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Travel & Nature Center
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WE HAVE A BUILDING!
The Northwest Florida Environmental Conservancy is pleased to announce that
we have a building for the Chipola Travel and Nature Center!
In December of 2004 the Northwest Florida Environmental
Conservancy (NWFLEC) was founded. The purpose of NWFLEC is to raise public awareness of the incredible natural history
and biodiversity of Northwest Florida and the Gulf Coastal areas of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. The ultimate goal
of NWFLEC is to establish a very unique nature center.
After much hard work and dedication NWFLEC now has
a site and a building to open a travel and nature center!
We are also pleased to announce the support and partnership
of SHS Management and the Oak Station, LLC. SHS Management and the Oak Station, LLC are providing space to NWFLEC
for one year rent-free to open the Chipola Travel and Nature Center!
NWFLEC is being provided with 17,252 square feet of space within
the Oak Station shopping center in Marianna, Florida! The space is located where the old K-mart garden center once
was. This area includes 9,449 sq. ft enclosed space, inside the shopping center; 1,673 sq. ft covered outside
space; and 6,130 sq. ft of fenced area. Based on the large amount of square footage, this space would normally rent
for over $69,008 annually, or over $5,750 monthly!
Center Details
The Center will serve as both a travel and nature center. The
Travel Center will
be free to the public to provide information to visitors on restaurants, merchants,
motels, services, attractions, and outdoor activities, parks and preserves. This
center will also provide an extensive and detailed list and information of outdoor and ecotourism outfitters,
activities, parks, preserves and natural areas of Jackson County and areas within one
hour or so of Marianna. Once the center is established,
it could also offer ecotourism packages throughout Jackson
and nearby counties.
Lastly, such a center will serve as a small
nature center highlighting and displaying the incredible natural history, flora and fauna of this region! The Nature
Center will exhibit live animals and will provide lectures on the outstanding Florida Panhandle, bats, snakes, alligators,
and many more topics! The
nature center will charge a nominal fee to visitors in order to pay employee salaries, and
fund expenses to maintain the animals, exhibits and the building.
(Below) A conceptual photo of the Center.
Critical Aspect!
Before
this plan and agreement can move forward, we have until December 31st, 2007 to raise funding, equipment and
support in order to begin building modifications and construction, and to obtain the proper building permits, licenses, insurance and
bonds. We need at least $50,000 in funds and materials by December 31st, 2007!
This web site provides details of funding, services and materials needed
by our deadline in order to make the Center a reality. More information about SHS Management, Oak Station,
LLC and the Northwest Florida Environmental Conservancy is found at this site or can be obtained through links provided
here.
Center Benefits
Based on 2005 FDOT statistics 14,198,500 vehicles pass the intersection
of I-10 and State Road 71 annually! That’s an average of 38,900 vehicles
a day! Also, Florida Caverns State Park alone receives 90,000 to 150,000 visitors a year! A large percentage of the traffic at I-10 and SR 71 is headed northward into Marianna and towards Florida caverns State Park and passes right by the Oak
Station Shopping Center.
Based on that amount of traffic alone, the center should bring in thousands of visitors a year, in addition to attracting
new and additional tourists to Marianna, Jackson County and nearby areas.
This proposal and center will greatly benefit
Jackson County, its wildlife and natural
areas, students and individuals, and businesses in numerous ways, including the Oak
Station Shopping Center and businesses already located there. These ideas are solid steps in developing successful ecotourism programs and
attractions; and new business and economic sources.
It is vital that the business community, local government and prominent citizens play a lead role in the
economic development and wise protection and preservation of our incredible natural resources.
These resources provide income in numerous ways and attract visitors and tourists.
Jackson County
has an incredible potential for ecotourism development if properly planned and guided.
A new, unique and extraordinary travel and nature center and wisely planned ecotourism business could increase the
number of visitors and tourists to Jackson County.
Such a new center and business could easily generate substantial income once
it’s established and over time.
Get Involved & Help!
We
urge you to please thoroughly review this proposal and seriously consider supporting and helping in these important and beneficial
ideas and efforts! We have an opportunity to be proactive with these ideas, and
not to just be left behind and passed up by individuals and tourists going to other destinations!
Every individual, business
or company and organization who provides support for the Center will be publicly recognized and thanked. We
will also list your name at the Center in appreciation and honor of your support!
We also encourage those who
have expressed interest in joining NWFLEC in the past to please join now! We urge everyone reading this to become
a member of NWFLEC too! NWFLEC members will receive a variety of discounts at the future nature center; and will
have opportunities to get behind the scenes with the exhibits, animals, research and conservation projects and
be involved in activities in more direct ways!
We have a limited time to act and
move on this proposal. Act now and be a part of an idea and a business that has great potential, can provide numerous
benefits and will make a positive difference in Jackson County and nearby areas in so many ways!
Site Table of Contents
Pg. 2 Photos & Floor Plan
Pg. 3 Exhibits & Environmental Education
Pg. 4 Expenses, Needed Materials & Volunteer Services
Pg. 5 Ultimate Center Plans
Pg. 6 Links & Contact Information
Pg. 7 Nature Center Endorsements & Media Coverage
Special Note:
The Northwest Florida Environmental Conservancy is an official, non-profit organization
licensed with the State of Florida. Corporation # N05000003215.
We are
also a Federal, nonprofit and tax-exempt organization (ID# 83-0450964) under IRS
Code Section 501(c)(3). All contributions and donations are tax deductible.
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