Checklist for a Successful Visit GENERAL ITEMS: Reserve your scheduled visit Send in your deposit and pay the balance on the date of the field trip Arrange transportation; coordinate your arrival and departure times with the bus driver and the Park Naturalist Recruit chaperones Arrange for lunch pavilions (not available at all sites, call for reservation) Contact the Park Naturalist with your final group number seven days prior to your visit Review behavior expectations with students and chaperones Give your bus driver directions Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled program Programs and activities are subject to modification at the discretion of park staff and/or group leaders Park Specific Items ANNE KOLB NATURE CENTER There are picnic tables to accommodate small groups at the nature center and an outdoor amphitheater for large groups. Large groups often prefer to picnic at West Lake Park, a short drive from the nature center. Staff will assist you with your lunch or snack plans. DEERFIELD ISLAND PARK The park is wheelchair-accessible at high tides only. Please call the park office for the tide schedule. NORTH DISTRICT NATURAL AREAS Restroom and picnic facilities are available at Hillsboro Pineland and Tall Cypress natural areas. Both sites have small outdoor amphitheaters, and Tall Cypress has a picnic area. SECRET WOODS NATURE CENTER There are no outdoor picnic facilities at this site. SOUTHEAST DISTRICT NATURAL AREAS Southeast District Natural Areas include Miramar Pineland and Snake Warrior s Island. Call the Anne Kolb Nature Center (954-926-2480) for site-specific items. SOUTHWEST DISTRICT NATURAL AREAS Southwest District Natural Areas include Pine Island Ridge and Long Key. Some programs may also be offered at Markham Park and C.B. Smith Park. Call the Southwest District Naturalist (954-370-3755) for information. TREE TOPS PARK Restroom and picnic facilities area available. This site offers wheelchair-accessible tours. 1
Broward County Parks and Recreation Division Broward County parks and nature centers are excellent places to explore the wonders of nature and the history of Florida. Each nature center/park offers an array of quality environmental education programs to broaden your students science horizons. The distinctive habitats of pinelands, hammocks, mangroves, swamps, and wetlands provide many opportunities for hands-on environmental education and nature adventures. Educational Philosophy Broward County Parks and Recreation Division offers a variety of environmental education programs suitable to a wide range of age and ability levels. On these field trips, students will gain an awareness of our fragile natural areas and the plants and animals sharing our South Florida environment. Through a variety of interactive and hands-on experiences, students will obtain knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of nature and the role history has played in forming our community. Broward County Parks and Recreation Division excels at incorporating grade-specific curriculum objectives into many of these exciting field trips. Find a program that fits your curriculum needs and join us for the adventure. General Information Broward County Parks and Recreation website: www.broward.org/parks. RESERVATIONS Dates fill up quickly so schedule field trips well in advance of your visit. Please call the park/nature center of your choice between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to make a reservation. Check individual park/nature center program listings for scheduled offerings. The phone numbers can be found elsewhere in this guide. CONFIRMATION A deposit is required in order to confirm your reservation and must be received no later than 14 days prior to your program. The amount of the deposit is based on the size of your group and the deposit will be applied to the final cost of the program. A letter of confirmation, program reservation form, and park/ nature information will be sent to your group for documentation, cost, and demographic data collection. The balance of the cost for the program is payable on the date of the field trip. CANCELLATIONS Please telephone immediately to cancel a field trip. Division guidelines require a person authorized to initiate the environmental education program reservation to provide Broward County Parks and Recreation Division with a written letter of cancellation no later than 14 days prior to the date of the field trip reservation, either to request a refund of the reservation deposit or to reschedule the field trip. This will enable us to offer a field trip to another group on our waiting list. Please allow six to eight weeks to receive a refund. GROUP SIZE AND CHAPERONES There is a minimum of 15 participants (except at the Anne Kolb and Secret Woods nature centers). The maximum is stated for each program. We require that there be at least one adult for every 10 students ages 6 and over. One chaperone for every 10 students, ages 6 and up, receives complimentary admission. For children ages 5 and younger, one adult for every four students is required. The chaperones, not the instructors, are responsible for the conduct, discipline, and safety of their group. 2
TOUR LENGTH AND FEE Most sites offer programs for a fee per instructional hour per student. Some special programs include additional costs for materials, environmental boat tours, and exhibit hall tours. To ensure that your students receive a full tour, please arrive on time. Please notify us immediately if there will be a delay in arrival time. DRESS Participants will be outside, so have them dress appropriately for the weather. Closed-toe shoes are required. Shorts, pants, old shoes, and play clothes are recommended because the students will be hiking and may get dirty during some of the activities. Make sure students have sun protection, water, hats, and insect repellent if necessary. We also request that each participant have a securely attached name tag to increase interaction between instructors and participants. INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Our park staff will make every effort to meet your group s program needs. When making a reservation for your program, please inform park staff of any special needs or considerations. Requests for auxiliary aids for communication must be made at the time of your reservation. PICNICS Shelters and picnic tables are available at most sites on a first-come, first-served basis. Shelter reservations are available for a fee. Check with the park of your choice for more information. Bring your own lunches and drinks. Some sites have soda machines available. Restrooms and drinking fountains are located in park buildings and pavilions. Note that all feeding of animals is prohibited. Please keep our parks clean and litter-free for other visitors and park wildlife. Nature Center Manners BE GENTLE AND QUIET Explore Broward County s nature centers and parks, but respect nature s serenity. Loud noises keep animals in hiding and reduce your chance of seeing them. Be mindful of other hikers so that all can have an enjoyable experience. BE KIND TO ANIMALS Harassing animal wildlife is against the law and can harm the animals. Feeding of wildlife encourages their dependence on humans, provides poor nutrition, and can increase your chance of being bitten. Let s just watch them and learn how they live in their habitat. BE KIND TO PLANTS Plants need their leaves to make food and their flowers to produce seeds. Please do not pick our plants. Leave them for the butterflies, birds, insects, and other people to enjoy. STAY ON THE TRAIL For your own comfort and safety, stay on trails and boardwalks. Trails protect the natural environment, increase your safe passage in the woods, and reduce your chance of encountering poisonous plants. 3
Anne Kolb Nature Center 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood 954-926-2480 Opened in 1996 and named after the late county commissioner and environmentalist Anne Kolb, the nature center is part of West Lake Park, a 1,500+ acre coastal mangrove wetland that is home to an abundance of plants and animals, including threatened and endangered species. The complex features a five-level observation tower, picnic areas, a fishing pier, nature trails, an outdoor amphitheater, and a rental hall. An exhibit hall features nature displays, a 3,500-gallon aquarium, and a 10-minute video presentation. Narrated 40-minute environmental boat tours are available on a 35-foot shaded boat with a 25-passenger capacity. Group canoe and kayak rentals and lessons are available with advanced reservations for ages 13 and above. Special accommodations for groups of more than 100 total participants are available with advance notice. Grade levels can be accommodated over several days. Program Descriptions *Programs marked with asterisks meet specific curriculum objectives for the grades indicated. *MANGROVE MASTERPIECE (Kindergarten-Fifth Grades) The plants and animals of the mangrove estuary will be explored in this three-part program. Students will board a U.S. Coast Guard-inspected, 25-passenger-covered boat for a narrated tour of the tidal creeks and open waters of West Lake. (This is a Broward County School Board approved water-related field trip). A guided tour of the nature center s exhibit hall uses video, interactive and static displays, aquariums and hands-on demonstrations to introduce students to the mangrove s ecosystem. Grade-specific concepts and objectives will be highlighted during your choice of three naturalist-led trail tours. 1. MASTERFUL MANGROVES (Kindergarten-Third Grades) Focuses on the importance of mangrove trees to wildlife and people. Three hours. 10-90 students. Maximum 100 total participants, students, and chaperones. 2. SHELLS AND CLAWS (Kindergarten-Third Grades) Investigates the many mollusks and crustaceans thriving in mangrove habitats. Three hours. 10-90 students. Maximum 100 total participants, students, and chaperones. 3. MANGROVE CAFÉ (Fourth-Fifth Grades) Explores species diversity, energy flow, and the connectedness among living things observed in the mangrove ecosystem. Three hours. 10-90 students. Maximum 100 total participants, students, and chaperones. 4
Anne Kolb Nature Center Continued MANGROVE MASTERPIECE (Sixth-12 th Grades) West Lake Park preserves a 1,500+acre coastal mangrove estuary. This field trip provides your students with an opportunity to experience the physical conditions and biological resources of this ecosystem. Shifting tides and fluctuating salinities create a variable environment. Nutrient-rich water and protection from wave action and predators, however, create a haven for wildlife. A narrated boat tour, a guided exhibit hall tour, and a naturalist-led trail tour are components of this program. Salinity will be measured, turbidity gauged, and crab pots and minnow traps surveyed. Three hours. 10-90 students. Maximum 100 total participants, students, and chaperones. SUN, SAND, SALT AND SURF (Second-12 th Grades) The fringe of land where the ocean meets the shore is a constantly changing environment. The beach and dunes respond daily to winds, waves, tides, currents, and storms. Only hardy plants and animals can endure the harsh combination of surf, sand, salt, and sun. Human actions also threaten the survival of our coastal flora and fauna. This field study will begin at Anne Kolb with an age-appropriate introduction. Your bus will then transport students to Hollywood North Beach Park, a half-mile away. There the students will experience the physical forces of this coastal environment. Note: Tidedependent scheduling limits available dates. Three hours. 10-35 students. Seek the Unique *PLANKTON-A-PLENTY (Kindergarten-12 th Grades) Discover some of West Lake s smallest flora and fauna: marine plankton, microscopic organisms crucial to the estuary and ocean s food chain. Collect plankton on a trail hike, learn about planktivores (plankton eaters), and marvel at strange creatures under the microscope. Includes a narrated boat tour and a guided exhibit hall tour. Three hours. 10-90 students. Maximum 100 total participants, students, and chaperones. TIDAL FIELD STUDY (Fourth-12th Grades) Tides are the rhythm of life in a mangrove estuary. This program includes a narrated boat tour and a guided exhibit hall tour, as well as a participatory field study. Students will be involved in seining, collecting plankton, and sampling sediments. Come prepared for an exciting outdoor experience and wet, muddy conditions. Note: Tide-dependent scheduling limits available dates. Four hours. 10-35 students. 5
Deerfield Island Park 1720 Deerfield Island Park, Deerfield Beach 954-360-1320 Deerfield Island Park is a 56-acre island park bordered by the Intracoastal Waterway and the Hillsboro and Royal Palm canals. Often referred to as Capone Island, the park was designated an Urban Wilderness Area by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners in 1982. Once a freshwater wetland strewn with pines and pond apple trees, it has evolved into a heavily wooded, coastal strand community. The park features an 8.5-acre mangrove swamp, two primitive nature trails, a picnic area, and an overlook onto the Intracoastal Waterway. The park provides a critical habitat for the gopher tortoise and a feeding and roosting place for many migratory, shore, and wading birds. Deerfield Island Park is located in the city of Deerfield Beach and is accessible only by boat. Please allow 45 minutes for boat transportation to the park. Large groups may require extra time for transportation. Program Descriptions *Programs marked with asterisks meet specific curriculum objectives for the grades indicated. ISLAND SAFARI (Kindergarten-12 th Grades) Let s discover the many different kinds of plants and animals on Deerfield Island. During this guided nature walk, students will discover the Florida state tree and learn about keystone species. Other Florida state symbols will be discussed. Maximum 30 students. *MANNY THE MANATEE (Second Grade) Students will learn about the problems affecting plants and animals in the modern environment. During this program, students will learn about manatees and suggest possible solutions for their problems. Maximum 30 students. *DESIGNER PLANTS (Third Grade) Students will learn how plants adapt to different environments. They will examine various native and exotic plants on the island and construct an imaginary plant adapted to survive in a special environment. Maximum 30 students. FRESH TO SALTY (Kindergarten-12 th Grades ) One hundred years ago this area was a freshwater ecosystem. Students will search for evidence and explore the changes from a freshwater to saltwater habitat as we compare and contrast plant and animal species. Maximum 30 students. Seek the Unique ALL ABOUT ISLANDS (Second Grade) Forty years ago, Deerfield Island was surrounded by water on only three sides. During this program, students will learn about peninsula and island landforms and how Deerfield Island became an island. Maximum 30 students. 6
Fern Forest Nature Center 201 Lyons Rd. South, Coconut Creek 954-970-0150 In 1978, the citizens of Broward County voted in favor of a bond issue for land acquisition and development of parks. Included in this was the purchase of the site now known as Fern Forest. The park is dedicated to the preservation of the natural environment and to the enjoyment and education of its visitors. Consisting of 243 acres of wilderness within cosmopolitan Broward County, the site is a beautiful and diverse natural area. It encompasses 10 plant communities, including a tropical hardwood hammock, an open prairie, and a cypress-maple swamp. The last remnant of the historical Cypress Creek floodway can be seen, as well as distinctive geological features. The nature center is a significant refuge for wildlife in our highly urbanized area. Program Descriptions *Programs marked with asterisks meet specific curriculum objectives for the grades indicated. *LIVING AND NONLIVING (Kindergarten-First Grades) Meet Fern Lady and Rachel Raccoon in a puppet show that explains how to tell what s living and what s nonliving. Through hands-on outdoor activities students explore soil creatures and pond life. A trail walk through the forest helps reinforce the relationships between living and nonliving things in the natural environment. *INSECT MAGIC (First-Second Grades) Hands-on explorations help students discover the fascinating realm of the most common animals on earth and their kin. Learn about the many amazing adaptations and variations of insects and spiders, while discovering our unrecognized dependence on them as members of the food chain. A trail walk will provide an opportunity for an up-close and personal look at these small but important critters. *A CIRCLE OF LIFE (Second-Fourth Grades) Students discover through activities, games, and exploration how plants and animals interrelate with one another and their habitat. On a trail walk we will identify different habitats and talk about the animals that live there, the threats to their survival, and what an endangered species is. *EXPLORING FLORIDA S WETLANDS (Fourth-Fifth Grades) Students review the water cycle and discuss the importance of wetlands and how they are affected by humans, especially here in Florida. Hands-on exploration and a game highlight the distinctive features of wetland natural areas and their inhabitants, followed by a hike through a bald cypress swamp. 7
Fern Forest Nature Center Continued CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY WORKSHOP (Middle-High School) Students become land-use planners in this simulation, which assembles different interest groups to develop land-use plans for a natural area due to be developed. The fun begins when each group must try to convince a commission to approve its plan over those of the others. A trail walk will help students get the necessary information regarding plant and animal species and the South Florida environment before their jobs begin. DISCOVER FERN FOREST (Kindergarten-12 th Grades) An interactive overview of Fern Forest who, what, when, where, and why emphasizing our distinctive habitats and the animals that occupy them. The most commonly asked questions will be addressed, including what to expect to see out on the trails. Plant and animal adaptations will be discussed, with an emphasis on reptiles, allowing the program to end with the introduction of the endangered eastern indigo snake. Following the program, groups will be encouraged to walk our trails to see firsthand what Fern Forest is all about. Trail guides are available for nominal fee. Maximum 120 students. FERN FOREST HABITAT SURVEY (Middle School) A hands-on overview of the diversity of habitats found at Fern Forest. Participants will explore the unique areas of the park through a guided nature walk. An inventory of the animals will be conducted through observations, dip netting, and insect collecting. GUIDED NATURE WALKS (Kindergarten-12 th Grades) Guided nature walks with specific themes are available. The theme will be discussed when you make your reservation. Examples: birds, butterflies, edible and poisonous plants, plant identification, and fern identification. Maximum 40 students. Seek the Unique CYPRESS CREEK WETLANDS STUDY (Middle-High School) Students will be involved in a field-oriented study of one of Broward s only remaining cypress/maple swamp communities. Basic field sampling and collecting techniques will be learned, enabling students to assess water quality, compile a biotic index, and test a simple hypothesis. Students must wear covered shoes with socks that can get muddy. We also suggest that they bring a beverage, a towel, and a change of shoes and socks. Maximum 30 students. 8
North District Natural Areas 954-698-1200 A. CRYSTAL LAKE SAND PINE SCRUB 3299 N.E. Third Ave., Pompano Beach Located in Unincorporated Broward County, the Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub is a 22-acre natural area site situated atop an ancient sand dune, containing the oldest and most environmentally sensitive plant community in Florida. Opened in 2002, this natural area provides students with a unique opportunity to study its desert-like habitat and its inhabitants in an outdoor setting. Amenities include a half-mile nature trail along a concrete walkway and foot trail, interpretive signs, and a covered shelter. Restroom facilities are not available. B. HILLSBORO PINELAND NATURAL AREA 5991 N.W. 74 th Pl., Coconut Creek Located in Coconut Creek, this 44-acre site is characterized by pine flatwoods and surface-rock outcroppings common to this part of Broward County. Intermixed in the flatwoods are cypress, saw palmetto, and open prairie wetlands accentuated by an abundance of wildflowers. Open to the public in 2004, amenities include a small building with restroom facilities and an office, an outdoor classroom, and two nature trails the Pineland Trail (1,000 ft.) and the Prairie Trail (700 ft.) with interpretive signs and seating areas. C. TALL CYPRESS NATURAL AREA 3700 Turtle Run Blvd., Coral Springs Located in Coral Springs, the Tall Cypress Natural Area represents one of the largest remaining stands of cypress basin swamp and pine flatwoods in Broward County. Purchased in 1989, Tall Cypress encompasses 66 acres of cypress wetland, pine flatwoods, and marsh vegetative communities. Amenities include a small building with restroom facilities and an office, an outdoor classroom, and covered seating areas along the half-mile nature trail. D. WOODMONT NATURAL AREA N.W. 80 th Ave. & N.W. 75 th St., Tamarac Located in Tamarac, Woodmont Natural Area is a 21.6-acre remnant of an extensive pine flatwoods and cypress basin swamp that once dominated the area. Originally planned for residential development, the site was preserved and opened to the public in August 1999. Although relatively small in size, Woodmont is home to an interesting variety of birds, butterflies, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Amenities include a parking area, a combination concrete and elevated boardwalk trail, interpretive signage, four seating areas, and a bike rack. Restroom facilities are not available. 9
North District Natural Areas Continued Program Descriptions *Programs marked with asterisks meet specific curriculum objectives for the grades indicated. SECRETS OF THE SCRUB (Second -Fifth Grades) Discover the secrets of the Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub. Students will learn about the unique plant and animal adaptations that allow life to survive in this harsh desert-like environment. In this rare and endangered habitat, students will discover the secrets of the scrub species found in this ecosystem through hands-on outdoor activities and field study. Maximum 40 students. DISCOVERING FLORIDA SCRUB (Sixth-Eighth Grades) Students will participate in a field study of a sand pine scrub plant community with an emphasis on the threats and destruction of the most rare and oldest plant community in Florida and what makes it so unique. Maximum 40 students. * PINELAND MAGIC (Second-Fifth Grades) Explore one of Coconut Creek s last remaining natural habitats. This program offers students a detailed look into a pine flatwoods community, including the interrelationships of the native plants and wildlife using games, role-playing, and hands-on activities. The Pineland Magic program highlights the causes and effects of habitat destruction as well as what can be done to help prevent the loss of this wonderful, but threatened plant community. Held at the Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area. *LIVING OR NONLIVING (Kindergarten-First Grades) Students will visit with forest creatures that introduce them to some of the living and nonliving things that are located in The Tall Cypress Natural Area. Through a guided trail walk and outdoor activities, students will discover what creatures live in the water and soil of Tall Cypress Natural Area and what makes something living or not. Maximum 40 students. INSECTS AROUND US (First-Third Grades) Come and discover the wonderful world of insects living in the Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area. Students will learn the importance of insects and the role they play in the circle of life, followed by an insect hunt in the soil and water for a closer look. Included is a trail walk to identify and study native butterflies and their life cycle. 10
North District Natural Areas Continued *HABITAT DETECTIVES (Second-Fourth Grades) Students will explore a native habitat of Florida while learning about the four components that comprise a habitat, and the plants and wildlife living there. Through hands-on activities, role-playing, and games, students will identify specific food chains/food webs of either a wetland or a pineland habitat. Focus is placed on the interdependence of the species that comprise these food chains and what happens when one link of the circle of life is broken. Held at the Tall Cypress Natural Area. PROJECT WETLANDS (Middle-High School) Students will participate in a hands-on experimental field study of a cypress wetland. A discussion of wetland ecology followed by an outdoor project will help students determine the function, role, values, wildlife, and plant species of the wetlands of the Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area. A role-playing activity will allow students to conduct a debate on current issues affecting the wetlands of Florida. Students should bring a change of clothing and an extra pair of shoes that can get wet and muddy. EXPLORE TALL CYPRESS (Kindergarten-12 th Grades) Discover Tall Cypress, its natural history, and the wildlife and plants that inhabit this natural area. Students are then off on a scavenger hunt through the site to find all the special things that make up Tall Cypress Natural Area. A question-and-answer session will follow the hunt. Maximum 40 students. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (High School) Students will participate in habitat restoration projects to help replace exotic plant species with native vegetation and gain hands-on understanding of habitat restoration. The planting of native species will follow the removal of the exotic species. Various North District Natural Area Sites. Call for site availability. Free with the completion of a 1.5-hour work project. Maximum 40 students. GUIDED NATURE WALKS (Kindergarten-12 th Grades) Guided nature walks with specific themes are offered at various North District Natural Area Sites. Call for availability. Maximum 40 students. 11
Secret Woods Nature Center 2701 W. State Rd. 84, Dania Beach 954-791-1030 Secret Woods Nature Center, an educational and passive public recreation area acquired with the assistance of the Nature Conservancy, was Broward s first interpretive nature center. The 56 acres of Secret Woods, a Designated Urban Wilderness Area, encompasses three vegetative communities: cypress-maple wetland, laurel oak hammock, and pond apple-mangrove wetland. The site is influenced by the New River, and offers an overlook of the South Fork along the New River Trail. A 2,000-square-foot interpretive center offers hands-on activities, live animals, and computer kiosk learning. Guided nature walks and nature/environmentally oriented special events are scheduled regularly. Special tours and programs are available or can be created for specific ages and groups. A volunteer program, including training for new volunteers, is available for individuals interested in conducting nature walks. Program Descriptions *Programs marked with asterisks meet specific curriculum objectives for the grades indicated. *GO TAKE A HIKE (PreK-12 th Grades) A naturalist will lead your group on an exploration of the plant communities found along, and influenced by, the New River. Our trip begins in the hammock forest where majestic laurel oak trees tower overhead. Traveling to the flood plain, your group will experience the brackish water wetland dominated by pond apple and mangrove trees. After spending some time at the observation deck overlooking the South Fork of the New River, your group will return to the center to view the Monarch Interpretive Center. *WONDERS OF WILDLIFE (PreK-Third Grades) This program is an introduction to the animal kingdom, focusing on the needs of wildlife and animal adaptations. Your students will be introduced to the critters of Secret Woods Nature Center through a hands-on presentation, followed by an opportunity to explore the New River trail and visit to the Monarch Interpretive Center. BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE (PreK-Third Grades) Join our staff to discover the life cycle of the butterfly, make your own butterfly, and take it for a walk along the trail. After spending some time on the Laurel Oak Trail, your group will return to view the Monarch Interpretive Center. You will also visit one of our butterfly gardens and see the actual lifecycle of real butterflies up close and in person. *GREEN AND GROWING (Kindergarten-First Grades) Take a hike and identify the many types of plants living at Secret Woods Nature Center. As we learn about the jobs of the various parts of the plants, we will also explore the ways in which plants were used by the Indians and early pioneers. Finally, we will discover the relationships between the animals and plants found at the nature center. 12
Secret Woods Nature Center Continued *HABITAT HUNT (Third Grade) Learn about the unique habitats of Secret Woods Nature Center laurel oak hammocks and brackish water wetlands. Explore the interrelationships between the oaks, pond apples, mangroves, and the animals that inhabit the park. Discover the adaptations that allow survival in these varied environments. *FOREST ECOSYSTEMS (Fourth-Fifth Grades) Explore the interrelationships of the plants and animals in the forest ecosystem. Discover the role the environment plays in determining plant and animal communities. Compare the forests of Secret Woods Nature Center with the rainforests of South America and learn more about our role in saving this habitat for future generations. *FLORIDA: OUR SUNSHINE STATE (Fourth Grade) Enrich your State of Florida lessons with a visit to see our state tree on an informative trail walk through an oak hammock and brackish wetland. See a video on Florida s endangered species and learn why they are in peril. This program will help students learn about the uniqueness of our great state. NATURE S STEWARDS (Middle-High School) This program offers students the opportunity to learn how and why some exotic plants have become a problem in South Florida. Students will get the opportunity for hands-on land management by learning to identify and remove exotic species. After exotic removal, students will experience habitat restoration by replanting the area with native species. Three hours. Free, with completion of 1.5-hour work project. Seek the Unique SECRET WOODS NATURE THEATER (PreK-Second Grades) Students will have the opportunity to learn about various nature-related subjects through a series of puppet shows designed to educate preschool to second-grade children. Topics include: the lifecycle of a butterfly; the formation and protection of coral reefs; the lifecycle and feeding habits of spiders; and the effects of wind, insects, etc. New topics are being added continually. Students will also see topicrelated exhibits and may have demonstrations as well as hands-on activities. Some topics include a guided trail walk. 13
Southeast District Natural Areas 954-926-2480 Groups interested in visiting natural area sites in the Southeast District can call the Anne Kolb Nature Center to arrange for naturalist-led hikes. A. MIRAMAR PINELAND NATURAL AREA 3300 block of S. University Dr., Miramar This site is 158-acres of one of the last natural pineland areas in Broward County. Lush slash pines, sabal palms, and young oak trees cover the land, which is adjacent to an open prairie. The site has hiking trails but no facilities are available. Miramar Pineland Natural Area is currently closed. Call the phone number above for its opening date. B. SNAKE WARRIOR S ISLAND NATURAL AREA 3600 S.W. 62 nd Ave., Miramar This 53.3-acre site of elevated islands, oak hammock, and re-created wetland was once the camp of Chitto Tustenuggee, the legendary Snake Warrior, and is the site of the oldest documented Seminole settlement in the eastern Everglades. Site amenities include a parking lot, a walkway with seating areas, interpretive signage, and fencing. There are no restroom facilities. 14
Southwest District Natural Areas 954-370-3755 More than 400 acres in southwest Broward County has been designated as Natural Area sites, selected for their unique ecosystems and history, to preserve part of Broward County s natural and cultural heritage. Broward County s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Bond Program of March 1989 is the primary funding source for the acquisition and enhancement of these sites. A. PINE ISLAND RIDGE NATURAL AREA 3900 S.W. 100 th Ave., Davie One hundred one acres with beautiful old oak hammocks, interspersed with slash pines and a rich understory, which provides a wildlife refuge in an urban area. The ridge also contains a number of recorded archaeological sites and was once inhabited by Tequesta and Seminole Indians. It has the highest natural elevation (29 feet) in Broward County with paved walking trails and an interpretive shelter. The site is adjacent to Tree Tops Park in Davie, where restroom and water facilities are available. B. LONG KEY NATURAL AREA 3501 S.W. 130 th Ave., Davie One hundred fifty-five acres in Davie, Long Key Natural Area is the western extension of the Pine Island Ridge complex. Mature live oaks are decorated with bromeliads and ferns. The ridges were once home to Tequesta and Seminole Indians. Adjacent abandoned farm fields and orange groves serve additional wildlife needs and embody the agricultural history of the area. The site has hiking trails but no facilities are currently available at this site. Program Descriptions Field trips are offered at Pine Island Ridge Natural Area. TURTLE TALK (PreK-Second Grades) A Native American story about how turtles shells crack will inspire students to learn more about turtles and tortoises. Activities include a craft project, and a reptile hunt to spot turtles, tortoises, and other reptiles. This program can also be conducted at Markham and C.B. Smith parks. Maximum students. 15
Southwest District Natural Areas Continued MOLLY THE MONARCH (PreK-Second Grades) Molly the Monarch leads students through the lifecycle of butterflies. This interactive puppet show will allow students to watch Molly as she hatches from her egg as a caterpillar, demonstrates a finicky appetite, molts her skin, then forms a chrysalis and emerges as a beautiful butterfly. The story ends with Molly searching for a new milkweed on which to lay her eggs and start the cycle again. Includes a take-home craft activity. This program can also be conducted at Markham or C.B. Smith parks. Maximum students. CREEPY CRAWLY CRITTERS (First-Sixth Grades) Learn how to predict weather watching crickets. Find out why earthworms go for a walk after it rains. Discover how spider silk can stop a speeding bullet. This program includes hands-on activities, an Insect Inspection walk, and a craft project. Also offered at Markham Park. Maximum students. WALK THROUGH TIME (Third-Sixth Grades) From saber-toothed cats to the Battle of Pine Island, students will learn about the exciting history of Pine Island Ridge. On a walk up to the ridge, students will learn about the former inhabitants including the Tequesta and Seminole Indians, and the pioneers who drained the area for farming. Visit the highest natural elevation in Broward County to discuss the geologic processes that formed this island in the Everglades. The program ends with a discussion of fossils, a fossil craft project, and a fossil hunt. Maximum students. NATURE INVESTIGATORS (Third-Sixth Grades) Get out your notebooks and your magnifying glasses. Students use their nature knowledge to uncover clues and solve an environmental mystery. The mystery leads students to various spots on Pine Island Ridge where they must use reasoning skills to eliminate possibilities until they crack the case. Maximum students. NATURE SENSATION (First-12 th Grades) Artists throughout the ages have been inspired by nature. Students will use their senses to experience nature and be inspired. The program begins with a nature study to explore the oak hammock of Pine Island Ridge. Examples of great art, poetry, and music inspired by natural wonders will be presented. Students will then be encouraged to express their experiences through age-appropriate activities that may include poetry, sketching, haiku, leaf rubbings, and song. This program can also be held at Markham Park. Maximum students. EARTH PROTECTORS (Middle-High School) What can be done to protect our dwindling natural resources? This program shows how proper management practices and preservation can benefit the environment. A trail walk will introduce students to these concepts, then they will put their knowledge into practice by working on conservation projects such as exotic plant removal and habitat restoration. Students should wear old work clothes and closed-toe shoes. Bring work gloves. Free with the completion of a 1.5-hour work project. Maximum students. 16
Tree Tops Park 3900 S.W. 100 th Ave., Davie 954-370-3750 Tree Tops Park is an excellent place to explore the wonders of nature rooted in the history of Florida. Along the park s Pine Island Ridge, people have coexisted with wildlife for at least 7,000 years. The distinctive habitats of pinelands, high hammocks, and wetland marsh in this 356-acre park provide numerous opportunities for handson environmental education and nature adventure. Program Descriptions GROWING AND CHANGING (Kindergarten-First Grades) Meet Frannie the Frog or Busy the Bee in a puppet show that explains how living things grow, change, and reproduce. On a trail walk students will use a variety of senses to learn what natural foods animals and people can eat. A scavenger hunt will help students find living things that grow and change in the forest. LIVING AND NONLIVING (First-Second Grades) A puppet show with forest friends will help explain what is living and what is nonliving. Through hands-on activities, students will look for soil creatures and pond life in the environment. A safari walk along the nature trails will help students to classify animals and plants and emphasize their dependence of living things on one another and the environment. BUTTERFLIES: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Kindergarten-Second Grades) Children will learn about the life cycle of a butterfly and how it grows from a beast into a beauty. On our trails the students will see and learn to identify different species of butterflies in our special butterfly garden. They will discover the role these beautiful creatures play in the environment. Students will make a butterfly craft to take home. HABITATS: A CIRCLE OF LIFE (Third-Fifth Grades) Increase your students understanding of habitats and ecosystems. A hands-on activity of building a food pyramid and a food web will help students learn about how organisms are interrelated and interdependent and how they best adapt to their environment. A trail walk will show students a variety of habitats and how organisms compete for available resources. 17
Tree Tops Park Continued WONDERFUL WORLD OF BIRDS (Third -Fifth Grades) Your students will open their eyes to some of the most beautiful and accessible animals in the natural world. Students will be introduced to the birds in Tree Tops Park and how their adaptations help them survive in the wild. On a trail walk, students will observe birds and the plants they need for food. INDIANS OF SOUTH FLORIDA (Sixth-Eighth Grades) The cultural and historical members of our South Florida community the Tequesta and Seminoles Indians will be examined with a trail walk through their ancient homelands. Students will learn what plants and trees were used for foods, medicines, and everyday living. MOTHER NATURE S APPRENTICES (Sixth-Eighth Grades) What can young people do to help the environment? Through a trail walk students will learn about current issues and how we can all help the environment through conservation enhancement and protection. Participants will make a positive impact by working on a conservation project such as tree planting and exotic plant removal. Wear covered shoes and work clothes. Bring work gloves. Three hours. Free with completion of 1.5-hour work project. EARTH PROTECTORS (Ninth-12 th Grades) What can be done about our rapidly dwindling resources? This program shows how proper management practices and preservation can benefit the environment. A trail walk will introduce students to these concepts. Then they ll put their new knowledge into action by participating in conservation projects such as exotic plant removal and tree planting. Wear old work clothes and covered shoes. Bring work gloves. Three hours. Free with completion of 1.5-hour work project. Seek the Unique INDIAN POWWOW (Third-Fifth Grades) Our South Florida historical heritage is explored in this educational program. A walk through the forest and marsh area will help students experience what life used to be like in nature s supermarket, seeing what trees and plants were used for food, medicine, and everyday living by Indians and early settlers. 18
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