Conservancy of Southwest Florida opens Dalton Discovery Center

NAPLES, Fla., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Conservancy of Southwest Florida announces the opening of the new Susan and William Dalton Discovery Center. Located at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center in Naples, the Dalton Discovery Center showcases southwest Florida's diverse ecosystems, the creatures that live within and an overview of the work conducted by Conservancy of Southwest Florida. A unique, state-of-the-art, interpretive and multi-sensory experience, the Dalton Discovery Center houses six immersive eco-system exhibits under one roof:  Introduction Gallery, Uplands, Everglades, Mangroves, Sandy Beaches, and the Ocean gallery.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121115/FL14609 )

Guests can enjoy more than 100 animals in life-like enclosures and aquaria to better understand the unique habitats of southwest Florida, why they are important, how the Conservancy of Southwest Florida works to protect them and how they can take action. This world-class experience was made possible through a generous leadership gift from Sue and Bill Dalton with support from more than 40 additional donors.

"The new Dalton Discovery Center provides guests an indoor field trip to visit uplands, the Everglades, mangroves, beaches, the ocean and the Everglades, all under one roof," said Susan Dalton. "The Dalton Discovery Center serves to teach other about the Conservancy mission and develop the next generation of environmental leaders."

The Conservancy worked with renowned interpretive designers Cambridge Seven Associates, Kubik Maltbie, and Living Color to design the exhibits and aquariums. These companies have created some of the most sophisticated interpretive plans including Disney and Sea World by Living Color; the National Aquarium by Cambridge Seven and Associates; and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History by Kubik Maltbie.

"We gathered the most talented designers in the interpretive industry to create an environment that provides the best guest experience and globally enhance our mission," said David Webb, Conservancy of Southwest Florida education manager. "The exhibits, sounds, lighting and aquariums work in harmony inside the Dalton Discovery Center, providing guests of all abilities a multi-sensory journey that is both educational and empowering."

"The Susan and William Dalton Discovery Center is a significant enhancement to the Conservancy Nature Center that educates and entertains guests with live animals and interactive programs that inspire support for the mission," said Andrew McElwaine, Conservancy of Southwest Florida president. "We are grateful to the Daltons for their generous leadership gift and to all our donors, members, volunteers and the community for their dedication to making the Conservancy of Southwest Florida the premiere Nature Center in the southeastern United States."

For information on the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, visit http://www.conservancy.org/nature-center or call 239-262-0304.

SOURCE Conservancy of Southwest Florida