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Don't Miss Friendly Forest This Weekend Sept. 19 & 20

eraddatz7
Sep 16
3 min read


FRIENDLY FOREST WELCOMES FALL TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Saturday & Sunday, September 19–20 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.


Friendly Forest Fall Festival is Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium’s family-friendly welcome to fall, bringing a touch of autumn to the Southwest Florida preserve.


Families can spend the day exploring a pumpkin patch, taking fall photos, playing games, completing scavenger hunts and crafts, bouncing in the bounce house, meeting Calusa’s animal residents and enjoying Planetarium shows.


The two-day celebration combines traditional fall fun with the nature, wildlife and educational experiences that make Calusa unique.


Admission: $13 adults | $7 children





COMING UP: HAUNTED WALK RETURNS: FACE YOUR FEARS

Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings, October 9–31 | 7:30–10:30 p.m.

When darkness falls, Calusa becomes an entirely different place.


Haunted Walk: Face Your Fears returns this October, transforming Calusa’s nighttime trails into an immersive outdoor Halloween experience.


Haunted Walk is also one of Calusa’s important annual fundraisers, with proceeds helping provide the food, veterinary care, habitats and other resources necessary to care for the Nature Center’s resident animals throughout the year.


Haunted Walk takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday beginning October 9 and continues through Halloween night, October 31.


Advance Tickets: $20 At the Door: $25


For those who can’t get enough fear, Calusa is also offering the Ultimate Fear Pass for $100, providing unlimited Haunted Walk admission throughout the season and skip-the-line access.


MORE HAPPENING AT CALUSA

The fall events are just the beginning of a growing calendar of experiences at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium.


Homeschool: Cryptozoology — October 1, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.Students use science and imagination to investigate Florida legends including the Skunk Ape, Wampus cat, mermaids and other mysterious cryptids.

Homeschool: Geology Rocks — November 5, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.A hands-on exploration of rocks, minerals and geology, with each student taking home a small rock and mineral collection.

Homeschool: Wilderness Survival — December 3, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.Students learn outdoor safety and basic survival skills, including finding water and shelter, signaling for help, identifying useful plants and assembling simple survival and first-aid kits.

Pints in the Pines — February 6, 2027, 6–10 p.m.An evening under the stars benefiting Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, featuring craft beverages, local food, live music, moonlit nature, socializing and a special Planetarium experience.




PLANETARIUM EXPERIENCES

Calusa’s Planetarium continues to offer unique immersive experiences throughout the season.

Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon combines the legendary album with immersive 360-degree visuals and surround sound inside the Planetarium dome.

Beautifica, presented on select evenings, takes audiences on a spectacular 360-degree journey through real and imagined worlds, from extraordinary particle fields to fantastic immersive environments.


INVESTING IN CALUSA’S FUTURE

Calusa is also moving forward with important efforts to preserve and improve its 105-acre sanctuary.


Funding included in Florida’s state budget will support Calusa’s boardwalk restoration project, helping protect and enhance access to the Nature Center for future generations.


Through its ongoing Nurture Nature Campaign, Calusa is raising support for educational outreach, animal care, infrastructure improvements, boardwalk restoration, facilities and an enhanced visitor experience.


The community can support this work by donating, volunteering or becoming a Calusa member.

Membership includes year-round admission to Calusa’s trails, Planetarium shows and live animal talks; discounts on programs and purchases; and free or discounted admission to more than 180 participating nature centers nationwide through the Association of Nature Center Administrators Reciprocal Program.


EXPERIENCE CALUSA

Founded in 1969, Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is a nonprofit environmental education organization encompassing a 105-acre sanctuary in Fort Myers. Through its trails, wildlife, educational programs, Natural History Museum, Planetarium and community events, Calusa works to inspire people of all ages to connect with nature.


This fall, whether families are searching for pumpkins and wildlife during Friendly Forest or preparing to face their fears after dark during Haunted Walk, Calusa is inviting Southwest Florida to get outside, explore and experience the Nature Center in an entirely new way.



MEDIA CONTACT

Eric Raddatz eraddatz@calusanature.org 239-275-3435

Calusa Nature Center & PlanetariumFort Myers, Florida



 
 
 

25 Comments


Mars Pham
Mars Pham
16 hours ago

H19 tình cờ xuất hiện trước mắt mình khi đang xem một bài tổng hợp về các sản phẩm và xu hướng công nghệ. Mình vốn chỉ đọc phần nội dung chính, nhưng thấy cái tên này được nhắc ở một đoạn liên quan nên tiện tay mở thử. Trang bên trong khá gọn, phần đầu không bị dồn quá nhiều thông tin nên nhìn qua tương đối dễ chịu. Mình kéo xuống xem vài khu vực, thấy tiêu đề được phân biệt rõ và các khối nội dung có khoảng cách hợp lý. Không tìm hiểu sâu nhưng cách trình bày ban đầu khá trực quan.

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Victoria Oven
a day ago

Nice post with useful details and a clear presentation. It’s refreshing to find simple activities that can help improve focus and mouse coordination. If you enjoy testing your clicking ability, explore click per second test. The activity is easy to understand and can be repeated whenever you want to compare your current performance with an earlier result.

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Tara Doridy
Tara Doridy
2 days ago

Having had a look at the site, a pumpkin patch, animal talks and planetarium shows for seven quid a kid is hard to argue with. What I'd actually go for is the Haunted Walk in October, mainly because the proceeds go on feeding and vet care for the resident animals. The Cryptozoology homeschool day with the Skunk Ape sounds like a laugh too.

Like

thaotran.hero58
2 days ago

Some articles compel me to slow down because the subject matter is rather sensitive, and content regarding the grief of losing a pet is one such instance. Previously, I had encountered the topic LV88 of reward-based card games—often associated with leisure and passing the time. Placing these two subjects side by side, I realize that each situation calls for a distinct approach. The section discussing how to cherish memories and allow oneself to grieve is written with great restraint, avoiding the trap of offering hollow words of encouragement.

Like

Mars Pham
Mars Pham
2 days ago

trang chủ xx88 được mình bắt gặp khá ngẫu nhiên lúc đang xem một album ảnh về Đà Lạt rồi đọc thêm phần thông tin đi kèm. Một đường dẫn có tên này xuất hiện nên mình mở sang tab mới cho biết, chứ trước đó không chủ động tìm. Mình chỉ xem một vòng, kéo qua vài mục để nhìn cách nội dung được trình bày. Các phần chính được tách tương đối rõ, hình ảnh đặt khá nổi bật nhưng không làm phần chữ bị chìm. Thử lướt trên điện thoại cũng khá thuận tay, không phải phóng to thu nhỏ liên tục.

Edited
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3450 Ortiz Ave.

Fort Myers, FL 33905

(239) 275-3435

 

Open Hours:

Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm

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Pricing:

Adults $13 

Children $7

Members Free

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© 2026 by CNCP

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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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