(954)473-2955
9:30am - 5:00PM
The Volunteer of the Month for April is Aliyah Guerrero. Aliyah started volunteering less than 2 months ago but already has about 80 hours completed. She always has a smile on her face and does every job exactly how we need. Most notably she has been seen as a guide in our Wray. Aliyah was willing to step up at a time where we really needed her and fill in the gaps to help us continue to move in an organized manner and we are so thankful to her for that.
Thanks to grants from the Leslie L. Alexander Foundation and the The Batchelor Foundation, as well as contributions from many generous donors from our 2023 Summer Appeal letter, the Owl Alley at Flamingo Gardens’ Bird of Prey Center has been completely rebuilt and is now open once again.
The new Owl Alley features four wood and wire aviaries, partially covered with a tin roof, and a covered walkway connecting to the Hawk Walk, recently rebuilt thanks to a grant from the Freed Family Foundation.
The new aviaries are home to house barn owls, great horned owls, barred owls, and screech owls. Each aviary is outfitted with new nesting boxes and perches. New signage is in the works. We greatly appreciate the support of the Leslie L. Alexander Foundation and The Batchelor Foundation for their generous gifts, and the many others that donated to the campaign, as do the owls!
Greetings, fellow eco-enthusiasts! It’s time for a peek behind the scenes of our EcoTeers initiatives. As we navigate through April and into May, our calendar has been bustling with activity and anticipation. Here’s a snapshot of what’s been happening and what lies ahead:
Earth Day Reflections:
While Earth Day events were not on our immediate agenda due to a flurry of other eco-engagements, the spirit of environmental stewardship thrives within our EcoTeers community. Instead, we channeled our energy into a special project, collaborating with Dominique on her pollinator garden. It’s an extra endeavor that aligns perfectly with the ethos of Earth Day – nurturing our precious pollinators and celebrating the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Outreach and Recruitment:
April 6th marked an exciting opportunity for outreach as we manned a booth alongside Beth Jarvis. Our mission? To recruit passionate volunteers for upcoming events, including the Orchid and Bonsai Festivals. Engaging with high school and college environmental groups opened doors for future collaborations, amplifying the impact of our projects and fostering a sense of community among environmental advocates.
Climate Conversations and Eco-Art:
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for Saturday, April 27th! We’re thrilled to be part of a Climate Conversation Seminar at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center. With the generous support of the Community Foundation of Broward and other donors, this event promises to ignite meaningful discussions and inspire action. Plus, we’ll have the opportunity to delve into the world of eco-art, exploring creative avenues for environmental advocacy.
Upcoming EcoTeer Project:
May holds even more excitement in store! On May 11th, join us at Flamingo Park Hall for an EcoTeer project dedicated to creating a wildlife-friendly habitat. Together, we’ll learn and lend a hand in attracting and reintroducing local butterflies, insects, and birds. Don’t miss out – registration is required, so reach out to Ashley Vieira at [email protected]g for more information.
Expressing Gratitude:
Last but certainly not least, a heartfelt thank you to the Community Foundation of Broward. Your support fuels our endeavors and amplifies our impact within the community. Look out for a revised “Thank you” in your inbox soon – it’s our small way of expressing immense gratitude for your partnership in our mission.
As we bid farewell to April and embrace the opportunities that May brings, let’s continue to tread lightly on this beautiful planet we call home. Together, as EcoTeers, we have the power to enact change, one project, one conversation, one step at a time.
Until next time, let’s keep the green spirit alive and thriving!
Our Volunteer of the Month for March is Cecilia Anzalone. Ci Ci as she is commonly referred too is as dedicated as a volunteer as we’ve ever had. She has volunteered over 1500 hours and has done it everywhere. Cecilia works weekly with our Orchidteers, and our Gift Shop. She is also heavily involved with our bee keeping projects. She regularly spends time assisting animal care. When called upon she can be asked to volunteer in any department and get the task at hand taken care of. When Cecilia is available, departments are eager to have her volunteer with them because of the exemplary work that she always does. She is integral to some many of the different things that we do here and she as a volunteer is the embodiment of our mission. We are so lucky to have her.
Butterfly World, Flamingo Gardens, Museum of Discovery and Science and Sawgrass Recreation Park will be offering the South Florida Adventure Pass for the ninth year. The special promotion offers passholders unlimited
admission to all four attractions throughout the summer!
Explore aviaries filled with 20,000 exotic butterflies and tropical birds at Butterfly World; see live animals, from alligators to panthers, at Flamingo Gardens; take an airboat ride at Sawgrass Recreation Park; and experience Survival of the Slowest at the Museum of Discovery and Science…all for one low price!
The South Florida Adventure Pass will be available for purchase at each of the
participating locations beginning on May 15, 2024, and will be valid for admission to each of the attractions until September 30, 2024. Butterfly World, Flamingo Gardens, Museum of Discovery and Science and Sawgrass Recreation Park will also have the passes for sale online at their respective websites.
At $60 plus tax, per adult ages 13+ and $50 plus tax, per child (ages 3-12), this pass grants unlimited admission to each attraction. Existing annual passholders/members at participating attractions can upgrade to the South Florida Adventure Pass for $50 plus tax, per adult, and $40 plus tax, per child.
For more information on the South Florida Adventure Pass, please visit southfloridaadventurepass.com.
About Butterfly World
Experience Butterfly World, where Discovery and Wonder take Flight at the World’s Largest Butterfly and Bird Park! It features “open air” aviaries with a breath-taking
display of 20,000 exotic butterflies and tropical birds from all around the world. Explore and interact with rare and delicate butterflies in the South Florida Tropical Rain Forest. Discover metamorphosis in our Research Facility where you will see all stages of the butterfly life cycle in a display that changes daily. Other highlights include Vine Maze, Butterfly Museum and Insectarium, and more! This is the perfect adventure for the whole family! Tradewinds Park weekend/holiday gate fee may be in effect. Located at 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073. For more information, please visit butterflyworld.com or call 954.977.4400.
About Flamingo Gardens
Feed a flamingo at this botanical garden & wildlife sanctuary! Established in 1927, Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens in South Florida. The 60-acre non-profit botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary contains over 3000 tropical and sub-tropical species of plants and trees including 15 of the largest trees of their species. Its Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest collection of rescued Florida native wildlife in the state, including alligators, bobcats, otters, eagles, panthers, a black bear and flamingos. Visit the
historic Wray Home Museum and take a narrated tram tour through native jungle growth and wetlands. Located at 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33330. For more information, please visit flamingogardens.org or call 954.473.2955.
About Museum of Discovery and Science
Founded in 1976 as the Discovery Center, today the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is at the forefront of science education, innovation and exploration. MODS connects people to inspiring science, providing STEM education and cultural experiences for 450,000+ visitors annually in the 150,000 sq. ft. facility. MODS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for three decades (only 3% of science museums are accredited for excellence and leadership in the field). In the past year, MODS has added to that distinction by being named Broward’s Hub for Resilience Education by the Board of the Community Foundation of Broward, selected by the LEGO Foundation as one of only 15 museums nationwide to join the Playful Learning Museum Network and awarded the prestigious 2023 IMLS National Medal for Museum Service.
The Museum celebrates diversity and welcomes visitors from all walks of life. The Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MODS is located downtown at 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, please visit mods.org or call 954.467.MODS (6637).
Like us or follow us on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/modsftl
Twitter: twitter.com/modsftl
Instagram: instagram.com/modsftl
About Sawgrass Recreation Park
Discover the Florida Everglades on a thrilling 40-minute airboat adventure! Glide over the sawgrass and cattails and let your spirit soar as you hear the stories of this unique environment. In our exhibit areas meet our adopted and rescued reptiles and even pet a baby alligator! Open 7 days reservations required at this time, try The Gator Grill offering unique flavors of Florida! Please call to make reservations for your visit. 1006 N. Highway 27, Weston, FL 33327. For more information, please visit evergladestours.com or call 954.389.0202.
