At Flamingo Gardens, we believe that nature is not just something to admire—it’s something to engage with, learn from, and protect. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Everglades Outdoor Classroom, a new initiative that will bring immersive environmental education to our visitors. In collaboration with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and funded through a dual grant from the Community Foundation of Broward, this project will connect two prominent Broward County locations—Flamingo Gardens and the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)—to inspire a deeper understanding of Florida’s unique ecosystems.
A Corridor of Conservation
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is designed to highlight our vital connection to nature, focusing on the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the impact of urban sprawl on native wildlife. While MODS will explore urban wildlife, Flamingo Gardens will immerse visitors in the rich biodiversity of Everglades wildlife, with emphasis on the importance of conservation.
Through engaging interpretive signage, hands-on learning activities, and natural materials that reflect the landscape, our outdoor classroom will provide a dynamic space for both facilitated and self-guided exploration for both children and adults. The experience will underscore how our own backyards serve as essential extensions of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, helping to maintain crucial habitat connectivity.
What to Expect
• Flamingo Gardens’ Everglades Outdoor Classroom will be a thoughtfully designed outdoor learning space that will:
• Engage visitors of all ages through interactive exhibits, sensory experiences, and nature-inspired creativity.
• Showcase keystone species of the Everglades, illustrating their role in maintaining ecological balance.
• Provide accessible learning opportunities as an extension of the Mary N. Porter Learning Center, ensuring inclusivity for those with visual, hearing, and mobility challenges.
• Empower our visitors and Eco-teer volunteers to lead sustainability initiatives and advocate for climate resilience.
• Strengthen community awareness of how local conservation efforts contribute to the greater Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Flamingo Gardens has a proud history of offering specialized educational programs for groups such as the Lighthouse of Broward, Deliver the Dream, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Everglades Outdoor Classroom will build upon this tradition by creating even more opportunities for hands-on environmental education for communities with special needs.
Building a Lasting Impact
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is more than just an exhibit—it’s a movement toward a healthier, more resilient environment for all. The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is just the first of a series of planned exhibit spaces that together will combine to be the Everglades Discovery Trail. By strengthening environmental literacy, inspiring conservation action, and emphasizing the importance of wildlife corridors, we hope to cultivate a legacy of stewardship that benefits generations to come.
We invite you to join us on this journey of discovery and conservation. Stay tuned for updates as we bring the Everglades Outdoor Classroom to life and mark your calendars for our Earth Day 2025 grand opening!
Together, we can make a difference—one lesson, one connection, and one backyard at a time.
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is in collaboration with:
Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission
Museum of Discovery and Science
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Support has been provided by the following funds at the
Community Foundation of Broward:
Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund
Mary Alex Mackenzie Community Impact Fund
and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation
With additional support by:
Bass Pro Shop & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund
Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation
Helen Ingham Foundation
Lakeside Foundations
and numerous private donors
