The Conservancy of Southwest Florida operates a 21-acre nature centre on the Gordon River, just north of downtown, where injured and orphaned wildlife is rehabilitated for release back into the wild. Visitors can observe the rehabilitation process through viewing windows, take a guided electric boat tour along the mangrove-fringed river, and walk through a native plant garden. The small natural history museum provides context on the Southwest Florida ecosystem — the edge of the Everglades begins just a few miles east.
This is not a zoo: the animals here are in recovery, not on permanent display. That said, on any given day there may be osprey, river otters, sea turtles, gopher tortoises, or other native species visible in the treatment facilities. The boat tour is the highlight and books up; reserve in advance. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm.