![\"Gordon](\"https:\/\/conservancy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Gordon-B-Eagle-Cartoon.png\" "\\"Gordon")
\n\tThe Diary of Gordon B. Eagle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\tJanuary 13, 2026<\/strong><\/h4>\nBig news has landed at the Conservancy, and my feathers are buzzing! Today, we shared exciting new plans for the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience<\/strong><\/a>, which will become our brand-new public-facing front door. It’s designed to immerse visitors in the science, solutions, and stories behind protecting water, land, and wildlife, and why it all matters to Southwest Florida.\nThere will be a nature-inspired stormwater lake, a welcoming new exhibit-filled welcome center, outdoor decks, trails, electric-boat rides, shaded picnic areas (hello, food truck!), and even solar panels soaking up the sunshine. We also revealed a brand-new logo to mark the start of this public journey.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"John](\"https:\/\/conservancy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/John-and-Carol-Walter-Nature-Experience-Logo-Concept.png\" "\\"John")
\nWhile the Nature Center will close during construction from May 2026 to November 2026, we’re spreading our wings with free off-site programs across the community. The wildlife hospital stays open, memberships are extended, and the big groundbreaking happens April 18, 2026, during our Earth Day Festival<\/a><\/strong>. I’ll be there, front and center!\nStay tuned as I share more updates on the road to opening in early 2028.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Gordon](\"https:\/\/conservancy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Gordon-Diary-Entry-JCWNE-Front-View.png\" "\\"Gordon")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Gordon](\"https:\/\/conservancy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Gordon-Diary-Entry-JCWNE-Ampitheater-View.png\" "\\"Gordon")
\n\tOctober 6, 2025<\/strong><\/h4>\nI met with the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience<\/a> construction team to make sure everything is soaring right along. Our Civil Engineer, Frank Feeney, showed me some of the plans and assured me that all of your suggestions are being taken into consideration!\nHave you given your input on what you would like included in the new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience?<\/strong> If you’ve got a minute, I’m all ears (well…wings)! Scroll to the bottom of the page to fill it out.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Frank](\"https:\/\/conservancy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Frank-and-Gordon.png\" "\\"Frank")
\n\tAugust 30, 2025<\/strong><\/h4>\nAs the Conservancy’s Resident Fun Officer & Jr. Conservationist<\/strong>, my job is to make learning about nature exciting (and maybe sneak in a few high-fives along the way). I’m extra proud to be helping with the big changes coming to the Nature Center with the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience<\/strong><\/a>, right alongside our President & CEO, Rob Moher. Big wings, big dreams!\nBut hey-that’s just a flap of my story. Want to know how a 6-year-old bald eagle became the first feathered staff member at the Conservancy? Read my bio below!\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tView Bio\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPreview\n\t\t\tmodal-\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGordon B. Eagle<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Gordon B. Eagle is a friendly 6-year-old bald eagle who lives at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Gordon came to the Conservancy when he got hurt while learning to fly. He was just a fledgling (a baby eagle) – only 16 weeks old! At first, he was scared, but soon he felt right at home when the Conservancy team of volunteers, staff, and interns took good care of him in the von Arx Wildlife Animal Hospital.<\/p>\n
Once Gordon got better, he asked to stay and help out. Gordon B. Eagle became the first bald eagle staff member at the Conservancy, where he continues to live, work, and have fun.<\/p>\n
Gordon’s Favorites:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Food:<\/strong> He loves to eat invasive species like tilapia, sailfin catfish, small Burmese pythons, and rats. Yum!<\/li>\n
- Job:<\/strong> Gordon helps with walking the gopher tortoises that are recovering in the animal hospital. He loves working with the education team to teach kids and grown-ups about wildlife. He also helps the python team and the sea turtle team with their research and loves to meet new Jr. Conservationist friends.<\/li>\n
- Hobbies:<\/strong> Dancing, giving high-fives, spotting animals from boat rides on the Gordon River like great blue herons, ibises, manatees, and sometimes even raccoons. Gordon loves spending time in the mangroves observing the tides change and all of the wildlife, big and small.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Gordon B. Eagle is a special part of the Conservancy, helping everyone learn about nature and the importance of protecting our wildlife!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Gordon](\"https:\/\/conservancy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gordon-Diary-Entry-Photos.png\" "\\"Gordon")
\n\t
August 19, 2025<\/strong><\/h4>\nBig news is soaring into the Conservancy of Southwest Florida… the Nature Center is getting a huge transformation into the new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience<\/strong><\/a>! From my perch, I’ve overheard plans for interactive exhibits, new spaces for families, and tons of opportunities to learn about water, land, and wildlife. That means more friends to meet, more high-fives to give, and definitely more chances to show off my dance moves. I can’t wait!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Gordon](\"https:\/\/conservancy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Untitled-design-2025-08-19T161741.232.png\" "\\"Gordon")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Ask](\"https:\/\/conservancy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Ask-Gordon-1.png\" "\\"Ask")
\n John & Carol Walter Nature Experience Suggestions<\/h3>\n The John & Carol Walter Nature Experience is excited to incorporate ideas from our community. Tell us the types of exhibits and amenities you hope to see in the new Nature Experience.\n
\nWhile the Nature Center will close during construction from May 2026 to November 2026, we’re spreading our wings with free off-site programs across the community. The wildlife hospital stays open, memberships are extended, and the big groundbreaking happens April 18, 2026, during our Earth Day Festival<\/a><\/strong>. I’ll be there, front and center!\nStay tuned as I share more updates on the road to opening in early 2028.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\tOctober 6, 2025<\/strong><\/h4>\nI met with the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience<\/a> construction team to make sure everything is soaring right along. Our Civil Engineer, Frank Feeney, showed me some of the plans and assured me that all of your suggestions are being taken into consideration!\nHave you given your input on what you would like included in the new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience?<\/strong> If you’ve got a minute, I’m all ears (well…wings)! Scroll to the bottom of the page to fill it out.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\tAugust 30, 2025<\/strong><\/h4>\nAs the Conservancy’s Resident Fun Officer & Jr. Conservationist<\/strong>, my job is to make learning about nature exciting (and maybe sneak in a few high-fives along the way). I’m extra proud to be helping with the big changes coming to the Nature Center with the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience<\/strong><\/a>, right alongside our President & CEO, Rob Moher. Big wings, big dreams!\nBut hey-that’s just a flap of my story. Want to know how a 6-year-old bald eagle became the first feathered staff member at the Conservancy? Read my bio below!\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tView Bio\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPreview\n\t\t\tmodal-\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGordon B. Eagle<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Gordon B. Eagle is a friendly 6-year-old bald eagle who lives at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Gordon came to the Conservancy when he got hurt while learning to fly. He was just a fledgling (a baby eagle) – only 16 weeks old! At first, he was scared, but soon he felt right at home when the Conservancy team of volunteers, staff, and interns took good care of him in the von Arx Wildlife Animal Hospital.<\/p>\n
Once Gordon got better, he asked to stay and help out. Gordon B. Eagle became the first bald eagle staff member at the Conservancy, where he continues to live, work, and have fun.<\/p>\n
Gordon’s Favorites:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Food:<\/strong> He loves to eat invasive species like tilapia, sailfin catfish, small Burmese pythons, and rats. Yum!<\/li>\n
- Job:<\/strong> Gordon helps with walking the gopher tortoises that are recovering in the animal hospital. He loves working with the education team to teach kids and grown-ups about wildlife. He also helps the python team and the sea turtle team with their research and loves to meet new Jr. Conservationist friends.<\/li>\n
- Hobbies:<\/strong> Dancing, giving high-fives, spotting animals from boat rides on the Gordon River like great blue herons, ibises, manatees, and sometimes even raccoons. Gordon loves spending time in the mangroves observing the tides change and all of the wildlife, big and small.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Gordon B. Eagle is a special part of the Conservancy, helping everyone learn about nature and the importance of protecting our wildlife!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t
August 19, 2025<\/strong><\/h4>\nBig news is soaring into the Conservancy of Southwest Florida… the Nature Center is getting a huge transformation into the new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience<\/strong><\/a>! From my perch, I’ve overheard plans for interactive exhibits, new spaces for families, and tons of opportunities to learn about water, land, and wildlife. That means more friends to meet, more high-fives to give, and definitely more chances to show off my dance moves. I can’t wait!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n John & Carol Walter Nature Experience Suggestions<\/h3>\n The John & Carol Walter Nature Experience is excited to incorporate ideas from our community. Tell us the types of exhibits and amenities you hope to see in the new Nature Experience.\n
Gordon B. Eagle<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Gordon B. Eagle is a friendly 6-year-old bald eagle who lives at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Gordon came to the Conservancy when he got hurt while learning to fly. He was just a fledgling (a baby eagle) – only 16 weeks old! At first, he was scared, but soon he felt right at home when the Conservancy team of volunteers, staff, and interns took good care of him in the von Arx Wildlife Animal Hospital.<\/p>\n
Once Gordon got better, he asked to stay and help out. Gordon B. Eagle became the first bald eagle staff member at the Conservancy, where he continues to live, work, and have fun.<\/p>\n
Gordon’s Favorites:<\/strong><\/p>\n Gordon B. Eagle is a special part of the Conservancy, helping everyone learn about nature and the importance of protecting our wildlife!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Big news is soaring into the Conservancy of Southwest Florida… the Nature Center is getting a huge transformation into the new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience<\/strong><\/a>! From my perch, I’ve overheard plans for interactive exhibits, new spaces for families, and tons of opportunities to learn about water, land, and wildlife. That means more friends to meet, more high-fives to give, and definitely more chances to show off my dance moves. I can’t wait!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n
\n\tAugust 19, 2025<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n John & Carol Walter Nature Experience Suggestions<\/h3>\n The John & Carol Walter Nature Experience is excited to incorporate ideas from our community. Tell us the types of exhibits and amenities you hope to see in the new Nature Experience.\n