The Shell Factory and Nature Park

Just a bit over a week ago, Hurricane Ian changed lives throughout SW Florida forever. We are heartbroken by the loss of lives and property across Southwest Florida. The storm ravaged our hearts, homes, and businesses and we will work tirelessly to get fully back up and running soon.

We are so very thankful to report that everyone in Shell Factory and Nature Park family is safe. Thanks to the vigilant efforts of the Nature Park staff, prior to the hurricane, not one of our animals or reptiles were injured or passed.

The Nature Park bore the brunt of the hurricane-force winds. There are many trees that were uprooted, beautiful botanicals that were destroyed, many outbuildings that were demolished and EVERY habitat is in need of repair to make it safe for our over 350 zoo animals.

The Nature Park’s sister 501c3 Not for Profit arm (The Nature Park Environmental Education Foundation) has a mission “To provide a permanent home, nutritious meals, enrichment, daily and veterinary care for our animal, reptile, bird and aquatic inhabitants, and, to motivate our guests to value the presence of all living things (plant and animal) by creating memories and inspiring appreciation of the natural world. We do this through daily visits and through our field trip program with Lee County Schools.” In order to get back up and running, and keep the over 350 animals alive and safe, we will need a lot of repairs and a lot of help.

There are so many requirements to ensure safe care of the critters that call the Nature Park home. Prior to the storm, it would cost roughly $1600.00 per day to feed, supply veterinary care, supplies, maintenance of the habitats and outbuildings, animal care workers, and utilities to keep the Nature Park open.

The Commissary, which is used to refrigerate, freeze, store and prepare food for the 350 plus inhabitants of the park, is destroyed and is a true priority for replacement. The first estimates coming in are roughly $40,000.00. This also requires time and supplies, which are short handed right now, throughout the devastated SW Florida area.

We plan to repair and/or replace the habitats at a steady pace as we can get the funding, supplies and labor to make this happen. This is how YOU CAN HELP…

Any profits we make go right back into the care of these animals, and with our doors shut, there is no incoming financial stream to keep things up and running. Our priority is restoring safe habitats for our animals and making sure they are all fed and healthy. Then we can work on getting the doors open again safely so our guests can once again enjoy the animals and beautiful nature park.

Any donation is helpful and will go right back into repairs of habitats and care of our animals. There are lots of supply, food and labor needs.

Donate $25.00 and you help feed over 5 animals for a day

Donate $100.00 and you help feed 20 animals for a day

Donate $500.00 and you help feed over 50 animals a day and begin the restoration of their habitat structures and natural gardens they need to survive.

ANYTHING HELPS…Please donate today and help us feed the animals and restore our zoo’s habitats so these beautiful helpless animals can once again thrive. Your generosity is so critical to our ability to continue our mission…PLEASE DONATE TODAY. HELP IS NEEDED NOW!

Should you prefer to reach out and help by providing construction supplies to restore the habitats instead of a monetary donation, please reach out to the organizer listed below.

We appreciate you sharing this page and hope to see you at The Shell Factory and Nature Park very soon!