is closed for a bit, the Conservancy’s mission will keep soaring strong, and making it easy for everyone to stay connected to nature along the way.

Learn more about all the exciting offsite events and programming at conservancy.org/naturecenter.

P.S. Don't forget that the von Arx Wildlife Hospital will stay open during construction, so they can keep helping wildlife like me. They accept animal admissions every single day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

April 13, 2026

Chirp chirp again, friends! Okay… I know I already told you about the Earth Day Festival and the big groundbreaking for the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, but I just had to swoop back in with one more reminder because it’s getting SO close!

BUT WAIT! Here’s a little insider scoop from yours truly... The first 300 people to arrive will get a FREE Nature Experience gift!

Yep. You heard that right. Early birds get the… well… gift! (I am the early bird, so I approve this message.)

And don’t forget, we’ll also be celebrating a HUGE moment with the groundbreaking. This is where the future of the Conservancy really starts to take shape, and I couldn’t be more excited!

March 11, 2026

I’m flapping with excitement for the upcoming Earth Day Festival and the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience groundbreaking at the Conservancy! It’s going to be an amazing day filled with activities, presentations, and ways to celebrate our planet together. The Earth Day Festival is a free, family-friendly event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Conservancy campus with games, exhibits, animal encounters, and more.

I’ll be keeping my eagle eyes on all the fun, so make sure you check out the full schedule of events and programs and plan your visit!

January 13, 2026

Big news has landed at the Conservancy, and my feathers are buzzing! Today, we shared exciting new plans for the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, which will become our brand-new public-facing front door. It’s designed to immerse visitors in the science, solutions, and stories behind protecting water, land, and wildlife, and why it all matters to Southwest Florida.

There will be a nature-inspired stormwater lake, a welcoming new exhibit-filled welcome center, outdoor decks, trails, electric-boat rides, shaded picnic areas (hello, food truck!), and even solar panels soaking up the sunshine. We also revealed a brand-new logo to mark the start of this public journey.

While the Nature Center will close during construction from May 2026 to November 2026, we’re spreading our wings with free off-site programs across the community. The wildlife hospital stays open, memberships are extended, and the big groundbreaking happens April 18, 2026, during our Earth Day Festival. I’ll be there, front and center!

Stay tuned as I share more updates on the road to opening in early 2028.

Gordon Diary Entry JCWNE Ampitheater View

October 6, 2025

I met with the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience construction team to make sure everything is soaring right along. Our Civil Engineer, Frank Feeney, showed me some of the plans and assured me that all of your suggestions are being taken into consideration!

Have you given your input on what you would like included in the new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience? If you've got a minute, I’m all ears (well…wings)! Scroll to the bottom of the page to fill it out.

August 30, 2025

As the Conservancy’s Resident Fun Officer & Jr. Conservationist, my job is to make learning about nature exciting (and maybe sneak in a few high-fives along the way). I’m extra proud to be helping with the big changes coming to the Nature Center with the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, right alongside our President & CEO, Rob Moher. Big wings, big dreams!

But hey—that’s just a flap of my story. Want to know how a 6-year-old bald eagle became the first feathered staff member at the Conservancy? Read my bio below!

August 19, 2025

Big news is soaring into the Conservancy of Southwest Florida... the Nature Center is getting a huge transformation into the new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience! From my perch, I’ve overheard plans for interactive exhibits, new spaces for families, and tons of opportunities to learn about water, land, and wildlife. That means more friends to meet, more high-fives to give, and definitely more chances to show off my dance moves. I can't wait!

John & Carol Walter Nature Experience Suggestions

The John & Carol Walter Nature Experience is excited to incorporate ideas from our community. Tell us the types of exhibits and amenities you hope to see in the new Nature Experience.