Hammock Happenings March 2020

Sea Turtle Day Festival
Join us for a very special Sea Turtle Day Festival celebrating the 35th anniversary of Gumbo Limbo Nature Center! Attend Discovery Sessions in the classroom throughout the day with nature talks and hands on activities, enjoy live music, meet environmentally focused exhibitors, take a guided tour of the Butterfly Garden, watch a play by Sol Children Theater, meet Sea Turtle Ambassador Luna, paint using recycled materials, eat delicious food from the fabulous food trucks, and more!

Saturday, March 7, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Entry and activities are free, food and drink available for purchase.
All parking is in Spanish River Park with free shuttle service to and from event. Parking fees apply.
Drop offs and pick-ups are permitted in Red Reef West (the Intracoastal side of Red Reef Park, ¼ mile south of Gumbo Limbo) and walk the boardwalk or the sidewalk to the event. Drop-offs and pick-ups are not allowed in front of Gumbo Limbo or along A1A.
Learn more and view the schedule of activities at gumbolimbo.org/Sea-Turtle-Day.
Eco-Watch Lecture Series
Gumbo Limbo’s lecture series is celebrating 35 years of Gumbo Limbo Nature Center! Learn about the past, present, and future of science and conservation. Attend one or all of Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s presentations by a guest scientist, author, researcher, or other expert. Recommended for ages 14 & up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

New this year, hosted by the beautiful Boca Raton Spanish River Library. Meet on the second-floor mezzanine of the library located at 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd. Suggested $5 donation per person. Reservations can be made online or by calling 561-544-8615; donations cannot be accepted at event.

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March 10
Larry Wood, PhD, Florida Hawksbill Project
Jewels on the Reef: The Secret Lives of Hawksbill Turtles

Dr. Larry Wood has been working with sea turtles in Florida for over 25 years. His lifelong interest in biology, particularly reptiles, brought him to Juno Beach Florida, where he undertook sea turtle nesting beach surveys, helped develop a sea turtle rehabilitation facility, and created numerous public awareness and marine education programs. In 2004, he established the Comprehensive Florida Hawksbill Research and Conservation Program, which is the first and only long-term study of hawksbill turtles in Florida. Dr. Wood has contributed to sea turtle conservation in many ways in Florida and elsewhere through his publications, contributions to symposia, and student/volunteer mentorships. He is currently pursuing his research and public education interests with the National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Reservations

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March 24
Maria Fadiman, PhD Associate Professor, Florida Atlantic University
When an Elder Dies, a Library Burns

Join Dr. Fadiman as she takes you into the Amazon rainforest, the savannas of Africa and to an island in the Caribbean with a National Geographic expedition. In each of these locations she explores the relationship that people have with the plants around them (ethnobotany) and how these cultures keep their forest knowledge alive.

Reservations

Animal Adventures Day Camp
Spring Break for Grades 3-5

Join us during school breaks to explore topics in science and nature. Register for one, two, or all three days!

March 23, 24, 25 8:30 am – 12:00 pm.

Day 1, March 23 – The Mysterious and Misunderstood Register for Day 1
Day 2, March 24 – Fear Not! Register for Day 2
Day 3, March 25 – Mini Beasts Register for Day 3
Cost per child per day: Resident/Member $25, Non-resident/Non-member $30. Sign-up for each day individually. Online registration closes March 21. Program may be cancelled due to registration below-minimum required number.

March Programs
Search our online Program Listings and learn about our new program registration procedures.

New to our online registration system, WebTrac? Click the button below for more information:

New Users Learn More

The Art of Nature
Do you look at clouds and see images of animals? Does the rustling of leaves in the wind sound like a symphony? We will make ephemeral art, learn to take thoughtful nature photos, and capture the beauty of nature on canvas. Program for adults and families.

Ages 7-adult; children under 18 must sign-up and participate with an adult.
March 1, 10:00-11:00am
Cost per person: Resident/Member $5, Non-resident/Non-member $8
Reservations required
Homeschool Workshops
Join Gumbo Limbo Educators for super science-based lessons for your homeschool students, ages 3-12. Sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 fall workshops. Students will be divided into age groups; 3-5 years (parent required to stay with child), 6-8 years, and 9-12 years. Participate in science activities related to the monthly topic, prepared specifically with your student’s age group in mind. Younger/older siblings must participate in their own age groups.

March 11, 2:00-3:30 pm (3-5 years, 2:00-3:00 pm)
Cost per Child: Resident/Member $5, Non-resident/Non-member $8
Cost per Sibling: Resident/Member $3, Sibling Non-resident/Non-member $6
Reservations required (by age group): Ages 3-5 Ages 6-8 Ages 9-12
Beach Treasures
Sand dollars? Sponges? Oh, what treasures you may find… sea beans, coral, shells and more; see what the sea has left behind! Meet at the Center to learn about shells and sea life; caravan to Red Reef Beach Park, for beachcombing with the experts!

All ages; children under 18 must sign-up and participate with an adult.
March 11 March 25 3:00-4:30pm
Reservations recommended
Wetlands and Wildlife
Meet at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach (13026 Jog Rd.) and learn about how inland water sources affect our marine habitats. Learn about the birds and how they rely on these critical habitats. Bring binoculars/cameras for this FREE ¾ mile boardwalk stroll.

Ages 7-adult; children under 18 must sign-up and participate with an adult.
March 13, 8:00 am March 27, 3:00 pm
Reservations recommended
Little Wonders
Join us for stories, laughter, and fun, as we learn about everything under the sun! Gumbo Limbo, a great place to explore; aquariums, trails, gardens, and more! Make a craft, meet an animal, take in the scene; come back every month for a brand-new theme!

Ages 3-4 with an adult.
March 14, 10:00-11:00 am
Cost per child: Resident/Member $5, Non-resident/Non-member $8
Reservations recommended
Nature Detectives
“Why’s the sky blue? Why are plants green? What’s inside an egg? What does it all mean?” There is no end to a child’s questions! Become a Nature Detective with your novice naturalist as we investigate the mysteries of the world around us.

Ages 5-7 with an adult.
March 14, 11:30 am-12:30 pm
Cost per child: Resident/Member $5, Non-resident/Non-member $8
Reservations recommended
A Walk in the Hammock
Join us for a FREE guided nature walk along the new, quarter-mile boardwalk trail that winds through the hammock (a word for a coastal Florida forest) and along the mangroves by the Intracoastal. Enjoy the peace and quiet of this woodland habitat, interrupted only by the sounds of birds, the antics of squirrels, and the occasional visit of a fox, raccoon, or skunk.

All ages; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Sunday, March 15, 1:00 pm
Reservations not required
Intracoastal Adventures – Welcome Spring Canoe
Join us as we explore the moonlit shores of the Intracoastal during our evening canoe paddle. Must be experienced at canoeing and be able to get into and out of a canoe without assistance. 2-3 people per canoe.

Ages 8-adult; children under 18 must sign-up and participate with an adult.
Sunday, March 15, 6:00-7:30pm
Cost per person: Resident/Member $20, Non-resident/Non-member $25
Reservations required
Early Birding with Al
Pick up some new skills or sharpen the old ones! Join us for a free early morning birding adventure at Gumbo Limbo. Learn about our native and migratory birds from an experienced birder, as we walk the Ashley Trail and the boardwalk in search of warblers, gnatcatchers, woodpeckers, and other avian species. Binoculars recommended. Meet on the front porch of the Nature Center.

Ages 10 and up; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
March 19, 8:00-9:00 am
Reservations not required
Intracoastal Adventures – Canoeing
Nature-lovers! Discover the magic of the mangroves with a Gumbo Limbo guide on a canoe paddle along the Intracoastal Waterway. Must be experienced at canoeing and be able to get into and out of a canoe without assistance. 2-3 people per canoe.

Ages 6-adult; children under 18 must sign-up and participate with an adult.
March 21, 9:30am-11:00am
Cost per person: Resident/Member $20, Non-resident/Non-member $25
Reservations required
Intracoastal Adventures – Kayaking
Beautiful scenery, fresh air, and exercise! Join us for a kayak tour as we learn about the fascinating wildlife that calls the Intracoastal home. Must have kayaking experience and be able to get in and out of a kayak without assistance. 1-2 people per double kayak.

Ages 6-adult; children under 18 must sign-up and participate with an adult.
March 22, 9:00-10:30am
Cost per person: Resident/Member $20, Non-resident/Non-member $25
Reservations required
Intracoastal Adventures – Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
A whole new way to see the Intracoastal! Stand-up paddling offers a new perspective of the water below. Join us for a fun paddle along the mangroves as we look for fish, turtles, and stingrays!

Ages 12-adult; children under 18 must sign-up and participate with an adult.
March 28, 9:00-10:30am
Cost per person: Resident/Member $20, Non-resident/Non-member $25
Reservations required
The Science of Nature
What is the name of the science that studies insects and spiders? What does a dendrologist do? Come find out for yourself! We will explore the science of nature and conduct some scientific experiments and activities of our own. Program for adults and families.

Ages 7-adult; children under 18 must sign-up and participate with an adult.
March 29, 11:00am-12:00pm
Cost per person: Resident/Member $5, Non-resident/Non-member $8
Reservations required
S’more Science
Join us for this fun campfire program in our garden amphitheater with a yummy treat. Each month will host a different topic.

All ages; children under 18 must sign-up and participate with an adult.
March 29, 5:00-6:00pm
Cost per person: Resident/Member $3, Non-resident/Non-member $5
Reservations required
Recurring Walk-in Programs
Guided Nature Walk
Join us for a FREE guided walk along the Ashley Trail, a quarter-mile natural trail that winds through the Butterfly Garden, Coastal Hammock, and Mangroves, to a sandy beach by the Intracoastal. Observe local flora and fauna as your naturalist guides you on this island exploration.

All ages; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00-12:00 pm
Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feedings
What is the connection between mangrove and coral reef communities? How do fish use these habitats? Learn about the fascinating behaviors of native fish, stingrays, and other marine life during these daily feeding presentations.

All ages. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Daily at 12:30 pm
Sea Turtle Talk
Get the inside scoop on our Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility. Last year, over 100 sea turtle patients were treated at Gumbo Limbo. Meet some of our current patients and hear their stories. Why are they here? What can you do to help?

All ages; children under 18 must participate with an adult.
Daily at 2:00 pm