Wildlife Around Us

Meet the Nature Center's animal ambassadors, while learning about the natural history of local wildlife and the importance of habitat protection and conservation. A variety of animals may be utilized, including raptors, alligators, bugs, and/or snakes. Though we may be able to accommodate specific requests, ensuring the care and well-being of our teaching animals is our top priority.

Snakes: Friend or Foe?

Learn about the role snakes play in the environment and how to identify South Florida’s venomous versus non-venomous species. Live animals, skins, sheds, and skeletons are utilized to showcase these amazing creatures and their unique adaptations.

Alligators Alive

Learn about Florida’s native alligators, including insight into their ecology and natural history, with a special emphasis on the important role they play in the environment and the various threats they face. This program includes our live alligator ambassadors.

What's Wild?

This hands-on activity is designed to help children distinguish between animals that are wild and animals that are tame. Wild animals can take care of themselves, while tame animals depend on people to survive. At least one animal ambassador will be utilized, including a discussion about how we care for our non-releasable, resident wildlife. NOTE: This program is ideal for Pre-K - 2nd Grade students.

Winged Warriors of the Sky: Raptors

Discover the world of eagles, hawks, owls, and vultures, with a special emphasis on their adaptations for survival. Live birds and numerous props are utilized in this interactive presentation.

Wildlife Inside and Out

This hands-on activity incorporates real and replica skulls, bones, furs, hides, feathers, shells, and x-rays. Students will learn about the anatomy and adaptations of various, local species and how these adaptations help them survive.

Voices in the Night: Frogs

Learn about local amphibians, including a meet and greet with members of our animal teaching team, with a special emphasis on how and why they make calls. Participants imitate selected calls (Frog Chorus) and discover why these calls are critical to survival.

Florida's Vanishing Species: Endangered Species

Students will learn about the reasons behind the decline of numerous, locally threatened and endangered animal species. There is a special discussion about the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and its implications and relevance to local species. Confiscations of illegal animal parts, such as shells, skins, and decorative items, are included in the presentation, as well as a meet and greet with one of our animal ambassadors.

Exploring the World of Insects and Spiders

Learn about the incredible world of insects and spiders, including the important role they play in the environment. This presentation includes hands-on activities, as well as live insects and replicas. NOTE: On-site programs can include a a bug collecting and identification “mini-expedition” along our nature trail.

Landlord of the Ancient Sand Dunes: Gopher Tortoises

Through a presentation, a meet and greet with our resident gopher tortoise, and hands-on activities, participants will learn about this remarkable keystone species, with an emphasis on the important role they play in the endangered pine scrub ecosystem.

Sea Turtles: Struggle For Survival

Students will learn about the natural history of South Florida’s sea turtle species, their endangered status, and information about nesting behaviors and trends on local beaches. Turtle shells, leather goods, jewelry, and other products will be shared with a message to discourage the international trade of endangered species products. NOTE: An interpretive skit is available for younger audiences.

Manatees in Peril

Learn about the biology, ecology, and conservation of the Florida manatee through an interactive presentation, emphasizing the role each of us can play to ensure the protection and conservation of manatees. Manatee skulls, bones, and other props are utilized during this hands-on experience to help students better understand the manatee’s evolutionary history, unique feeding habits, and why they are so susceptible to boat strike injuries.

Bats: Myth and Reality

Using an adaptation of a presentation created by Bat Conservation International, students will learn about the importance and ecology of bats, unloved and misunderstood by many. Learn why they are disappearing, hear truths rather than myths, and take a close look at the different species of bats found across the globe.

Wild Turkey Tales

This highly intelligent bird was in the running to be our national symbol before it nearly vanished from North America in the early 1900s. Find out how our native wild turkeys made a comeback and their adaptations for survival, including a variety of props and engaging audio visuals.

Invasive Species

From the Brazilian Pepper to the Burmese Python, Florida is home to many invasive species, which are non-native organisms that often disrupt environmental stability. During this interactive program, students will learn about what types of invasive species exist in Florida, the role they play in habitat degradation and, most importantly, how we can help remove them. One of our animal ambassadors will accompany the team. NOTE: This program is ideal for 4th – 8th graders but can be catered to accommodate high school students.

Habitat For Bears

Learn about bear biology and how you can help one of Florida's rarest species, the Florida black bear. The lesson plan is adapted from The Habitat for Bears Campaign, which is sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife & the Sierra Club. There is a special emphasis on how to spot bear tracks and other signs, and students will interact with a sample black bear pelt and skull.

The Polar Bear: Ice Bear of the North

Explore the world of this magnificent arctic predator and learn about their special adaptations, as well as the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. There is a special emphasis on the impact of global warming in the Arctic region.

Take a Rainforest Journey

Through the use of hands-on activities (puppets and story board), students will “visit” a tropical rainforest. Participants will learn about the wonders of these vanishing habitats and familiarize themselves with the “Jungle in the Pantry” (i.e., common household products that originate from rainforests). This activity includesa showcase of rainforest product confiscations, and a meet and greet with a member of our animal teaching team.

Biodiversity: Exploring the Web of Life

Learn about the earth's incredible variety of species and the wealth of habitats that support all forms of life, as well as the interconnections that tie us together. This program includes a member of our animal ambassador team, a World Wildlife Fund video (“Windows on the Wild”), and a game called “Sizing up Species”.

Investigating Our Feathered Friends

This program introduces students to the world of birds and their remarkable adaptations through hands-on activities and a meet and greet with one of our live raptors. Following the presentation, students will learn how to utilize binoculars and engage in a short hike along our trail to look for and identify birds and other creatures.