Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

Name

Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

Legal name

Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

Website

https://calusanature.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education & Planetarium Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

Keywords

• Environmental education
• Planetarium shows
• Wildlife conservation
• Summer camps
• Immersive dome experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Myers

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admission: Individual entry fees for daily access to the nature center, trails, and scheduled planetarium shows. Adults $13, Children $7, with members receiving free admission.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs offering free admission, discounts on events and camps, and membership-only offers on summer camp registrations.
3. Special Events and Premium Shows: Ticketed events including Music Under the Stars ($20-$25), Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon shows ($15), Beautifica ($24+), and Fort Myers Film Festival dome screenings ($12 per block). Revenue includes ticket service fees.
4. Summer Camps: Week-long summer camp programs for grades 1st-8th, priced at $250 per camper with membership discounts available. Includes camps like Aquatic Adventures, Wild About Water, Enchanted Forest, Expedition Florida, and more.
5. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN #23-7090889. Also accepts donations via Amazon Wish List items and direct contributions.
6. Event Rentals and Sponsorships: Private event rentals for corporate events, parties, and gatherings. Sponsorship opportunities available for businesses to support the organization.
7. Butterfly Journey Add-on: $10 add-on experience separate from daily admission for the Butterfly Journey immersive film.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium operates a 105-acre environmental education destination in Fort Myers, Florida, combining a wildlife sanctuary with Southwest Florida's only public planetarium. The organization delivers immersive 360-degree dome theater experiences, hands-on nature education, wildlife conservation programs, themed summer camps, field trips, and event rentals. Revenue is generated through admission fees, memberships, summer camp tuition, donations, sponsorships, and private event bookings.

Product overview

Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium operates as a unified environmental education and entertainment destination offering multiple integrated experiences. The core portfolio includes a planetarium theater (Southwest Florida's only public planetarium) presenting immersive dome shows such as Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon, Butterfly Journey, Beautifica, Music Under the Stars, and Fort Myers Film Festival 360° dome screenings. The nature center features 105 acres of sanctuary with non-releasable rescue animals, butterfly gardens, bird aviaries, and nature trails. Educational programs include field trips, homeschool, preschool, and night hikes. Seasonal summer camps serve children grades 1st-8th with themed topics including survival skills, aquatic adventures, and wildlife exploration. The organization also offers event rentals, membership programs, internship opportunities, and hosts special events like Pints in the Pines. All offerings are interconnected through the unified mission of inspiring people to connect with nature.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Planetarium Shows Immersive full-dome planetarium presentations featuring astronomy education, music experiences, and cinematic shows in Southwest Florida's only public planetarium theater. Available as daily programming Tuesday-Sunday with scheduled showtimes.
• Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon Experience Immersive dome experience combining Pink Floyd's 1973 album with modern visuals, surround sound, and views of the solar system. Produced by NSC Creative with Pink Floyd's creative collaborator Aubrey Powell from Hipgnosis.
• Butterfly Journey Visually stunning dome film bringing the wonder of butterfly migration to life through immersive 360-degree presentation. Available as a $10 add-on separate from daily admission on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
• Beautifica 360-degree immersive dome experience created by James Hood (creator of Mesmerica), blending music, art, and science through particle simulations and emotional storytelling. Winner of DomeFestWest 2021 Sphere of Light Award. Tickets starting at $24.
• Music Under the Stars Live music event series featuring acclaimed musicians performing under the planetarium dome, combining live performances with immersive celestial visuals. Tickets $20 members / $25 non-members.
• Nature Center Environmental education facility featuring non-releasable rescue animals, butterfly garden, bird aviaries, and nature trails across a 105-acre sanctuary. Includes daily programming such as animal talks.
• Summer Camps Seasonal day camps for children grades 1st-8th featuring themed educational programs including nature exploration, wildlife education, survival skills, aquatic science, and outdoor adventures. Priced at $250 per camper with membership discounts up to 20%.
• Field Trips & Groups Educational field trip programs for school groups featuring hands-on nature education, animal encounters, and planetarium presentations aligned with educational standards. Designed for preschool through high school.
• Homeschool Programs Educational programming designed specifically for homeschool families covering environmental science, astronomy, and wildlife education.
• Preschool Programs Age-appropriate educational activities introducing young children to nature, animals, and basic scientific concepts through interactive experiences.
• Night Hikes Guided evening nature walks exploring the sanctuary's trails after dark, featuring nocturnal wildlife observation and stargazing opportunities.
• Pints in the Pines Annual fundraising event featuring craft beer tastings, local food vendors, live music, and nature trails open after dark, with special planetarium shows. Tickets $60.
• Event Rentals Facility rental options for private events including corporate gatherings, weddings, and special celebrations at the nature center and planetarium.
• Memberships Annual membership program offering free admission, discounts on camps and events, and other member benefits for individuals and families.
• Nurture Nature (Donations) Donation program supporting environmental education, wildlife care, and facility improvements at the nonprofit nature center. Tax-deductible contributions to the 501(c)(3) organization.
• Animal Care Internship Hands-on internship providing experience in animal husbandry for non-releasable ambassador animals including daily care, cleaning, diet preparation, and enrichment activities. Unpaid position for students in relevant academic programs.
• Education Internship Internship combining environmental education and animal care experience, involving daily animal interactions, educational program development, and public presentations. Unpaid position for students in relevant academic programs.
• Planetarium Internship Internship for students in physical sciences or science communication to present shows, operate the planetarium, create new exhibits, and assist with maintenance. Unpaid position enhancing professional skills in planetarium operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves Southwest Florida community with environmental and astronomy education for over 50 years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fort Myers Film FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Annual venue host for Fort Myers Film Festival's 360-degree dome film programming. Festival runs May 20-24, 2026 with dome screenings May 21-22 featuring films like Dark Biosphere, Space Explorers, and independent shorts.
• Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Expanded partnership between FGCU and Calusa Nature Center for educational programs, student internships, and collaborative initiatives in environmental and astronomy education.
• Vulcan MaterialsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium.
• Ace HardwareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing support to the nature center.
• R4 RoofingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting the organization.
• City of Fort MyersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal sponsor and partner supporting community programming.
• Sanibel Captiva Community BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal bank sponsor supporting the nature center.
• Babcock RanchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner and sponsor.
• HERC RentalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment rental company sponsor.
• SWFL ProduceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal produce company sponsor.
• Calusa WaterkeeperminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental advocacy organization sharing the mission of nature connection and water conservation education.
• Dubia (Roaches)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor listed on website.
• ZoomedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor listed on website (zoomed.com).
• Aux DelicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sponsor.
• Famous Dave'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant sponsor.
• Sidney & Berne Davis Art CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts venue partnered through Board member Jim Griffith's leadership of Florida Arts, Inc. Both organizations serve Fort Myers arts and culture community.
• James Hood / BeautificacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeautifica is a 360-degree immersive dome experience created by James Hood (also creator of Mesmerica). The show made its Southwest Florida premiere at Calusa Planetarium. Beautifica has sold 50,000+ tickets across North America.
• NSC CreativecoreTechnology or IntegrationVisual production team for Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon planetarium shows. Worked with Pink Floyd's creative collaborator Aubrey Powell from Hipgnosis to create immersive 50th anniversary visuals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: Sarasota, FL marine research institution and public aquarium with education programs, field trips, and animal exhibits. Comparable as a SWFL/central Gulf Coast nonprofit combining live animal ambassadors, education programming, and visitor-based revenue.
• Butterfly World: Coconut Creek, FL attraction operating the world's largest butterfly park with aviaries and gardens. Directly comparable on the butterfly garden and bird aviary component of Calusa's nature center offering.
• Museum of Discovery and Science: Fort Lauderdale, FL science museum featuring an IMAX theater and immersive space/science exhibits plus school and summer camp programming. Comparable as a Florida family science destination combining immersive film/dome-format programming with hands-on education.
• Orlando Science Center: Orlando, FL science museum with a planetarium dome theater and extensive school field trip, homeschool, and summer camp programming. Highly comparable in combining immersive dome shows, nature/STEM exhibits, and recurring educational programs for families and schools.
• Naples Botanical Garden: Naples, FL public botanical garden in the same SWFL region as Calusa, offering trails, gardens, and family/school programming. Comparable as a regional nature nonprofit serving overlapping SWFL audiences and education markets.
• Conservancy of Southwest Florida: Naples-based environmental nonprofit with a nature center, wildlife exhibits, and environmental education programming in the same SWFL market. Highly comparable mission, audience, and nonprofit operating model.
• Florida Museum of Natural History: Gainesville, FL natural history museum featuring the Butterfly Rainforest exhibit, habitat displays, and extensive K-12 education and field trip programming. Comparable in combining living collections (butterflies/animals), trails, and curriculum-aligned education.
• The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature: Bradenton, FL science and natural history museum that combines a planetarium (the Parker Manatee Aquarium and Planetarium) with natural history exhibits and educational programming, making it the closest single-venue analog to Calusa's nature-center-plus-planetarium model in Florida.
• Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI): Tampa, FL science center operating the Florida Hospital IMAX Dome Theatre, a 360° immersive dome that runs science films and music experiences (e.g., Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin dome shows). Directly comparable in offering dome-format premium entertainment alongside science education.

Broad incumbents

• ZooTampa at Lowry Park: Tampa, FL zoo and aquarium with extensive wildlife exhibits, education programs, and immersive experiences. Comparable as a larger Florida nonprofit operating animal ambassador programs, summer camps, and field trips, but at significantly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CalusaNature
• Instagraminstagram.com/calusanaturecenterplanetarium
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/calusa-nature-center

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium