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Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, featured on Gulfcoast News, to Host “Pints in the Pines” Benefit on March 7

  • eraddatz7
  • Mar 4
  • 2 min read

Updated: Mar 5


Jason Drew, Diana Giraldo and Eric Raddatz preview the Pints in the Pines event happening March 7 from 6-10 p.m. which willfeature craft beer, live music, local cuisine, planetarium show, games, silent auctions and more! CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Jason Drew, Diana Giraldo and Eric Raddatz preview the Pints in the Pines event happening March 7 from 6-10 p.m. which willfeature craft beer, live music, local cuisine, planetarium show, games, silent auctions and more! CLICK HERE TO WATCH

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 4, 2026) — Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is preparing to host its signature spring fundraiser, Pints in the Pines, on Saturday, March 7, 2026 — an unforgettable evening of craft beer, live music, local cuisine, and stargazing under the Southwest Florida sky.

Set against the scenic backdrop of Calusa’s wooded campus, the event blends entertainment and environmental stewardship to support the center’s wildlife care, conservation initiatives, and environmental education programs serving the Southwest Florida community.


Guests will enjoy:

  • Craft beer tastings from local breweries

  • Delicious food offerings

  • Live musical entertainment

  • A curated silent auction

  • Exclusive after-hours access to the Nature Center grounds

  • A special Planetarium experience


The event was recently featured on Good Morning Gulf Coast, where reporter Jason Drew toured the campus for a preview of the festivities. He was joined by Executive Director Eric Raddatz, who shared how the benefit directly supports Calusa’s mission to nurture a lifelong connection to nature.


Also participating in the segment were Diana Giraldo and Shane Spring, who offered viewers a behind-the-scenes look at event preparations and discussed the importance of supporting one of Southwest Florida’s most beloved nature spaces.


“With craft brews, great food, live music, and the peaceful backdrop of the pines, Pints in the Pines offers a one-of-a-kind way to enjoy the outdoors while giving back,” said Raddatz.


Proceeds from the event benefit Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium’s educational programming, animal care, conservation efforts, and community outreach initiatives.


Event Details:

Pints in the Pines

Saturday, March 7, 20266:00 PM – 10:00 PM

3450 Ortiz AvenueFort Myers, FL 33905

Tickets are available now at: www.calusanature.org


Sponsors

This event is made possible in part by the generous support of:

  • Sanibel Captiva Community Bank

  • J. Fisher Law, PLLC

  • Morris Depew

  • Community Development Reimagined

  • The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers

  • Fort Myers Brewery

  • Swamp Cat Brewery

  • City of Fort Myers


Silent auction items include items from Blu Sushi, Alliance for the Arts, Barbara B. Mann PAH, Broadway Palm, Seminole Casino, Edison Ford Winter Estates, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and more!


For media inquiries, interviews, or sponsorship information, contact:

Eric Raddatz

Executive Director

Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

(239) 275-3435


 
 
 

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3450 Ortiz Ave.

Fort Myers, FL 33905

(239) 275-3435

 

Open Hours:

Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm

Pricing:

Adults $13 

Children $7

Members Free

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© 2026 by CNCP

CALUSA NATURE CENTER AND PLANETARIUM IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION (CH661) AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING WWW.800HELPFLA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. OUR CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. EIN #23-7090889

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