Earlier this year, John and Carol Walter made the largest gift in the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s history: $25 million to create the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, scheduled to open in 2028. The contribution will transform the center into an expansive and immersive facility with new programs, interactive exhibits and educational activities that further the organization’s mission to educate visitors about preservation.
For John, the Gulf’s pristine waters and coastal ecosystems represent something irreplaceable. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone—there’s no getting it back,” John says. “That’s why we need to protect it.”
The Walters started wintering in Southwest Florida more than a decade ago, first in Boca Grande and then in Naples. An acquaintance, recognizing their love for nature, encouraged them to volunteer for the Conservancy, an environmental advocacy nonprofit with a 21-acre campus and nature center that attracts around 30,000 visitors annually. John became a mainstay on the board of directors while Carol helped organize the annual Magic Under the Mangroves fundraiser. “Once you get involved, you just want to keep giving,” Carol says.
The couple has made community engagement a priority wherever they’ve lived. John spent most of his career with Chicago printing company R.R. Donnelley & Sons, eventually rising to chairman and CEO. He served on numerous Chicago boards, including as a trustee with Steppenwolf Theatre and Northwestern University. Carol volunteered with charities championing the arts, supporting underprivileged youth and promoting animal welfare.
Since arriving in Naples, the Walters have embedded themselves locally. They’ve been instrumental in bringing Gulfshore Playhouse’s new theater to fruitionand both serve on the board of trustees for the Naples Children Foundation. Carol also serves on the Sustaining Leadership Council at The Naples Botanical Garden. “We’ve been fortunate in life, so we feel we have a responsibility to give back to our communities,” she says. —J.P.