Now & Forever Campaign aims to secure Conservancy’s role protecting water, land, and wildlife
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida proudly announces the public launch of its most ambitious campaign to date, Now & Forever: The Campaign to Protect our Quality of Life. With a preliminary target of $70 million, this transformative campaign is dedicated to enhancing and securing the long-term sustainability of the Conservancy’s vital efforts in environmental science, education, wildlife rehabilitation, and public policy advocacy. With more than 50% of its fundraising goal already achieved, the Now & Forever Campaign is a bold step towards safeguarding Southwest Florida’s natural resources for generations to come.
Serving as the catalyst of this historic campaign is a $25 million lead grant from the John & Carol Walter Family Foundation, by Naples philanthropists John and Carol Walter, to create the new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience. This visionary commitment will help propel the Conservancy towards its $70 million goal. This campaign represents the first major formal fundraising effort for the Conservancy in more than a decade and is a direct response to the rapidly increasing environmental challenges in Southwest Florida, including habitat loss, declining water quality, invasive species and impacts on our community from climate change.
“For more than 60 years, the Conservancy has been a steadfast advocate for the protection and preservation of our water, land, and wildlife,” said Rob Moher, president and CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. “This campaign is about securing our ability to continue and further expand this crucial work today and for generations to come. The generosity of the John & Carol Walter Family Foundation, and John and Carol joining as honorary chairs of the campaign, sets a powerful example of philanthropic leadership and commitment to a sustainable future for Southwest Florida.”
The Now & Forever Campaign focuses on two key pillars:
- A Dynamic Nature Experience ($20 million): This transformsthe Conservancy’s public-facing nature center into an interactive, world-class nature destination to encourage greater mission-inspired community action and develop the conservationists of tomorrow. Of the $25 million grant from the John & Carol Walter Family Foundation, $18 million will fund the creation of the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience and the remaining $7 million will establish two permanent endowments to support the goals of the reimagined John & Carol Walter Nature Experience for decades to come. The Conservancy is beginning this transformational change that will offer new learning experiences through hands-on and dynamic exhibits, programs and immersive natural settings opening in early 2028. This reimagined Nature Experience will increase public engagement, elevate visibility of conservation issues and opportunities, and connect us to a wider group of supporters, volunteers and advocates.
- Our People, Our Programs ($50 million): This goal will strengthen and sustain the funding of the Conservancy’s core teams who power our initiatives, including those in environmental research, public policy advocacy, education, and wildlife rehabilitation through endowment and core program funding. The goal for inspiring this level of endowment funding will allow the Conservancy to cover a third of its annual investment into its mission work while the remaining budget continues to be funded through, and dependent upon, generous annual philanthropic support from members and donors. This campaign goal is driven by the understanding that a strong, community supported, and independent Conservancy is essential now more than ever to protect our water, land, wildlife and our shared future.
“The $25 million grant from the John & Carol Walter Family Foundation serves as a seed investment, inspiring others to join in this bold vision for securing a sustainable future,” explained Conservancy Board Chair Charlie Mueller. “Their commitment ensures the Conservancy has the resources to meet the environmental challenges of today while preparing for those yet to come.”
“This region’s natural beauty and ecological integrity must be protected for future generations,” said H. Thomas Watkins, Now & Forever Campaign chair. “By supporting the Conservancy, donors can help shape our area and preserve the pristine ecosystems that make where we live so enjoyable.”
To learn more about the Now & Forever campaign and how you can support the Conservancy’s mission, visit Conservancy.org/NowandForever.
About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit environmental organization that has protected water, land, and wildlife in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties for more than 60 years. Through environmental science, policy, education, and wildlife rehabilitation, the Conservancy safeguards Southwest Florida’s natural resources for future generations.
Headquartered in Naples, Florida, the Conservancy is home to Collier County’s only native wildlife hospital and its vibrant Nature Center. Currently open to visitors, the Nature Center is undergoing a major transformation into a new, impactful community offering—the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, set to open in 2028. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a gateway to conservation, offering immersive exhibits, hands-on learning, and expanded programs to inspire environmental stewardship and enhance the region’s quality of life.
Learn more and support Southwest Florida’s environmental future at www.conservancy.org.
