Access Program for Low-Income Families

Flamingo Gardens Announces Access Program for Low-Income Families Museums for All to increase accessibility of high-quality museum learning resources!

Today Flamingo Gardens announced that it has joined Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits. The program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting Flamingo Gardens for a minimal fee of $3 per person (Adults and Children), up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Similar free and reduced admission is available to eligible members of the public at more than 850 museums across the country. Museums for All is part of the Flamingo Gardens’ broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences.

 Museums for All helps expand access to museums and also raise public awareness about how museums in the U.S. are reaching their entire communities. More than 850 institutions participate in the initiative, including art museums, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos, history museums, and more. Participating museums are located nationwide, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

About Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) 

The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) champions children’s museums worldwide. With more than 460 members in 50 states and 16 countries, ACM leverages the collective knowledge of children’s museums through convening, sharing, and dissemination. Learn more at www.childrensmuseums.org.

The Climate Crisis 2022: Part 2- Climate Change Impacts

Last month, Flamingo Garden’s Eco-teer Tiffany Engel discussed The Greenhouse Gas Effect in Part 1 of the “Climate Change 101” as presented by the Eco-teers as part of their November 2022 Climate Fair. This month Eco-teer Ines Rosales discusses Climate Change Impacts affecting the world and Florida specifically.

Earth’s global average surface temperature in 2020 tied with 2016 as the warmest year on record, according to an analysis by NASA.

NASA uses the unique vantage point of space to better understand Earth as an interconnected system. The agency also uses airborne and ground-based measurements and develops new ways to observe and study Earth with long-term data records and computer analysis tools to better see how our planet is changing.

Continuing the planet’s long-term warming trend, the year’s globally averaged temperature was 1.84 degrees Fahrenheit (1.02 degrees Celsius) warmer than the baseline 1951-1980 mean, according to scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York. 2020 edged out 2016 by a very small amount, within the margin of error of the analysis, making the years effectively tied for the warmest year on record.

According to independent analyses by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Earth’s global surface temperatures in 2019 were the second warmest since modern recordkeeping began in 1880.

Globally, 2019 temperatures were second only to those of 2016 (now tied with 2020) and continued the planet’s long-term warming trend: the past six years have been the warmest of the last 140 years.

Using climate models and statistical analysis of global temperature data, scientists have concluded that this increase mostly has been driven by increased emissions into the atmosphere of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by human activities.

Rising temperatures in the atmosphere and ocean are contributing to the continued mass loss from Greenland and Antarctica and to increases in some extreme events, such as heat waves, wildfires, intense precipitation.

NASA shares this knowledge with the global community and works with institutions in the United States and around the world that contribute to understanding and protecting our home planet. You can see the NASA video Global Warming from 1880 to 2020 at: https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/139/video-global-warming-from-1880-to-2020/

Ice serves like the Earth’s natural air conditioning system. Large land-based ice formations naturally retreat each summer, but unusually warm temperatures have led to greater-than-average melting.

The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice free in summer before mid-century.

There is a difference between land ice and sea ice melting. The two main impacts of ice melt is:

  • Land ice includes ice sheets and glaciers. When it melts, it eventually finds its way into the nearest body of water because of gravity. Therefore, land ice melting directly adds to the volume of water in the ocean, increasing sea level. ( Land ice melting causes sea level rise)
  • Sea ice includes frozen seawater and icebergs. When it melts, it does not directly add to sea level rise because it’s already in the sea. (the volume is already accounted for) BUT it exposes more dark ocean, allowing the ocean surface to absorb more heat, and further encourage the melting of ice. (This is a positive feedback loop: an initial effect causes a secondary effect that perpetuates the initial effect.)

SOURCE:

https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/

https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4435

The past decade has seen unprecedented glacier retreat. Observations from 11 satellite missions monitoring the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have revealed that the regions are losing ice six times faster than they were in the 1990s. This video shows how, in the past 10 years, this glacier has retreated more than it had in the previous 100 years. You can see the video at: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/greenland-antarctica-melting-six-times-faster-than-in-the-1990s

threat of intense storms and the increasing threats of sea level rise, ocean chemistry, heatwaves, and water deficit.

* Jenny Staletovich, “Florida Leads Nation in Property at Risk from Climate Change,” Miami Herald, July 27, 2015. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article29029159.html

Hurricanes are expected to become larger and stronger, with more rainfall and larger storm surges, moving slower, and with rapid intensification. The criterion for rapid intensification is an increase in wind speeds of 35mph in 24 hours. Hurricane Ian jumped 35mph in just 4 hours!

In South Florida, we can expect at least 2 feet of sea level rise by 2050. Even more, by 2100, a rise of as much or more than 8 to 10 feet cannot be rules out.

The coastline of the United States is highly populated.  Approximately 25 million people live in an area vulnerable to coastal flooding. Coastal and ocean activities, such as marine transportation of goods, offshore energy drilling, resource extraction, fish cultivation, recreation, and tourism are integral to the nation’s economy, generating 58% of the national gross domestic product (GDP).

Coastal areas are also home to species and habitats that provide many benefits to society and natural ecosystems.

In South Florida drinking water is already experiencing saltwater intrusion.

Biscayne Bay Aquifer is the only source of drinking water for about 3 million people in Miami and Dade County. The highly permeable limestone provides fresh drinking water. but also allows easy saltwater intrusion. Rising sea levels cause saltwater to “intrude” further landward into the freshwater Biscayne Aquifer, increasing the vulnerability of the region’s drinking water to saltwater intrusion. 

Additionally, rising sea levels push salt water further into the Everglades, potentially causing loss of wetland plants and habitat. With saltwater intrusion, Miami’s drinking water will be more expensive and will impact marginalized communities disproportionately

About the Author: Ines Rosales is a Senior at ­­­­Cypress Bay High School and volunteer member of Flamingo Gardens’ Eco-teers. Her blog The Climate Change Impacts is Part 2 of the “Climate Change 101” presentation by the Eco-teers as part of their November 2022 Climate Fair. Look for Part 3, Climate Change Impacts to Marginalized Communities, to follow next month.

Your Guide To Unique Holiday Gift Giving

As the holidays approach, we hear more and more about the experience-based and personalized gifts trends- the gifts that keep giving. Flamingo Gardens has these types of unique options of gift giving to thrill everyone on your list.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving – A Gift of Membership is a gift of a year filled with experiences. Flamingo Gardens’ doors are open to your gift recipient every day (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) a year at no cost. They can enjoy a leisurely day at the gardens, ride the narrated tram to our back acreage, have close up visits with 550+ wildlife, stroll through lush, natural gardens, and take a tour of the Historic Wray Home and The Gallery to see the latest exhibit.

Your gift membership recipient will be able to attend our spectacular daytime events as well with their member pass, including Flamingo Fest, Harvest Festival, Concerts in the Gardens Series, Flamingo Gardens Orchid Society Show, Exotic Plant Festival, and our summer exhibit in the gardens.

Members receive 20% discount on tickets for accompanying guests, free or discounted entry at reciprocal gardens and attractions, and 10% discounts on purchases at our Gift Shop and Food Services. Members receive an additional 10% off at Gift Shop and Food Services during the month of December.

Pick Up Something Special in our Gift Shop! Browse Flamingo Gardens’ Gift Shop for other unique gift ideas like puzzles, books, toys, stuffed animals, jewelry, home goods, and ornaments. Open daily 9:30am to 5pm.

Learn more and purchase Gift Memberships at https://flamingogardens.org/membership/.  

Need help? Contact [email protected] or call 954-473-2955.

Tribute Gift Tree Plaques make thoughtful gifts to celebrate the lives of those who have held a special place in their hearts for Flamingo Gardens. Make a tribute donation to honor a loved one, pay tribute to a friend, or simply mark a special occasion. Tree plaques are available with a minimum $500 donation. It typically takes 4-6 weeks for plaques to be installed. The gift of a Tribute Plaque includes a 1-Year Membership (up to Family Level).

For more information or to order your plaque, visit https://flamingogardens.org/donate-flamingo-gardens and go to the “Tribute Gifts” section.

Please note that Champion trees and other distinctive trees are not available at the $500 price. To find out what trees are available, please email [email protected] or call 954-473-2955.

Food & Wine Benefit Tickets are a perfect gift for those on your list who like to step out in style. Our 10th Annual Benefit, A Party in Pink, will take place at Flamingo Gardens as the last pink streaks of sunset give way to the glow of the full moon and pink twinkle lights. Guests will be tickled pink over tastings of appetizers, main dishes, and desserts, paired with wine and craft beer tastings.  Enjoy captivating live music, visits from favorite Animal Ambassadors, and exciting live and silent auctions.

Tickets are $125 for members, $150 for nonmembers, and a table of ten is $1,250.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://flamingogardens.org/events-calendar/a-party-in-pink-10th-annual-food-wine-benefit.

Animal Adoption Certificates for your animal lover friends! Your gift recipient will become a wildlife guardian at Flamingo Gardens with your donation of $50. Adoption Program is a symbolic adoption of one of our wildlife species. The recipient will receive a personalized adoption certificate, fact sheet about the chosen adopted wildlife species, and two free passes to Flamingo Gardens.

To make a donation for an Animal Adoption, visit https://flamingogardens.org/donate-flamingo-gardens/ and click on “Adopt an Animal.”

Broward Attractions and Museums Month (BAMM) September 1-30, 2022

September is Broward Attractions and Museums Month (BAMM), which encourages visitors to experience the diversity of cultural treasures throughout Broward County. During September, visitors may buy one admission and get a second admission of equal or lesser value for free to Flamingo Gardens and 12 other participating museums and attractions in Broward County. Five additional museums offer free admission as part of the BAMM promotion.

Adventures await you right outside your door! Discover new artists or ancient artifacts, ride on a riverboat or an airboat, explore a botanical garden and historic house or feed a flamingo…and so much more.

Visitors just need to mention “BAMM” or inquire about the offer at the facility’s ticket booth to purchase one regular price admission and get a second admission of equal or lesser value for free.

Flamingo Gardens’ Buy One Get One (BOGO) admission offer is only available at the Gift Shop Box Office. BOGO is not available online.

Participating attractions and museums* include:

  • Art and Culture Center/ Hollywood (BOGO admission)
  • Bonnet House (BOGO admission *self-guided tours only)
  • Butterfly World (BOGO admission)
  • Coral Springs Museum of Art (Free admission)
  • Flamingo Gardens (BOGO admission)
  • Historic Stranahan House (BOGO admission *online reservation required)
  • History Fort Lauderdale (BOGO admission)
  • International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum (Free admission *partially open)
  • Jungle Queen Riverboats (BOGO *90-minute cruises only *online reservation required)
  • Museum of Discovery and Science (BOGO *Tuesdays excluded. Adult purchase required)
  • NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale (BOGO admission)
  • Old Davie School Historical Museum (BOGO admission *online reservation required)
  • Plantation Historical Museum (Free admission)
  • Sawgrass Recreation Park (BOGO admission *online reservation required)
  • Stonewall National Museum & Archives (Free admission)
  • Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts (BOGO *adult purchase required)
  • World AIDS Museum (Free admission)
  • Young At Art Museum (BOGO admission)

Broward Attractions and Museums Month is September 1-30, 2022. Visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BAMMsfl for additional information.

*Participating organizations may have additional restrictions or blackout dates that apply, as well as additional discounted offers available. No other offers, discounts or coupons may apply. Visitors should check each attraction’s website or call for details, hours of operation, and COVID19 updates before visiting.

Nathian Quiles Volunteer of The Month

The Volunteer of the Month for May is Nathian Quiles. 

He’s only been volunteering since February and has already completed more than 110 hours! 

Nathian has been particularly helpful in assisting us during our special events. He has also helped us with weddings and can very regularly be seen organizing our parking lots when we have a lot of guest. 

He’s a well-rounded volunteer and this month he’s really stepped up to help us. We are very thankful to have him here with us. Thanks Nathian!

The Importance of Mangroves: Blue Carbon

If you live in Florida or any coastal area for that matter, you probably know that mangroves are important to the local ecosystem and for coastline stabilization. But did you know that mangroves are important to combat climate change as a carbon sink too? 

Most scientists agree that carbon dioxide and atmospheric gases emitted by human activity are responsible for changing the world’s climate in adverse ways. Our ocean and coasts provide a natural way of reducing the impact of greenhouse gases on our atmosphere, through sequestration, or storage of carbon dioxide. 

The coastal ecosystems of sea grasses, salt marshes, and mangroves capture and hold large stores of carbon deposited by vegetation and various natural processes over centuries of time in large carbon sinks referred to as “blue carbon.” These ecosystems sequester and store more carbon per unit area than terrestrial forests, and at a faster rate, and can do so for millions of years. The ability of these coastal ecosystems to remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere faster and longer than forests makes them significant for their role in mitigating climate change. 

Coastal habitats, including the Everglades, account for only 2% of total ocean and waterways coverage of Earth. Despite their relatively small area of coverage, coastal habitats account for nearly half of the total carbon sequestered by the ocean and waterways! 

Coastal habitat conservation is important to maintain the “blue carbon” sink and an important component of climate change mitigation too. When coastal ecosystems are damaged, an enormous amount of carbon is release back into the atmosphere. Conversely, new and restored coastal habitats help to capture more carbon from the atmosphere. So, protecting and restoring coastal habitats is a great way to mitigate climate change.  

When we protect and establish coastal habitats, we also provide other health benefits to people and the environment, such as recreational opportunities, storm surge protection, and protective habitat for fish, birds, and animals. 

Everyone can help protect coastal habitats and improve blue carbon sinks to mitigate climate change. Whether by planting mangroves, cleaning up trash, supporting environmental protection organizations, or helping to spread awareness of environmental issues, you can help our planet and make a difference.  

 

For more information about blue carbon visit: 

https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/blue-carbon 

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/bluecarbon.html 

 

2022 ‘SOUTH FLORIDA ADVENTURE PASS

2022 ‘SOUTH FLORIDA ADVENTURE PASS 

ON SALE MAY 15, 2022

 

 4 Broward attractions for one low price equals a summer full of savings and family fun!

 

 

 

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (April 22, 2022) — Four local attractions have joined together to offer the ‘South Florida Adventure Pass’ for the seventh year. For one unbeatably low price, locals and tourists can enjoy unlimited admission this

summer to Butterfly World, Flamingo Gardens, Museum of Discovery and

Science and Sawgrass Recreation Park.

 

From animal encounters to interactive activities and airboat rides, the South

Florida Adventure Pass boasts experiences of all kinds. The Pass will be sold at each of the participating attractions beginning May 15, 2022, granting
unlimited admission to each location until September 30, 2022. 

 

Cost

$50 plus tax- Adults ages 13+

$40 plus tax- Children ages 3-12.

 

Flamingo Gardens Members get $10 off Adult and Child passes

 

For more information, please visit southfloridaadventurepass.com.

 

# # #

 

Butterfly World – Enjoy free admission to the World’s Largest Butterfly and Bird Park. “Open-air” aviaries with a breathtaking display of 20,000 exotic butterflies & tropical birds from all around the world. Explore and interact with rare, delicate butterflies in a South Florida Tropical Rain Forest. Discover metamorphosis in our Research Facility. Vine Maze, Live Bug Zoo, Lorikeet Encounter where you can hand-feed small parrots, Butterfly Museum and Insectarium, Swinging Suspension Bridge, Botanical Gardens, Gift & Plant Shop, Outdoor Cafes. Tradewinds Park weekend/holiday gate fee may be in effect. 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 954-977-4434; butterflyworld.com.

 

Flamingo Gardens – Enjoy free admission to this botanical garden & wildlife sanctuary. Established in 1927, Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest eco-adventures and botanical gardens in South Florida.  The 60-acre not-for-profit botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary contains over 3000 tropical and sub-tropical species of plants and trees and is home to the largest collection of Florida native wildlife! Visit the historic Wray Home Museum and take a narrated tram tour through native jungle growth and wetlands. See alligators, bobcats, panthers, peacocks, a bear, and more. You can even feed the flamingos! 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33330; 954-473-2955; FlamingoGardens.org.

 

Museum of Discovery and Science – Discover a full day of Inspiring Science and Family Fun! Fly into MODS for more than 150,000 square feet of mind-blowing boredom-busting interactive exhibits, Florida’s only aviation-themed Makerspace, wildlife habitats, and an outdoor Science Park. Families can enjoy super STEM science shows, demonstrations, wildlife encounters, and more. Catch a thrilling documentary film on our AutoNation IMAX 3D Theater GIANT screen, large enough to show a whale life-size! 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312; 954-713-0930; Mods.org.

 

Sawgrass Recreation Park – Enjoy a thrilling 30-minute Airboat Adventure ride for free. Discover South Florida’s Top Eco Airboat Adventure! Glide over the sawgrass and cattails and let your spirit soar as you hear the stories of this unique environment and explore exhibit areas featuring adopted and rescued reptiles, and the chance to meet an alligator! Fun for all ages! Visit the Gator Grill, Sweet Tooth Café, and Gift Shop. Call to make your reservations for your visit. 1006 N. Highway 27, Weston, FL 33327; 954-389-0202; EvergladesTours.com.

90th Anniversary Celebration


2017 is the
90th Anniversary of Flamingo Groves, the forerunner of Flamingo Gardens. The
founders, Floyd L. and Jane Wray, moved to Florida in 1925.  They were thrilled with their new home and the beauty of South Florida.  He had a good job selling property in Hollywood-by-the-Sea.
Wray, Hollywood Florida

Then came 1926.  It was not a good year for South Florida or the Wrays. The real estate boom was
ending, and on September 19, a devastating
hurricane made landfall.

1926 HurricaneYou can only
imagine how the Wrays felt after the storm subsided.  They were grateful they fared the storm better than most. But, with the real estate business
gone, Floyd knew he had to pick himself up and consider his options. He decided
on a venture that would take him in a whole new direction —
citrus. He believed he could make a go of it if he bought inexpensive land in the drained Everglades and grew a new
variety of summer oranges, and he was right.
By the end of 1926, the new plan was in motion. Mittie Meyers Chaplin writing about
her pioneer family noted they
sold three hundred and twenty acres of Everglade land six miles west of Davie and
somewhat higher than sea level than elsewhere to a young man. That
young man was Floyd L. Wray.
Citrus IndustryFlamingo
Groves was incorporated on January 2, 1927. The first bare-root Lu Gim Gong summer-ripening orange tree was
planted in the drained Everglades on February 22.  Forty acres were
planted that first year.
Beautiful
exotic botanical gardens were created with the
help of the Department of Agriculture, which provided
plants and seeds from around the world. 
A flamingo pond was added and peacocks roamed the grounds.  Flamingo Groves became a South Florida show place. Other growers began to plant citrus until
western Davie was almost a continuous citrus grove.

Broward County FL
Wray built retail outlets for his fruit and other citrus-related items, and the first modern packing and shipping plant in Broward County.  He was one of the first elected commissioners that turned Bay Mable Harbor into Port Everglades, a world-class shipping and cruise facility, in only five years.  He
continued to expand the groves and included virtually every variety of
citrus and other fruit trees suited to the climate.  Flamingo Groves covered nearly 2,000
acres at its peak. 
Florida AttractionsAlthough all
the other groves eventually made way to development, Jane Wray had the foresight to create a
foundation to preserve the best 60 acres. Today, visitors from the state, country, and all around the world enjoy the botanical gardens and native wildlife exhibits. The historic Wray Home Museum shares Floyd and Jane’s history and their legacy.    

It all began with that one tree planted so many years ago. Join
us in celebrating the 90th Anniversary at Flamingo Gardens this
year.   

More History
The First Tree Was Planted in 1927
Flamingo Groves/Flamingo Gardens: Always a great place to party!
Flamingo Gardens a Spectacular Setting with an Eventful Past