Found 102 blog entries tagged as Nature.

One of the biggest benefits of living in sunny, Palm Beach County is its natural habitat. We have everything from soft sandy beaches with dunes, to scrub pine forests, to marshes, wide open ocean and estuaries, just to name a few. And with this vast expanse of habitats all in one small spot on the world, the wildlife you can see here is some of the best. 

You can take your kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews out for a day with animals in Jupiter. For those kids out there, that can’t get enough of the marine life we have native to Florida, here are 3 activities you have got to try! 

Sea Turtle Sleepover

The sea turtle sleepover event at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a favorite among kids. It's an exclusive nighttime program that offers a…

1436 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Scuba diving is very popular in South Florida as we have tons of reefs and rocks teaming with life to explore. Here is a list of the most popular diving spots for locals.

Breakers Reef

45-60 feet; two miles of reef with a five to fifteen-foot ledge absolutely packed with fish. Large sea turtles are often seen here with many unusual species of fish including batfish, morays, pancake fish, stargazers, puffer, scorpionfish, and stingrays.

Horseshoe Reef

40-60 feet; this horseshoe-shaped ledge is covered by sponges and sea fans, which attracts huge schools of snapper and other fish, especially during strong currents.

Juno Ledge

65-95 feet; drop-off plummets up to 20 feet as you drift with turtles, sharks, tropicals and schooling fish…

1230 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Jupiter is a cross between Old Florida and the tropics, its native landscapes and colorful reefs make it a great place to live. Here are 5 fun, outdoor things to do in Jupiter.

Explore the Sound

Now is the perfect time to explore through Jupiter Sound. When the ocean temperatures cool, manatees migrate to the warmer waters of the sound. To get up close and personal with these gentle giants, opt for a motor-free water vessel rental from Jupiter Outdoor Center.

Paddle the Loxahatchee

Head to Riverbend Park, which connects to the Everglades along the Loxahatchee River, for a fun day on the water. With low-hanging branches and proximity to wildlife, you will feel like you are paddling the jungle. Make the trip by kayak or stand-up paddleboard,…

1003 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Every Tuesday and Thursday the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach hosts a fish-feeding program for kids! This free program takes place at the Mangrove exhibit, which displays the habitats of Florida’s coastal ecosystems.

This is a great event for kids looking to learn about local plants and wildlife. Attendants will see a live feeding and listen to a guide explain the marinelife. This hands on event is a great way for kids to experience some of the more interesting aspects of biology and science, there are few things more important in a child’s education than teaching him or her that learning can be fun and interesting. The fish feeding at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a big step in that direction.

When: Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00pm.…

1381 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Riverbend Park is a 680-acre preserve in Jupiter that offers an ideal destination for hikers and others who want to experience South Florida nature and wildlife. With more than 15 miles of interconnected trails and roads, there is always a lot to do in Riverbend Park.

Riverbend’s hiking trails include signage and kiosks make it nearly impossible to get lost. It’s nature, tamed, making it accessible to city dwellers who’d otherwise never take a hike. There’s a lot to do in Riverbend Park, here are just a few of the things that you might enjoy.

Hiking

Your hike starts at the entrance kiosk, which is topped with chickee thatch. It’s a theme you’ll see reflected throughout the park—lots of chickee thatch kiosks, plenty of signs, and big chickee…

1171 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Florida National Scenic Trail, or simply the "Florida Trail," runs through 1,300 miles ranging from the Big Cypress Preserve to the Gulf Islands. It's one of Florida's largest protected natural areas.

If you love hiking and live in South Florida, you’ve got to check out the Florida Trail especially now that it’s added a new section Cimarron, which extends west of State Road 85 in Crestview. This new path is 8.9 miles and dead-ends at the Yellow River. If you’re into wading through shallow waters, bushwhacking your way through trees and relaxing in a hammock at the end of it all, this is a trip for you.

The Florida Trail is a great way to experience South Florida’s ecosystem in all its glory. Kids will love it, and so will you!

Click here for…

798 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Year-round access to the beautiful, South Florida outdoors is one of the greatest things about living in Palm Beach County. Here are a few natural parks that you and your family can enjoy and explore.

Green Cay

Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands overlooks 100 acres of constructed wetland from a 1 1/2-mile boardwalk trail. Shimmering water is everywhere since the area is filled with natural ponds, examples of hammock swamp and ages-old cypress swamp. This quick visit will bring you close to egret and bunting during bird season, and a nature center will entertain and educate the entire family about the natural treasures to be found in the wetlands.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Delray Beach is a town of diverse attractions and things to do. A…

1189 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Hog Hammock Trail is one of West Palm Beach's newest trails, it is composed of crushed concrete and has lots of intermittent boardwalks. The area is a combination of restored and natural wetland communities including cabbage palm hammocks, mesic pine flatwoods, forested wetlands and cypress domes. Restrooms and water is available in the parking lot. The trail is perfect for a leisurely hike.

After walking or jogging the Hammock Trail you may want to head over to the Cypress Boardwalk which is about one mile away. Cypress is a mile-long boardwalk extending through marsh and cypress swamp. The boardwalk has lots of opportunities for viewing Florida’s flora and fauna. You can also stop by the Nature Center to speak with a naturalist or sign up for a…

1460 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

The Juno Dunes Natural Area is a 569-acre preserve features miles of trails for biking and hiking, oceanfront tract facilities for easy beach access, boat slips on the Intracoastal Waterway, picnic tables, restrooms and a kiosk with informational brochures and maps.

Juno Dunes

The Juno Dunes Natural Area is a perfect place to experience the diversity of South Florida’s ecosystem in a single location. You and your family can take a leisurely stroll, relaxing bike ride or a fast-paced hike through any of the pristine natural trails.

This natural preserve is home to 12 unique, native ecosystems: beach dune, coastal strand, maritime hammock, hydric hammock, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, xeric hammock, mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, basin marsh,…

1625 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

A network of paved paths and hardpacked limestone natural walkways wind through 90 acres of pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, and dense palm hammocks behind the Okeeheelee Nature Center at popular Okeeheelee Park.

At the Okeeheelee Nature Center you can enjoy birding and wildlife watching at a variety of pond overlooks on a gentle stroll through habitats once common throughout this highly populated area just west of West Palm Beach.

The park has a massive green space with many miles of paved walking trails around former rock pits that create large ponds. These trails are separate from the ones around the park itself; you must access them from the nature center area. Along the trail system, several overlooks provide scenic views over ponds and into a…

909 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post