Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Name

Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Legal name

Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Website

https://conservancy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE), Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation services
• Wildlife rehabilitation
• Environmental education programs
• Environmental policy advocacy
• Ecological research

Headquarters

HQ city

Naples

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that protects Southwest Florida's water, land, wildlife, and future through four integrated program areas: Environmental Science & Research (invasive species removal, sea turtle monitoring, water quality), Environmental Policy & Advocacy (water quality, habitat protection, smart growth), Environmental Education (Nature Center, school programs, mobile classroom), and Wildlife Rehabilitation (von Arx Wildlife Hospital treating 4,000+ animals annually). The organization operates a 21-acre Nature Center campus, Rookery Bay eco-cruises, and is undergoing transformation into the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience.

Product overview

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida operates a multi-faceted environmental conservation organization with four interconnected program areas: Environmental Science & Research (conducting studies on mangroves, invasive species including python removal, and sea turtles), Environmental Policy & Advocacy (focused on water quality, habitat protection, and Everglades restoration), Environmental Education (delivering programs via the Nature Center, Learning Adventures Bus, summer camps, and outreach), and Wildlife Rehabilitation (via the von Arx Wildlife Hospital treating 4,000+ animals annually). The organization is undergoing a major transformation with the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, a reimagined 21-acre nature center with interactive exhibits and sustainable facilities expected to open in 2028, funded by a $25 million grant. Additional offerings include Rookery Bay Eco-Cruises aboard the Good Fortune II pontoon boat and community events programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• John & Carol Walter Nature Experience: The transformative project converting the Nature Center into an immersive, hands-on destination featuring interactive exhibits, live animal experiences, expanded electric boat tours, nature trails, and outdoor gathering spaces. Expected to open in early 2028.
• von Arx Wildlife Hospital

Products and services

• von Arx Wildlife Hospital Emergency wildlife rehabilitation facility providing medical care to injured, sick, and orphaned native birds, mammals, and reptiles. Treats over 4,000 animals annually, with approximately 50% successfully released back to their natural habitats. Open 8AM-5PM, 365 days per year, accepts admissions at 1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples.
• Nature Center 21-acre nature center featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits, artifacts, and live animals showcasing Southwest Florida's unique wildlife and habitats. Includes nature trails. Temporarily closed for renovation through December 2026.
• John & Carol Walter Nature Experience Transformed and expanded nature center experience featuring interactive exhibits, preserved diverse habitats, a new welcome center complex with a two-and-a-half-story parking garage with solar panel roof, expanded electric boat tours, and enhanced educational programming. Expected to open in early 2028.
• Environmental Education Programs Educational programs including field trips, summer camps, outreach programs, and the Learning Adventures Bus (LAB) mobile classroom bringing hands-on science education to schools and communities.
• Rookery Bay Eco-Cruise Guided pontoon boat tours through Rookery Bay aboard the 25-passenger Good Fortune II, led by Coast Guard-certified captains and Conservancy naturalists. Offers sunset cruises, mid-morning cruises, lunch cruises, and shelling cruises from mid-November through April. Member pricing $45/adult and $25/child; non-member pricing $55/adult and $30/child.
• Environmental Science & Research Scientific research programs focusing on coastal ecology, invasive species control (including Burmese python removal), Western Everglades restoration, and urban ecology, conducted in collaboration with universities and government agencies.
• Environmental Policy & Advocacy Policy advocacy work focused on climate resilience, water quality, habitat protection, Everglades restoration, and smart growth in Southwest Florida's five-county region (Collier, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties).
• Offsite Events & Programming Community events including Wild Saturdays, Lecture Series, Nature Walks, Little Explorers (ages 2-5), Nature Navigators (ages 6-8), and member-exclusive events held at local parks and libraries during Nature Center closure through December 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• 177 pythons (8,080 pounds) removed in single 2025-2026 breeding season
• +6 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partner in studying Burmese pythons as seed dispersers, working with researchers on discovering seed germination from python digestive systems.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal research partner collaborating on python ecology studies, including seed dispersal research and invasive species impact assessment.
• Greene EconomicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic research firm commissioned to conduct water quality economic impact study for Captains for Clean Water, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation.
• Captains for Clean WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in water quality advocacy, co-commissioning economic study on water quality impacts to the regional economy.
• Sanibel Captiva Conservation FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in water quality advocacy, co-commissioning economic study on water quality impacts to the regional economy.
• Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) - The Water SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with collaborative research initiatives. Rob Moher serves as Advisory Committee Member for The Water School at FGCU.
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState wildlife agency partner. FWC held regular meeting in southwest Florida hearing comments from the Conservancy. Conservancy participates in FWC task forces for panther recovery and other species protection.
• Naples Airport AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservancy attended groundbreaking ceremony for Naples Airport Authority's Airfield Lighting & Vault Replacement Project, participating in airport resiliency initiatives.
• Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research ReservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for eco-cruise operations. The Good Fortune II boat departs from Shell Island Road near Rookery Bay Research Reserve facilities.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Captains for Clean Water: Direct peer advocacy organization focused on Everglades and water quality issues in Southwest Florida. Named as a core strategic partner co-commissioning economic impact studies with the Conservancy.
• Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation: Direct peer operating in Southwest Florida with an integrated science, education, and conservation mission. Listed as an active co-partner on water quality advocacy (Green Economics study) and the Conservancy previously hired their Coastal Resilience Manager, demonstrating labor market and programmatic overlap.
• Everglades Foundation: Direct peer focused on Everglades restoration and water quality advocacy in South Florida. Operates with comparable science-advocacy model and competes for similar state and philanthropic funding.
• Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve: Federal-state research reserve co-located in Naples; operates comparable coastal ecology research, eco-cruise tourism, and education programs. Named as a direct operational partner for the Conservancy's eco-cruise business.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Largest global conservation nonprofit; operates Florida chapters and competes for the same donor base and grant funding in the region, though at a much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• National Audubon Society: National conservation nonprofit with comparable bird/wildlife focus, sanctuary operations (e.g., Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in same region), and policy advocacy. Competes for conservation donors and grants.
• Defenders of Wildlife: National wildlife conservation and policy advocacy organization. Competes for wildlife-focused donors and federal grant funding with overlapping panther, sea turtle, and habitat protection priorities.
• National Wildlife Federation: Largest US private conservation organization; competes for the same national donor base and pursues overlapping wildlife and habitat advocacy agendas.
• World Wildlife Fund: Global conservation heavyweight with US programs on species protection and habitat conservation. Competes for major donor philanthropy and global conservation grants.

Regional players

• Florida Wildlife Federation: Statewide Florida conservation nonprofit with similar hunting/fishing, habitat, and policy focus. Directly competes for state-level donors and members.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ConservancySWFL
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCg85XbUoEK51gZX3g650AAw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ConservancySWF
• Instagraminstagram.com/conservancyswf

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Conservancy of Southwest Florida