Connect People to Nature

In Southwest Florida, protecting land and water opens doors for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of time outdoors. Many of the lands we conserve are open for public enjoyment, contributing deeply to the health and vibrancy of our community.

The Benefits of Time in Nature

Kids Need Nature

Being outdoors enhances cognitive, emotional, and social development, helping children learn to process sensory information and understand the world around them. Experiences in nature build a lifelong bond with the environment, inspiring a new generation to care for the earth and the many wonderful creatures who inhabit it.

Kids Programs

Robinson Preserve - Sarah Denison Williams

Better Health and Well-Being

Nature provides us with clean air, fresh water, and spaces to unwind and recharge. Numerous studies show that time in nature lowers stress, boosts happiness, and promotes overall well-being in both children and adults.

Strengthening Community

Time in nature boosts our happiness and community connections! Engaging in outdoor activities helps strengthen community by providing opportunities for social interaction. Whether through group hikes, picnics, or community events, spending time in nature helps strengthen social bonds and foster community togetherness and well-being.

Volunteer

Connect with the land you protect

Get on the land with our education and outreach team! To connect more people to nature, we provide a plethora of high-quality nature-based experiences for people of all ages and from all walks of life. Our youth program, launched in 2017, provides WOW! moments to thousands of children, and our popular community education program, launched in 2021, offers activities and events for all ages.

The lands we protect provide the community with natural spaces to explore, learn, and grow. Connecting people to nature is more than conservation; it’s about building a brighter, healthier future for everyone.

Start planning your visit and connect with nature today !

Explore these public lands we helped protect.

Robinson Preserve Expansion

The protection of this land expands recreational opportunities at Robinson Preserve and provides vital wildlife habitat.

Pepper Ranch Preserve

Pepper Ranch Preserve contains critical Florida panther habitat.

Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve

This property is an important piece of the 567-acres of conservation lands on the east side of Stringfellow Road …

more opportunities to get outside

Engaging and Inspiring Youth

Our youth education program connects hundreds of children with nature each year, nurturing the next generation of conservationists. Focused on engaging at-risk communities, our environmental education has expanded to include community science, school partnerships, and even adult programs.

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Sarah Denison Williams, Community Education Manager, leads Mushroom Walk program - by John Bevis

Community Education and Outreach

From kayaking to nature walks to wildlife education, our programs cater to all. With rotating activities, there’s always something new to discover. Check out our events calendar for upcoming opportunities to learn more about the land you love.

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Volunteers plant pop ash trees along the shoreline at Conservation Foundation's Myakka Headwaters Preserve - by Steve Berlin

Volunteer Opportunities

Experience natural Florida hands-on! Join our monthly land stewardship volunteer outings to help with activities like removing invasive species, planting natives, and trail maintenance. Each outing wraps up with a potluck picnic, offering a wonderful way to give back and connect with the lands your support helps protect.

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