THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

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 2024-2025: DURING THE YEAR, EDUCATION PROGRAMS REACHED MORE THAN 35,000 PARTICIPANTS, REPRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OVER THE PRIOR YEAR. PROGRAM EVALUATIONS SHOWED MEASURABLE GAINS IN ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND INCREASED INTENT TO ENGAGE IN STEWARDSHIP BEHAVIORS. THE LEARNING ADVENTURE BUS EXPANDED ITS REACH THROUGH NEW COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, DELIVERING STEM-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THE CONSERVANCY ALSO WELCOMED 24,130 VISITORS TO THE DALTON DISCOVERY CENTER AND JOHN & CAROL WALTER DISCOVERY WING, A 48 PERCENT INCREASE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR, THROUGH GUIDED TOURS, INTERPRETIVE EXHIBITS, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.

THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S VON ARX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL ADMITS THOUSANDS OF NATIVE ANIMALS EVERY 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. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)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, ANIMAL RESTRAINT AND WILDLIFE RESCUE AND RELEASE. ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION TEAM IN FY 2024-2025: DURING THE YEAR, THE HOSPITAL TREATED 3,457 ANIMALS, INCLUDING BIRDS, MAMMALS, AND REPTILES, ADDRESSING INJURIES RELATED TO VEHICLE COLLISIONS, HABITAT LOSS, DISEASE, AND HUMAN INTERFERENCE. IN RESPONSE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA RISKS, STAFF IMPLEMENTED ENHANCED BIOSECURITY PROTOCOLS, INCLUDING PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, MODIFIED INTAKE PROCEDURES, AND INCREASED MONITORING. THESE MEASURES SUCCESSFULLY PREVENTED IN-HOSPITAL TRANSMISSION WHILE MAINTAINING UNINTERRUPTED CARE. THE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION TEAM ALSO COORDINATED COMPLEX RESCUE, TREATMENT, AND RELEASE EFFORTS IN COLLABORATION WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, RETURNING ANIMALS TO APPROPRIATE HABITAT WHENEVER POSSIBLE.