Boca Raton has two gorgeous nature centers for residents to enjoy. Gumbo Limbo is located by the ocean within city limits, while Daggerwing Nature Center is in West Boca. No matter where you live in Boca, you can enjoy educational and recreational activities highlighting our natural habitat and wildlife.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

Located on North Ocean Boulevard across from the beach, Gumbo Limbo is a 20-acre natural oasis where nearly 200,000 residents and tourists visit each year. It was set up in 1984 to increase public awareness of coastal and marine ecosystems through research, education, preservation, and conservation. It continues to be a unique cooperative project of the City of Boca Raton, Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and Friends of Gumbo Limbo.

Gumbo Limbo sits on a protected barrier island that provides refuge to many varieties of plants and animals (some rare or endangered). There are so many wonderful parts of the center to explore:

Ashley Trail and Butterfly Garden: Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, this serene trail attracts many species of butterflies.

Seminole Chiki: Built using cabbage palm fronds, it serves as an outdoor classroom and is a great place to observe manatees, herons, and juvenile sea turtles.

Boardwalk Trail: This 1/4 mile boardwalk winds through a preserved Hardwood Hammock where you will find native vegetation and animals like grey foxes and woodpeckers.

Nature Center: The indoor Nature Center features several exhibits including the Sea Turtle Garden, a container garden with herbs and local flora, a gopher tortoise exhibit, a butterfly nursery, a sea turtle safe lighting exhibit, a rain barrel, and a solar exhibit. There is also an amazing gift shop filled with environmental keepsakes.

Outdoor Marine Aquarium: There are four saltwater aquariums representing different South Florida marine habitats that house marine life that you can observe close up.

Gumbo Limbo offers many programs and special events throughout the year for all ages.

For More Information:
http://www.gumbolimbo.org
1801 North Ocean Boulevard Boca Raton, FL 33432
phone: (561) 544-8605

Daggerwing Nature Center

Located within the Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park since 1996, Daggerwing Nature Center is surrounded by 40 acres of preserved wetland habitat. It includes a 3,000 sq ft. exhibit hall with live animals and interactive state-of-the-art exhibits, an art gallery, children’s nature book center, a laboratory, and classrooms for wildlife educational programs. Nature classes are provided throughout the month for all ages. There are also daily animal feedings in the afternoon.

Outside the center is an elevated boardwalk with two trails and an observation tower to view the plant and animal life including osprey, woodpeckers, butterflies, endangered wood storks, alligators, and a wide variety of bromeliads. The nature trails are open sunrise to sunset and free for all to enjoy.

For More Information:
Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park
11435 Park Access Road
Boca Raton, FL 33498
http://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Pages/Daggerwing.aspx#.WG_KfPkrIow