Walter family gives $25 million to the Conservancy of SWFL, nature center to be redone

Fort Myers News-Press

A Naples family has donated millions to a local environmental group that’s been a part of the local community since 1964.

John and Carol Walter gifted a $25 million grant to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida recently, enough to completely redo the organization’s nature center while also funding key work in the future.

“It’s the largest gift in our history and is one of the larger gifts in our community,” said Rob Moher, president and CEO of the Conservancy. “It’s a magnificent gift, particularly for a conservation organization. It’s probably unheard of, but it’s actually a grant and it comes down to their generosity and their family’s feeling to support our community and our mission. This was a family decision, a generational decision to leave a legacy.”

John Walter served on the Conservancy board of director for years.

“Making a commitment like this is putting a lot of trust into our vision,” Moher said. “I felt very proud and I look forward to executing this over the next five years.”

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.