The new Daggerwing Nature Center's exhibit hall takes visitors on a journey that begins under the ground, continues under water, and rises above the surface up to the canopy of a swamp. Interactive exhibits, live animals, sloped flooring and over sized features create a storybook-like experience to help understand the swamp habitat.

Following the exhibit, you can take a walk on the boardwalk through 40 acres
of real swamp to test out what you learned in the exhibit hall.

Daggerwing offers programs for school groups as well as private gatherings
for birthday parties, scout troops, camps, nature clubs, church groups,
“mommy and me” groups, senior adult centers and libraries. For all programs,
educators use a hands-on approach with live animals, models, interesting
facts and other fun materials to teach about conservation and what’s
native to Florida.

The new astronomical observatory, which will have a dome that opens and
a telescope for viewing celestial objects/events, is yet to be built on the
very site where the grand opening took place on April 26. He promised it
would be open for business within a year’s time.

Daggerwing is located in South County Regional Park just west of the
Tennis Center and just north of Coconut Cove Waterpark. It is open six
days a week from Tuesday to Sunday, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm, except for
Saturday, when the facility opens at 8:15 am.
Admission is free.

For more information, go to www.pbcparks.com/nature and
click on the Daggerwing link.

Thanks to Alan Kellock, W. Boca Blogger

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Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
is located two miles south of Boynton Beach Boulevard, off U.S. 441. Their
Cypress boardwalk is newly reopened, so that you can get a close-up swamp
experience. Their Earth Day program includes a roving bird naturalist
and other interesting wildlife experiences.
In total, the refuge includes
over 221 square miles of Everglades habitat, and is home to the
American alligator and as many as 257 species of birds may use the
refuge's wetland habitats.

In addition to being a home to wildlife, the refuge offers many recreational
opportunities: Walking trails, a canoe trail, bike trail, boat ramps,
fishing platform, observation towers, butterfly garden, and a visitor center.
Daily Schedule: Refuge opens at 5:00 A.M. and closes at 6:00 P.M.
Visitors Center: Open Wed - Fri 9:00 - 4:00; Sat and Sun 9:00 to 4:30.
Golden Age Passport gives you free admission.
$5.00 per vehicle.

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Date: April 17, 2008
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Cost: $6.00 per person
Gumbo Limbo Preserve is offering this outing to discover wildlife
and dune plantings along the trails at one of the barrier islands.
Meet at the nature center, 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., to caravan with other
interested nature-lovers.
For more information, call 561-338-1473.

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Saturday, March 29th: Wetlands Dayto be held at:
The Green Cay Wetlands 12800 Hagen Ranch Road,
Boynton Beach . FREE

On Saturday, March 29th, a collection of local nature center experts, wetland
birds and animals, environmental volunteers, naturalists and photographers
will be there to celebrate Wetlands Day 2008. P.B. CountyWater Utilities
Department sponsors this event to promote awareness of water
conservation and environmental issues.
At 10 a.m. Karen Milstein and Arlene Spagna, nationally-published nature
photographers, will speak, followed by a presentation from the South Florida Water Management District on the role of man-made wetlands in Everglades restoration
at 11 a.m. At noon, Busch wildlife will give a presentation on the animals of the
wetlands featuring baby alligators and birds of prey. The day will conclude with a rehabilitated wildlife release.
Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management will hand out native
saplings and information on reforestation. Nature Center volunteers will give
boardwalk tours and provide story telling at the chickee hut every hour on the
half hour.

The Green Cay and Wakodahatchee Wetlands were built by the P.B.C. Water
Utilities Department as an important component in its Reclaimed Water Program.
In addition to providing valuable wildlife habitat to more than 150 bird species,
turtles, fish, bobcats, foxes and otters, the wetlands also receive and help clean
treated wastewater that is piped underground from the nearby Southern Region
Water Reclamation Facility. This wastewater treatment plant also supplies the
surrounding community with reclaimed water, a cost savings for consumers
while conserving fresh drinking water that would otherwise be used to
quench thirsty South Florida lawns and golf courses.

This information supplied by Robert Nelton, Senior Public Relations
Specialist for P.B. County Water utilities Dept.

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The West Boynton Park and Recreation Center is located at 6000 Northtree
Boulevard, Lake Worth - directly behind the Park Vista High School. For
more information, call Ellen Gilmer, 561 355-1125. Tell her you saw this
BLOG.

Every second Friday of the month, there is FREE Family Skate Night, from
6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Why not go there on March 14th and try it out
with your family?

There is music and food and fun for all. Spend time with your kids and
exercise at the same time!! Everyone benefits!

If you like this BLOG, please leave a comment.

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Formerly known as the Golden Age Passport, the America the Beautiful National
Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows many people to enjoy traveling,
camping, and sight seeing at our national parks and recreation areas.
The lifetime senior pass is for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62
or over. The senior pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation
sites that charge an entrance fee.

The senior pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial
vehicle at “per vehicle” fee areas and pass holder plus 3 adults, not to exceed
4 adults, at “per person” fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free).

The senior pass can only be obtained in person at a national park, recreational
area, or monument where an entrance fee is charged and at forestry ranger stations.

The senior pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity
Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch,
and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity
Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction.

The senior pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce
special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

You must show proof of age such as a driver’s license, birth certificate,
or similar document. There is an $10 processing charge to obtain the senior pass.

Comments are welcomed! Did you like this article? Readers: Would you
like more postings about senior programs in our area? Let me know. Your
comments are always private. Your e-mail address is never made public.

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Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is located in Boca Raton, Florida at
Red Reef Park, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.
1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton
561-338-1473 - Volunteer Line 561-338-1588
gumbo@gumbolimbo.org OR www.gumbolimbo.org
Twenty acres of Boca Raton's Red Reef Park include a nature center and sabal palm
hammock, coastal dunes, and mangrove wetlands. There are a variety of mammals,
birds, reptiles and fish. Rare and endangered species such as the manatee, the
brown pelican, the osprey and sea turtles can sometimes be observed. A beautiful
butterfly garden and a boardwalk offer tranquil settings for a lovely stroll. Climb the
40 foot observation tower and look out over the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal.
This center aims to make visitors aware of the need to preserve and protect nature.

Gumbo Limbo is open from Monday through Saturday from 9AM to 4PM and
Sunday: 12PM to 4PM. They are closed on New Year's Day, 4th of July,
Thanksgiving and Christmas day. There is no charge but a “suggested ”donation
of $ 3.00 per person. Their nature-themed gift shop has imaginative gifts.

The Great Backyard Bird Count - February 16th - 9:00 A.M.
Free - Must Register Naturalist Rick Newman plans a 2 hours walk around
the grounds of Gumbo Limbo to search for birds and count them for the 11th
Annual Great Backyard Bird Count! Bring binoculars and field guides if you
have them. Open to beginners and experts alike! Space is limited so register
today! Supervision Required: An adult must participate with children - all ages.

Third Annual Sea Turtle Day - Saturday March 8th -
10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Sea turtle nesting season kickoff, exhibits,
educational talks, games, crafts for kids, food, and more. Must register.
Call for further information. Children must be accompanied by adult.

Would you like to see more articles like this about places to visit nearby?
Please post a comment. Your e-mail address is never posted.

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Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is located
two miles south of Boynton Beach Boulevard, off U.S. 441. It is one of 538 refuges
in the National Wildlife system. There are many activities to enjoy and lots of wildlife
and nature to see. The refuge was established in 1951. In total, the refuge includes
over 221 square miles of Everglades habitat, and is home to the American alligator
and as many as 257 species of birds may use the refuge's wetland habitats.

In addition to being a home to wildlife, the refuge offers many recreational opportunities:
Walking trails, a canoe trail, bike trail, boat ramps, fishing platform,
observation towers, butterfly garden, and a visitor center.

There is a 400 acre cypress swamp. A boardwalk into the swamp even gives the visitor
a chance for an up-close swamp experience, without any danger.
Daily Schedule: Refuge opens at 5:00 A.M. and closes at 6:00 P.M.
Visitors Center: Open Wed - Fri 9:00 - 4:00; Sat and Sun 9:00 to 4:30.
Golden Age Passport gives you free admission.
$5.00 per vehicle.

Saturday, February 9, 2008. Ninth Annual Everglades Day.
Time: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Cost: FREE - For more information: (561) 734-8303
What's Happening: Canoe trips, animal presentations, walking tours.
Brazilian music. Storytelling at 2:00 and at 3:00. Sign up for tours when
you arrive. Wear hats and sunscreen and walking shoes.

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The West Boynton Park and Recreation Center is located at 6000 Northtree
Boulevard, Lake Worth - directly behind the Park Vista High School.

Ground Hog Day Celebration 2008 - will be held on Saturday,
February 2nd from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. for pre-school aged children. Program
is free. No pre-registration is required. Parents are invited to bring their children
to enjoy an educational morning with ground hog tales, dancing with their mascot
ground hog and outdoor games and music. Bring your camera!

Spring "Egg"stravaganza 2008 will be held on Friday,
March 21st from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Bring your children and your
camera to record photos with the bunny. Children will enjoy a great egg hunt!
Program is appropriate for children under 11. Rain or shine.

For more programs and information, log on to www.pbcparks.com

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Green Cay Wetlands and Nature Center is located at 12800 Hagen Ranch Road,
west of Boynton Beach between Boynton Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue.
The wetlands are open seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. Nature center
hours are 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Tuesday through Friday; 8:15 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Saturdays and 1:00 to 4:30 P.M. on Sundays.

On Tuesdays at 4:00 P.M., and on Saturdays at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M.
and 1:00 and 3:00 P.M., free guided half-mile tours are offered to visitors.
There are no reservations required.

For more information, call 561 966-7000. OR www.pbcparks.com/nature

If you are looking for a lovely morning or afternoon walk with visiting relatives or if you
need a destination to take your grandchildren, Green Cay Nature Center is a great refuge
for the eyes and the soul. Bring your camera and your binoculars. There is a lot to see!

The Nature Center has indoor exhibits, restrooms, and a lovely gift shop. Volunteers
are friendly and knowledgeable.

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