Butterfly World
- Coconut Creek proudly displays its self-proclaimed title as the "Butterfly Capital of the World" on its official website. This small city located about 15 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale is home to Butterfly World, a mostly outdoor collection of aviaries, botanical gardens, butterfly farm and research facility occupying roughly 10 acres in Tradewinds Park. The park, which houses 20,000 plus butterflies representing about 50 species and hundreds of birds at any given time, is the brainchild of local butterfly enthusiast Ron Boender. Since its 1988 inauguration, the center's efforts have been instrumental in saving endangered species such as the Schaus Swallowtail while providing a unique view of how butterflies live for the thousands of visitors that come to the park every year.
Fern Forest Nature Center
- The sprawling 247 acres of "Urban Wilderness Area" found on the south end of Coconut Creek is named for the 30 plus species of ferns growing on the property. At last count, scientists had identified over 200 species of plants in all. This rich biodiversity is due in part to the range of habitats present here; ranging from swampy forests to fallow fields. The animal life in the area is also diverse. Frogs, snakes and several bird species can all be found along the five trails that run through the park. In fact, the number and diversity of bird species has led to the area's inclusion on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Picnic tables, an exhibition hall, cafeteria and amphitheater all make this a great place to spend the day or even host a special event.
- Flamingo Gardens
- Flamingo Gardens, located about 16 miles west of Fort Lauderdale in Davie, is home to a large botanical collection and Everglades wildlife sanctuary. The gardens include thousands of native plants and trees including the largest collection of towering Florida Champion Trees and a native hammock of Live Oak trees with the oldest specimens passing 200 years old. The wildlife on display is nothing short of spectacular. A full 45 different species of birds co-exist in the 25,000 square foot free-flight aviary. Panthers, bobcats and black bears stalk through naturalistic habitats while such creatures as alligators and otters inhabit the other exhibits spread throughout the area. In all, the park measures around 60 acres filled with a one of a kind collection of flora and fauna that in many cases have all but disappeared from the rest of the state.
Everglades Wildlife Management Areas
- The Florida Everglades are perhaps the second most iconic landscape of the Sunshine State. Western Broward County is home to a large chunk of this fragile eco-system with exciting opportunities to view some of the native wildlife in its natural habitat. The Wildlife Management Areas, which occupy all of Broward County west of Coral Springs and Weston, provide ideal conditions for some of the 226,000 hunters and 3.1 million anglers registered with the state. In addition, the selection of trails and waterways are just waiting to be explored by hikers, bikers, horseback riders, kayakers and wildlife enthusiasts. For some, this is a unique opportunity to observe white-tailed deer, American alligators, wild turkeys and more in the wild.
