The Conservancy of Southwest Florida was founded in 1964 by a small group of concerned citizens fighting to protect the beauty and quality of life in the region. Today it has grown to be one of Florida's largest and most respected environmental organizations. The Conservancy is a not-for-profit grassroots organization focused on the critical environmental issues in the Southwest Florida area with a mission to protect the region’s water, land and wildlife. This is accomplished through the combined efforts of environmental education, science, policy and wildlife rehabilitation. The von Arx Wildife Hospital treats over 3,200 injured, sick and orphaned animals each year and releases about half of them back into their native habitats. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and a 21 acre Nature Center is located in Naples, Fla. at 1450 Merrihue Dr., off Goodlette-Frank Road at 14th Avenue North. The new Conservancy Nature Center entrance, Smith Preserve Way, is located just south of the Naples Zoo. Phase one of the $20 million sustainable Nature Center project is complete, leading up to a Grand Reopening Festival in April 2013. For information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, call 239-262-0304 or visit www.conservancy.org.