Jim Griffith and Mark Nieds Join the Board of Directors of the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

The Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is pleased to announce, with great excitement, the election of Jim Griffith and Mark Nieds to its Board of Directors. Their appointments come at a pivotal moment in the organization’s resurgence, as Calusa continues its remarkable renewal from the brink of closure into a period of renewed strength, growth, and community impact over the last two years.

As the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium builds on this resurgence, the organization is focused on bringing even greater distinction, visibility, and excitement to the families and visitors of Southwest Florida. With renewed momentum, CNCP is advancing a vision for expanded programming, enhanced educational opportunities, and long-term improvements that will strengthen its role as a vital community resource for nature, science, and discovery.

Jim Griffith is the Founder, President, and CEO of Florida Arts, Inc. and the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. A veteran arts executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience in arts administration and community development, Griffith has been instrumental in transforming cultural infrastructure across Southwest Florida, including the resurrection of Downtown Fort Myers. Under his leadership, the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center has become a premier destination for the visual and performing arts, attracting more than 200,000 visitors annually and serving as a cornerstone of downtown Fort Myers’ cultural and economic revitalization.

Mark Nieds is an attorney with Coherence Legal PLLC, where he focuses on intellectual property, trademark, business, franchise, and internet-related legal matters. With more than two decades of experience in intellectual property law, Nieds has advised clients ranging from emerging businesses to established companies, helping them protect, enforce, and strategically develop their brands and creative assets.

“Jim and Mark each bring exceptional experience, leadership, and perspective to Calusa at exactly the right time,” said Eric Raddatz, Executive Director of the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium. “As we continue our resurgence and look toward an exciting future, their guidance will be invaluable in helping us expand our impact, strengthen our programs, and serve the families of this region in meaningful new ways.”

Founded in 1969, the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located on a 105-acre sanctuary in Fort Myers, Florida. The center features butterfly gardens, bird aviaries, nature trails, and the area’s only public planetarium. CNCP provides educational programs focused on environmental awareness and scientific learning, inspiring curiosity and fostering a lifelong appreciation for nature.

For more information, visit www.calusanature.org.

Mark Nieds

Jim Griffith

Eric Raddatz