Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

The Gumbo Limbo Nature center is a project in Boca Raton that was founded in 1984. It consists of a protected barrier island that provides care for many rare and endangered species of plants and animals. More than 100,000 people visit the island each year to learn about the many things it has to offer. The nature center features four outdoor seawater tanks; the Mangrove Tank, the Reef Tank, the Shark and Ray Tank, and the Sea Turtle Tank. " All the animals in our sea tanks represent our local marine enviorments,"according to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.

Green Sea Turtle

Also on the island is a 1/4 mile boardwalk trail. It displays an ecosystem that once covered all of Florida. The types of plants and trees are the driving feature of the trail, with such life like grey foxes and red-bellied woodpeckers also being sighted every once in a while. The biggest project behind the nature center is the sea turtle conservation program they have. Florida's beaches supply important nesting beaches for species like the green and leatherback turtles. Every species of sea turtle in the world is either threatened or endangered which makes this project all that more important. This year they opened a sea turtle rehabilitation center, and since then have saved and released more than 150 sea turtles that were once stranded. 

The Gumbo Limbo Nature center is located on North Ocean Boulevard in Boca Raton. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm and on Sundays from 12pm to 4pm. 

Animal Grossology

Palm Beach Daily News

If you love learning gross stuff about science then head to the South Florida Science Museum sometime before January 9th to see the new Animal Grossology exhibit. It's an interactive exhibit aimed at both kids and adults to teach us about the more disgusting side of nature. "Through Animal Grossology, kids and adults alike can learn the biology behind snail slime, fly vomit (yuck!), the blood cravings of leeches and more," says the Palm Beach Daily News.

One of the exciting things created for it is an interactive station in which you crawl through a submarine type display and through the windows look out to see facts about certain sea creatures. "The sea cucumber, for example, will sometimes expel sticky portions of its primitive respiratory system to try to fend off a predator." The exhibit is based on the children's line of Grossology books written by Sylvia Branzei. It appears the disgusting side of nature is more appealing than it seems.


The South Florida Science Museum features over 50 exhibits, a planetarium, both freshwater and saltwater aquariums, and a few natural history exhibitions. 

No more cruelty to dogs!

Palm Beach Post

This past summer was a rough one for dogs. Record numbers of them were picked up from homes after being chained outside without food, water, or shelter. In Palm Beach County it is illegal to chain dogs outside between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. If the temperature reaches 90 degrees you must supply food, water, and shelter for your dog. According to the Palm Beach Post, in an average summer two to three dogs are found a week that are taken from their owners. This summer in one two week stretch almost 30 dogs were saved from their terrible lifestyle stuck in the heat.

One such incident occurred when a female pit bull that was nearly two years old was found one day baking in the 91 degree heat. What should have been a healthy 40 pound dog instead was found at a mere 10 pounds in a wired cage with no food or water. She managed to survive thanks to Animal Care and Control, though she has intestinal parasites and a skin disorder. Five other dogs were seized at the same house that day as well. The owners will face animal cruelty charges.

Animal Care and Control is the first agency in the southeast and second in the nation to become fully accredited by the Humane Society of the United States.

Horseback Riding for Disabled Riders

Photo Courtesy of Spirt Farm

For some individuals who are confined to a wheelchair, experienced an injury, mentally disabled, or has special needs.  Horseback riding has been providing therapy to such individuals for several years.  Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida has served over 120 children and adult riders in Broward and Palm Beach County.  Their mission is to provide therapeutic riding and equine-assited activities for the handicapped so that they may improve physically, mentally, and emotionally.  

This organization hits close to home because my mother is involved in a riding association in Viera, Fl.  She started riding and volunteering at Harmony Farms about four years ago and it has helped her immensely.  Horseback riding has always been one of her favorite activities to do, but it was always difficult for her without help.  Disabled riding has improved her quality of life, balance, and love for horses.  

Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida provides disabled riders the opportunity to achieve goals, building self-confidence, self-awareness, and the enjoyment of riding horses.  This program offers people with special needs recreational therapy and an interaction with the world around them.  Along with fulfilling an ability that they thought they never had.  Employees and volunteers work hard to make sure the program offers pure enjoyment to all individuals.

This program is offered at Tradewinds Park, 3600 West Sample Road, Coconut Creek, Fl.    

Dog Adoption Month

It's that time of year again to make your way over to your local animal shelter or humane society.  October is the United States dog adoption month.  During the month of October, adoptions will be taking place at local parks, stores, and several adoption fairs. 

According to Dogs 4 Life, many dog pounds  will offer discounts or waive fees entirely on dog adoptions.  Another way you can help is visiting fundraising events and/or dog fairs,  where the money raised by several participants will be used to help support homeless dogs.  Other ways you can help is donate blankets, dog sweaters, supplies, money to local shelters or volunteer at a local dog pound.   

Spread the word to everyone you know about dog adoption month.  Homeless dogs and puppies need a loving family and home to go to.  

Pet Guardian Angels of America lists several south Florida animal shelters and dog pounds.

Florida Humane Society: Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach

Pet Rescue Miami

Abandoned Pet Rescue: Fort Lauderdale

Animal Aid: Boca Raton

Animal Matters: Boca Raton

Get a Life Pet Rescue: Boynton Beach

Pets in Distress: Fort Lauderdale

Safe Harbor and Animal Sanctuary: Jupiter

Adopt A Pet: Miami

North Palm Beach: Palm Beach Pet Rescue

West Palm Beach: Paw 2 Help

Stray Aid and Rescue Promotes Spray/Neutering

With the continued recession and the declining economy, Stray Aid and Rescue is here to help for your lovable pets.  The rescue offers affordable spray/neutering services and adoptions from rescue groups and shelters.  The Stray Aid and Rescue is dedicated in preventing pet over-population and the killing of homeless pets that end up in county shelters.

According to the Humane Society, each year in america 6-8 million homeless animals end up in animal shelters.  Unfortunately, only half of these animals are adopted or moved to non-kill shelters. The other half of these animals who don’t find a home are euthanized to prevent over-population.  It is a pet owners best interest to get their animal sprayed and neutered, to help contain the large amount of animals going into these shelters.

Stray Aid and Rescue will educate you on the importance of getting your pets sprayed/neutered. There is little to no cost for the surgery, so there is no reason not to do it.

Come and visit Stray Aid and Rescue in Fort Lauderdale to see and bring home a sweet and loving pet. They are located at 101 Griffin Road in Dania, Fl.

Wood Stork Endangered or Not?

The wood stork, a native of south Florida, has a possibility of being taken off the endangered species list.  The wood storks are around 45 inches tall with a wingspan of over 60 inches and a long bill used as a killing device. These bird inhabit much of the Everglades and can be seen in marshes and in roadside canals.  Their nest can be found on the top branch of a cypress tree. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, the wood stork has been on the endangered species list since February 28, 1984.

Environmentalists have raised concerns about housing developments taking over the wood stork's habitat.  According to the Sun Sentinal, "The Florida Home Builders Association last year petitioned the federal government to reclassify the species from endangered to threatened, as a step toward removing it from the list completely."  Environmentalists are taking advantage of this endangered bird, by stoping two home developments in Collier County.

The new housing developments is causing a conflict between the environmentalists and the home owners association. Environmentalists believe the storks habitats are still declining which should keep it at it's current endangered level. On the other hand the home owners feel like it's just excuses from the environmentalists.