Frankfurt am Main, February 25, 2026 (bz) | Florida's Paradise Coast is far more than a classic beach destination. Over 80 percent of the region's area is under nature protection. These protected areas include parts of the Everglades, the largest designated wilderness area in the eastern USA. For Earth Day on April 22, it's worth taking a closer look at the region's conservation projects and the opportunities travelers have to actively participate.

The subtropical ecosystem of Southwest Florida is one of the last of its kind worldwide. The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness area in the USA and one of the country's 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is home to over 350 bird species as well as numerous endangered animal and plant species, including the Florida panther and the West Indian manatee. Mangrove coasts, cypress swamps, and the labyrinthine Ten Thousand Islands together form an ecosystem whose protection does not take place in secret, but with and before the eyes of the public.

Citizen Science on the Water: The 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project

One of the most impressive examples of this is the Dolphin Explorer, a guided boat tour from Marco Island that turns visitors into active participants in science. Since its founding in February 2006, the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project has been the only continuous long-term study of wild bottlenose dolphins in Southwest Florida and the only project of its kind in the USA systematically supported by the public. Passengers help locate, count, and identify dolphins based on their dorsal fins, which are as unique as fingerprints. On board, a captain with a doctorate in Cetacean Biology, a marine biologist, and two certified Florida Master Naturalists accompany the tours. In 2025 alone, the project documented 6,438 dolphin sightings, observed the birth of ten calves, and identified 14 grandmothers in the population. As early as 2013, the National Geographic book "100 Places That Can Change Your Child's Life" recognized this unique experience. Those who look for dolphins on the waters of Naples or Marco Island do so here not just as observers, but as co-researchers.

Coastal Protection to Understand: The Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center

Anyone who wants to understand what an estuary is and why mangroves are among the most important coastal protection systems on Earth will find the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center the right starting point. The visitor center of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located amidst nearly 45,000 hectares of mangroves, marshes, and wetlands and translates ongoing research into tangible experiences: an approximately 8,700-liter mangrove aquarium, a touch tank with marine animals, interactive exhibits on climate change and sea-level rise, and regular citizen science projects where visitors are directly involved in data collection. If desired, the center can be combined with a boat tour on the canals of the adjacent nature reserve – an experience that transfers the lesson from the aquarium into living reality.

For over 60 years: The Conservancy of Southwest Florida

While the Rookery Bay Center primarily teaches coastal ecology, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida considers nature conservation within a broader societal framework. Founded in 1964 as a citizen initiative against uncontrolled development, the non-profit organization is dedicated to protecting water, land, and biodiversity in five counties. At the Nature Center in Naples, which is considered a sustainable model building after extensive renovation, visitors can explore interactive exhibits, observe animals in the Wildlife Hospital, where over 3,300 injured or orphaned animals are treated annually, and participate in boat tours through the adjacent protected area. Gopher tortoises, endangered bird species, and the local ecosystem are the focus. Behind all this is an appeal: to understand how human decisions shape ecosystems.

A region that has always been more than just a beach

Whether on the waters of the Ten Thousand Islands, in the visitor center of the Rookery Bay Reserve, or on a boat tour through the Conservancy protected area, Florida's Paradise Coast allows travelers not only to observe nature conservation but also to help shape it. Anyone who has experienced the region in this way understands why Naples is considered home by researchers, volunteers, and locals alike.

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Suitable image material is available for download here. Please note the copyright © Courtesy of Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB, unless otherwise noted.

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About Florida’s Paradise Coast
The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official source for travel and tourism information about Florida's Paradise Coast. This premier vacation and meeting destination in Southwest Florida offers a variety of exceptional opportunities year-round – the elegance of Naples, the charm of Marco Island, and the authentic, rural beauty of Everglades City. With 30 miles of coastline along the Gulf with soft, white sand beaches, visitors enjoy a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere and a variety of accommodations, from luxurious beachfront resorts and upscale boutique hotels to welcoming, family-friendly lodging. The destination is known for its thriving arts and culture scene, exceptional dining, designer boutiques, and eclectic shopping. As a mecca for sports enthusiasts, it is home to over 90 public and private golf courses, the United Soccer League's FC Naples team, and hosts three major PGA and LPGA championship tournaments as well as the US Open Pickleball Championships powered by Margaritaville. Water sports activities abound, from world-class fishing and sailing trips to kayaking, paddling, and airboat rides. The area is also home to the world-famous Everglades – the only subtropical mangrove wilderness in the USA, home to endangered and rare wildlife such as the elusive Florida panther and over 350 bird species. 

On Florida's Paradise Coast, luxurious living meets wildlife. Accolades include being named the “best place to live in the USA,” the “healthiest and happiest city in America,” and “one of the best small towns in the USA.” Florida's Paradise Coast is just two hours from Miami, three hours from Tampa, and four hours from Orlando, and is easily accessible via the Interstate Highway. Travelers from outside the Sunshine State can fly to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Punta Gorda (PGD), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and Miami (MIA). For more information about Florida's Paradise Coast, call 800-688-3600, visit ParadiseCoast.com, X, Instagram, and Facebook.