Daggerwing Nature Center — Attraction in Parkland

We almost didn't come here because my husband read that it was a very short walk. However, we are very glad we did. It was fun and memorable!

We were immediately engaged by the stork walking around the lakefront by the parking lot. We actually didn't know what it was, but we found it later on inside the Center as one of the exhibits.

After that, we immediately saw a whole bunch of turtles while looking over a footbridge. I'm not kidding you when I tell you we saw 10 turtles all at once. They kept swimming up to us and passing by. We were convinced they were looking for food, but We concluded that was not the case. The turtles were different from each other and were fascinating to watch. We spoke with some folks who had seen an alligator an hour before that. But, don't worry, you are well out of the way of the alligators.

The walk was indeed short, less than a mile, but if you pay attention to the educational signs and look for the bits of nature that they describe, it is a fun and engaging time. We saw some cool native plants that grow in the trees and we learned about bald cypress trees and how they are deciduous and their roots pop up and are called knees. I've been around the block in these types of places, yet I've never known these little facts!

The signs didn't talk about them, but I saw some spiders I've never seen before. I'm not a spider lover but I could not help but appreciate how amazing they were.

After our walk we went inside the Exhibit Center and were pleasantly greated by a nice lady named Rona. From start to finish, we had a really great visit. As far as it being small, I kind of liked that fact. Sometimes you just want to have a little outing, perhaps with kids or perhaps you just want to get out of the house for a little while but not commit to a whole day....

Daggerwing Nature Center is located inside of Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park. Just follow the signs in the park, you can't miss it. The nature center is named for the S Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly. The 39 acre nature center has a 3,000 foot exhibit center built in 2007 when the nature center underwent 2 million dollar expansion. The exhibit hall has live animals, displays, laboratories, classrooms, and a butterfly garden out front. Many educational programs are put on by the staff here throughout the year. One of the programs they offer is night hikes. I used to take my daughter to the Earth Day program and ladybug release. This year the Earth Day celebration is on April 27th from 10 to 2 PM. The center has limited hours and even when it is closed you can still visit the nature trail elevated boardwalk.

The .6 mile boardwalk trail starts off behind the nature center. It crosses over wetlands where I saw turtles swimming. In the past I have seen alligators here. The boardwalk then enters into a tropical hammock. Here you will see pond apple, strangler figs, and myrsine. If you take the trail to the left you end at an observation tower where at the top I found some teenagers smoking pot. The trail to the right takes you over the forest floor covered in giant ferns. The trail dead ends and you have to turn around to go back. Animals that have been spotted at the nature center include Osprey, woodpeckers, butterflies, turtles, and alligators.

The purpose of the nature center is to provide environmental education and recreation. There is no cost to visit. It's perfect for kids or anyone who loves nature. If you are lucky and look closely you may spot the centers namesake butterfly among the...

We were just here on a Field Trip with Sandpiper Shores Elm. The presentation in the class style room was very informative. The room was filled with rescued animals, and the Nature Teacher was Very Informative and kept the children engaged. We were allowed to touch a little Owl and a Snake and a Tortoise and even a Baby Alligator! The kids were thrilled. They learned a lot too. Then we did the Tree Covered Nature Trail and that was amazing. It was the perfect day weather wise and the trail was flourishing with trees birds and other wildlife. The kids really enjoyed that as well! The Nature Teacher accompanied the class and explained about certain trees plants and animals that live in and around the area. The kids even saw a turtle in the water! Then we were brought into the other side where there is a Huge Nature Center. It’s amazing in there, and has a lot of educational things for the kids as well as animals! I was so impressed the 1st time I went here years ago for Halloween. Seeing it again impressed me even more. This is a great place to educate kids on nature and conservation of our precious wildlife. If your a school and are considering taking your classes here, stop thinking and do it, you will be thrilled you did and so will...