Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium Inc.
Fort Myers, FL
THE NATURE CENTER'S MISSION IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH NATURE. THE FACILITY IS LOCATED ON A 105 ACRE WOODED AND CYPRESS DOME AND WETLAND SITE IN THE CITY OF FT. MYERS WITH MILES OF TRAILS AND BOARDWALKS. IT BOASTS A LARGE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AND EDUCATION CLASSROOMS,PLANETARIUM, MULTIMEDIA THEATER, SPACE & ASTRONOMY FACILITY PROGRAMS, AND HISTORIC IONA HOUSE. ITS HOME TO THE ONLY RAPTOR AVIARY IN SW FLORIDA, WHICH HAS A BUTTERFLY CONSERVANCY AND LARGE COLLECTION OF NATIVE WILDLIFE AND RESCUE ANIMALS. ALL OF THESE FACILITIES AND RESOURCES PROVIDE A VENUE FOR DAILY PROGRAMS, CLASSES, FIELD TRIPS AND EVENTS DESIGNED TO TEACH USING RESEARCH BASED METHODOLOGIES. THE NATURE CENTER CONNECTS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES FROM PRE- SCHOOL TO SENIOR CITIZENS. IT BRINGS TOGETHER RESIDENTS, TOURISTS, SCHOOL STUDENTS AND SCORES OF COMMUNITY GROUPS. THE CENTER TEACHES THE POWER OF NATURE ON PERSONAL HEALTH, ECOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING AND AN ENHANCED SENSE OF WONDER AND WELL-BEING. MAJOR INITIATIVES INCLUDE PRO