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Established in 1970, Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium has been a part of the Southwest Florida community for nearly 50 years! Our mission, inspiring people to connect with nature, is accomplished by educating both children and adults about our unique ecosystem and environmental issues concerning our area. We strive to provide a holistic environmental education program encompassing all areas from astronomy to ecology. Our 105-acre site is home to many rescue animals, butterfly and bird aviaries, two nature trails, SWFL's only planetarium theater, and much more!
Our natural history museum will be the starting point of your visit with us. It is designed to be an immersive experience into the Southwest Florida environment. Take a trip from Lake Okeechobee down through the Caloosahatchee River and into the Gulf of Mexico and view an assortment of wildlife you may encounter on such a journey. In addition to the aquatic wildlife you'll see on our waterways, we also have local reptiles, amphibians, and owls on display! Prehistoric fossils will take you back in time as you experience the giant ground sloth, megalodon shark, and mastodon.
Our butterfly aviary houses many different species of native Florida butterflies. Come observe these beautiful creatures in all stages of their life cycle from caterpillar to chrysalis to adult! If you want to learn even more, don't miss our butterfly talk every day at 11:15 am.
Our raptor aviary that houses injured birds of prey was completed in January 2019. This state-of-the-art building was a labor of love from the entire community, as funds were raised over several years to complete the aviary's rebuild. The aviary is now home to many injured birds of prey including three Eagles (Erika, Slade, Jeepers), two Black Vultures (Huey and Leuy), and a Coopers Hawk (Sheldon), and a Red-Shouldered Hawk (Penny).
In the planetarium we typically have educational/fun public shows at 12:15 pm and 2:15 pm daily; seating starts 15-20 min before the shows. We also offer private planetarium shows at other times for rentals/special events. Admission to planetarium shows is included in the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium ticket price and all public daytime planetarium shows are free to members. Our planetarium shows rotate monthly. The Calusa Nature Center Planetarium is the only planetarium in our area of Southwest Florida, with no other planetarium open to the public along the western half of Florida south of Bradenton. We take our educational mission seriously and love bringing the wonders of the Universe to our Southwest Florida community and visitors!
Two nature trails meander through our 105-acre property. These trails will take you through several ecosystems including pine flatwoods and the cypress dome swamp. Stunning flora and fauna can be observed throughout the year. Our boardwalk trail is currently closed due to hurricane damage, we are in the process of a fundraiser for repairing the boardwalk to its former glory and look forward to reopening it soon.
Hours of Operation: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday - Sunday
3450 Ortiz Ave. Fort Myers, FL 33905 | 239.275.3435
Our natural history museum will be the starting point of your visit with us. It is designed to be an immersive experience into the Southwest Florida environment. Take a trip from Lake Okeechobee down through the Caloosahatchee River and into the Gulf of Mexico and view an assortment of wildlife you may encounter on such a journey. In addition to the aquatic wildlife you'll see on our waterways, we also have local reptiles, amphibians, and owls on display! Prehistoric fossils will take you back in time as you experience the giant ground sloth, megalodon shark, and mastodon.
Our butterfly aviary houses many different species of native Florida butterflies. Come observe these beautiful creatures in all stages of their life cycle from caterpillar to chrysalis to adult! If you want to learn even more, don't miss our butterfly talk every day at 11:15 am.
Our raptor aviary that houses injured birds of prey was completed in January 2019. This state-of-the-art building was a labor of love from the entire community, as funds were raised over several years to complete the aviary's rebuild. The aviary is now home to many injured birds of prey including three Eagles (Erika, Slade, Jeepers), two Black Vultures (Huey and Leuy), and a Coopers Hawk (Sheldon), and a Red-Shouldered Hawk (Penny).
In the planetarium we typically have educational/fun public shows at 12:15 pm and 2:15 pm daily; seating starts 15-20 min before the shows. We also offer private planetarium shows at other times for rentals/special events. Admission to planetarium shows is included in the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium ticket price and all public daytime planetarium shows are free to members. Our planetarium shows rotate monthly. The Calusa Nature Center Planetarium is the only planetarium in our area of Southwest Florida, with no other planetarium open to the public along the western half of Florida south of Bradenton. We take our educational mission seriously and love bringing the wonders of the Universe to our Southwest Florida community and visitors!
Two nature trails meander through our 105-acre property. These trails will take you through several ecosystems including pine flatwoods and the cypress dome swamp. Stunning flora and fauna can be observed throughout the year. Our boardwalk trail is currently closed due to hurricane damage, we are in the process of a fundraiser for repairing the boardwalk to its former glory and look forward to reopening it soon.
Hours of Operation: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday - Sunday
3450 Ortiz Ave. Fort Myers, FL 33905 | 239.275.3435
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Arts & History
