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The Conservancy of Southwest Florida hosted a ceremonial wildlife release to celebrate the start of construction on the new von Arx Wildlife Clinic, the latest phase of its multi-million-dollar sustainable campus initiative, part of its “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign. Namesakes Sharon and Dolph von Arx, Conservancy staff, board members, donors and Capital Campaign Committee members participated in a ceremonial release of a rehabilitated mourning dove into the wild, symbolizing the mission of the new clinic: to treat and release injured wildlife back into its native habitat.

Sharon and Dolph von Arx provided a generous $1.5 million leadership gift to the “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign to fund a large portion of the new wildlife clinic which, once complete, will provide the essential room, tools and resources to treat and save diverse native wildlife species. The von Arx’s also pledged $50,000 to fund the Sharon von Arx Flight Recovery Aviary.

“The Wildlife Clinic has an important dual role in caring for and rehabilitating wildlife, but also introduces more people to the Conservancy than any other program,” said the von Arx’s. “We hope the new clinic will enable the Conservancy to expand and enhance its work.”

Other major donors helping to fund the new wildlife clinic include Barbara W. Moore, Sidney and Nancy Sapakie, Fred and Sue Schulte, Deki Stephenson, Edward and Susan Yawney and one anonymous donor. Additional support was provided by Dr. Robert Schultheis, and Chuck and Jean Zboril. The total cost of the new Wildlife Clinic is $2.6 million.

The current Conservancy of Southwest Florida Wildlife Clinic was built to handle approximately 600-800 animals per year, but is now treating more than 2,500 injured, sick and orphaned wildlife annually in outdated, cramped quarters. The new von Arx Wildlife Clinic will have the capacity to treat more than double that number. The expanded, 4,500-square-foot clinic will include larger medical facilities and an upgraded interpretive area to educate visitors about the important wildlife rehabilitation work of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

“The Wildlife Clinic will be a significant enhancement to our Nature Center, enabling us to treat animals in a less stressful environment – and increase their chances to be released into the wild,” says Andrew McElwaine, president and CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. “The new facility will be one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation facilities in this part of the country.”

The space will include separate recovery areas for mammals, reptiles and birds, an animal nursery and new operating and x-ray rooms. The clinic will also serve as an education center, allowing the public learn about rehabilitation without disturbing the wildlife or their treatments.

While almost half of the “patients” are released back into the wild, native wildlife that are either recovering or not able to care for themselves will be placed in an outdoor viewing area. Completion of the von Arx Wildlife Clinic is estimated for second quarter of 2011. In the interim, the existing Wildlife Clinic will remain operational.

“We are grateful to Sharon and Dolph von Arx for their leadership gift to the ‘Saving Southwest Florida’ Capital Campaign,” said Rob Moher, vice-president of development and marketing for the Conservancy. “Other generous donors have contributed toward this project and their contributions have been vital in allowing us to start construction of this wildlife clinic.”

For others interested in being a part of the campus renovation project, additional naming opportunities are still available. Information can be found on at http://www.conservancy.org/.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Sustainable Campus Initiative:
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has begun a new sustainable campus initiative launched in April 2009 as part of its Saving Southwest Florida Capital Campaign. The 21-acre Conservancy Nature Center is being transformed into a model for sustainable design and environmental responsibility, with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for both buildings and the Nature Center. Once completed, the new Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center will include two new buildings and three major rehabilitation project.

• A new Wildlife Clinic with more space, improved treatment areas and modern equipment
• Totally remodeled Discovery Center with new and exciting environmental exhibits
• A new Environmental Planning Center with updated research laboratories
• Conservation Hall and theater will be created from the existing auditorium space and will be used for increased environmental education programming, meetings and events
• Interactive Learning Lab for hands-on learning about environmental topics and sustainability
• Two constructed wetlands areas serving as natural filter marshes to cleanse storm water before being released into the Gordon River and Naples Bay
• New trails, gardens and walkways with native landscaping
• New environmental education and programming

The project also includes a new entrance to the Conservancy Nature Center, Smith Preserve Way, from Goodlette-Frank Road that will bring the vision of a “Naples Central Park” closer to reality. The new entrance will potentially provide access to the Gordon River Greenway Park and the Naples Zoo.

Green building practices, sustainability features and best management practices are being incorporated into all aspects of the construction and building designs. Key features include:

• All new buildings will be built to rigorous LEED standards.
• LEED standards will be applied across the overall for Nature Center.
• Water conservation will be emphasized and best management practices for stormwater management applied. Storm water will be captured for re-use or filtered before naturally flowing into the Gordon River.
• Energy efficiency will be incorporated at every opportunity with a multi-year goal to achieve “net zero” energy cost.

The project is being funded through the ongoing multi-million dollar capital campaign. Campus construction will be phased over several years to minimize the impact on Conservancy guests and staff. Completion is expected sometime in the first quarter of 2012.

The construction project team members bring a variety of backgrounds and specialization in sustainable design, advanced building construction and applied technology to the project. All contractors working on the project have achieved or are pursuing personal LEED accreditation. The construction partners all have adapted their own business philosophies and practices to meet the demands of the project. They also have committed to using their experience with sustainability practices on the Conservancy campus to extend that concept into future projects for other Southwest Florida clients. Team members include:

• Curtis Cafiso, Conservancy of Southwest Florida (Project Executive)
• Keith Predmore, Keith Predmore & Associates (Owner’s Representative)
• Casey Neurock, Neugreen LLC (LEED Consultant)
• Fernando Zabala and Brian Leaders, Larry Warner Architects (Master Planning and Building Design)
• Alex Lopez, JALRW Engineering Group (MEP Engineers)
• Derry Berrigan, DBLD Sustainable Lighting Design (LED Lighting)
• Peter Kuttner, Cambridge 7 Associates (Discovery Center Exhibit Design and Campus Interpretive Design)
• Walter Crawford, Heatherwood Construction (Construction Managers)
• Frank Feeney, Hole Montes (Civil Engineer)

High resolution images of the new Wildlife Clinic renderings are available to the media by contacting Barbara Wilson, Director of Marketing and Communications: barbaraw@conservancy.org; or 239-403-4216.

More information about the “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign is available at www.conservancy.org/campaign.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida:

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida began in 1964 when community leaders came together to defeat a proposed “Road to Nowhere” and spearheaded the acquisition and protection of Rookery Bay.

The Conservancy is a grassroots organization focused on the critical environmental issues of the Southwest Florida region. Partnering with like-minded organizations, the Conservancy works to manage growth and protect area waters, land and wildlife. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida promotes sound environmental policies and practices based on solid scientific research while providing environmental education to residents and visitors. The Wildlife Clinic treats more than 2,400 injured, sick and orphaned animals each year and releases about half back into their native habitats.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Conservancy Nature Center are located in Naples, Florida at 1450 Merrihue Drive, off Goodlette-Frank Road at 14^th Avenue North. For information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, call 239-262-0304 or visit http://www.conservancy.org/.