Child petting an opossum.
Photo by Lisa / Getty
Located in the north end of Okeeheelee Park on Forest Hill Boulevard, Okeeheelee Nature Center is one of Palm Beach County’s best kept secrets. The nature center features 2.5 miles of winding trails through 90 acres of flatwoods and wetlands, in addition to hands-on exhibits, animal encounters and a gift shop. The trails offer a deer overlook, marsh viewing blinds, a butterfly garden and bird feeders.
Okeeheelee Nature Center’s exhibits focus on three Palm Beach County ecosystems: freshwater, coastal and the upland pine flatwoods. Inside the center you can visit owls, baby alligators, snakes and turtles.
The following are August’s featured events. Reservations are required; visit www.pbcparks.com.
Tales & Tails: Opossums
Saturday, Aug. 13, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Ages 3-8; $3 per child
An Okeeheelee naturalist leads story time, a puppet show and introduces a live opossum.
ONC Behind the Scenes
Saturday, Aug. 20, 10 to 11 a.m.
All ages; $3 per participant
See how the animals are taken care of at Okeeheelee. Take a tour to see where the animals live and play when they are not working.
Creepy Crawlies
Saturday, Aug. 27, 1 to 2 p.m.
All ages; $3 per participant
Meet some spineless friends, take a walk to find butterflies and learn all about invertebrates in this interactive program.
To get involved with or support the Okeeheelee Nature Center, you can reach out to the nonprofit Friends of Okeeheelee Nature Center, which raises money to improve and diversify programs, support staff, recruit volunteers and expand involvement within the community.
