List of nature centers in Florida

There are nature centers and environmental education centers throughout the state of Florida. To use the sortable tables: click on the icons at the top of each column to sort that column in alphabetical order; click again for reverse alphabetical order.

Name Location County Region Summary
Amelia Island Nature CenterAmelia IslandNassauGreater Jacksonvillewebsite, operated by Amelia Island Plantation
Anne Kolb Nature CenterHollywoodBrowardSouthwebsite, located in the municipal West Lake Park, 1,500 acres of coastal mangrove wetlands, 3,500-gallon saltwater aquarium
Apalachicola Environmental Education and Training CenterEastpointFranklinFlorida Panhandlewebsite, operated by the State, features tanks and exhibits about the river, bay and gulf habitats found in Apalachicola
Arch Creek Park Museum & Nature CenterNorth MiamiMiami-DadeSouth8 acres, operated by the County, museum features Native American artifacts
Archbold Biological StationVenusHighlandsCentral5,192.63-acre (21 km2) research institute, open to visitors, environmental education programs
Audubon Center for Birds of PreyMaitlandOrangeCentralwebsite, raptor rehabilitation and environmental education center, operated by the National Audubon Society
Audubon HouseVero BeachIndian River CountyCentralwebsite, an environmental education center surrounded by 444 acre Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area, operated by the Pelican Island Audubon Society
Audubon Resource Center at Lettuce LakeTampaHillsboroughTampa Bay AreaOperated by the Tampa Audubon Society in the 240-acre park
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge & Education CenterOrlandoOrangeCentralFacebook site, wildlife rehabilitation center
Bahia Honda State ParkMarathonMonroeSouth524 acres, Sand and Sea Nature Center features displays about local sea and shore life, including corals, shells, crabs, sea urchins, drift seeds, sea sponges and sea turtles
Barrier Island Sanctuary Management and Education CenterMelbourne BeachBrevardCentral34 acres in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, operated by the County, partners with Sea Turtle Conservancy for sea turtle guided walks
Bill Sadowski Park and Nature CenterMiamiMiami-DadeSouthwebsite, operated by the County, 30 acres
Blowing Rocks PreserveJupiter IslandMartinTreasure Coast73 acres, owned by the Nature Conservancy, Hawley Education Center features rotating natural history and art exhibits
Bonita Nature PlaceBonita SpringsLeeSouthwestwebsite, operated by the City, 30 acres, preserve for gopher tortoises, bee house, bat house
Boyd Hill Nature PreserveSt. PetersburgPinellasTampa Bay AreaOperated by St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation, 245 acres, features the Boyd Hill Environmental Center
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education CenterTarpon SpringsPinellasTampa Bay Area,800 acres, operated by the County
Busch Wildlife SanctuaryJupiterPalm BeachSouthwebsite, nature center and wildlife rehabilitation hospital
Calusa Nature Center and PlanetariumFort MyersLeeSouthwestIncludes the museum, 105 acres with three nature trails, a planetarium, butterfly and bird aviaries
Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning CenterRuskinHillsboroughTampa Bay Areawebsite, 160-acre preserve, environmental education and hands-on learning center
Castellow Hammock Preserve & Nature CenterMiamiMiami-DadeSouthwebsite, 112 acres, operated by the County
Cedar Point Environmental ParkEnglewoodCharlotteSouthwestwebsite, 115 acres with pine flatwoods, salt marsh, mangrove fringe and hammock areas, environmental center
Charlotte Harbor Environmental CenterPunta GordaCharlotteSouthwestwebsite, provides over 20 different educational programs, manages 8 environmentally sensitive lands and provides a total of over 8 miles of hiking trail and other recreational opportunities
Chinsegut Conservation CenterBrooksvilleHernandoTampa Bay Areawebsite, cover 408 of the 850 acres comprising Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area, managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Collier-Seminole State ParkNaplesCollierSouthwest7,271 acres of mangrove swamp, cypress swamps, salt marshes, mangrove river estuaries, and pine flatwoods, nature center
Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature CenterNaplesCollierSouthwest21 acres
Corkscrew Swamp SanctuaryNaplesCollierSouthwestOperated by the National Audubon Society, includes the Blair Audubon Center in the 13,000 acre swamp preserve
Crane Point Museum and Nature CenterMarathonMonroeSouth63 acres, includes the natural history museum, trails, wild bird rehabilitation center
Crowley Natural and Cultural History CenterSarasotaSarasotaSouthwestwebsite, 185 acres, includes trails, pioneer museum and historic buildings, wild and farm animals
Crystal Springs PreserveCrystal SpringsPascoCentral525-acre sanctuary with Magnitude 2 spring system, nature center and learning lab
Daggerwing Nature CenterBoca RatonPalm BeachSouthwebsite, 40 acres, located in South County Regional Park, operated by Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation
Deerfield Island ParkDeerfield BeachBrowardSouthwebsite, accessible by boat only, 53.3-acre nature-oriented park with guided nature walks, trails, water shuttle
Discovery Center at Tuscawilla ParkOcalaMarionCentralOperated by the City of Ocala, environmental and science education[1]
Ed Yarborough Nature Center at Geneva Wilderness AreaGenevaSeminoleCentralwebsite, 180 acres, operated by the County
Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research CenterHobe SoundMartinTreasure CoastLocated in the 11,500-acre Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Enchanted Forest SanctuaryTitusvilleBrevardCentralwebsite, 471-acre nature preserve, management & education center features hands-on exhibit room, discovery room
Environmental Center at Miami Dade CollegeKendallMiami-DadeSouthwebsite, 9-acre nature preserve, features a lake, an endangered pine rockland, hammocks, butterfly gardens, native plantings, an organic garden and a variety of animals
Environmental Learning CenterVero BeachIndian RiverTreasure Coastwebsite, 64 acres, environment of the Indian River Lagoon
Erna Nixon Park Nature CenterMelbourneBrevardCentral54 acres, operated by the County
Fern Forest Nature CenterCoconut CreekBrowardSouthwebsite, operated by the County, 247-acre Designated Urban Wilderness Area
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery CenterKey WestMonroeSouthNative plants and animals of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, both on land and underwater
Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation CenterTavernierMonroeSouthwebsite, wild bird rehabilitation center, boardwalk trail past aviaries of rescued but unreleasable birds
Florida Museum of Natural HistoryGainesvilleAlachuaNorth CentralExhibits include fossils, butterfly rainforest, recreated southwest Florida mangrove forest and sea grass estuary, area Native Americans, Northwest Florida ecosystems, outdoor wildflower and butterfly garden, trails through 60-acre Natural Area Teaching Lab
Florida Oceanographic Coastal CenterHutchinson IslandMartinTreasure Coast57 acres, focus is Florida's coastal ecosystems
George C. McGough Nature ParkLargoPinellasTampa Bay Areawebsite, operated by the City, nature center houses live animal exhibits and hands-on activities for children, outdoor birds of prey
Grassy Waters PreserveWest Palm BeachPalm BeachSouthwebsite, operated by the City of West Palm Beach, 23 square mile wetlands ecosystem with nature center
Green Cay Nature CenterBoynton BeachPalm BeachSouth100 acres, operated by the County
Greynolds ParkMiamiMiami-DadeSouthOperated by the County, 249 acres
Guana River Environmental CenterPonte Vedra BeachSt. JohnsGreater JacksonvilleExhibits and education about the ecosystem of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
Gumbo Limbo Nature CenterBoca RatonPalm BeachSouth20 acres of protected barrier island, operated by the City, includes saltwater tanks displaying different South Florida marine habitats, sea turtle rehabilitation center
Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery CenterFort PierceSt. LucieTreasure CoastExhibits about marine environments and the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University
Hobe Sound Nature CenterJupiter IslandMartinTreasure CoastProvides support for the 1,035-acre Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge's volunteer, environmental education, interpretation and visitor services programs
Homer Powell Nature CenterTitusvilleBrevardCentralwebsite, operated by the County in 25-acre Wuesthoff Park
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State ParkHomosassa SpringsCitrusTampa Bay AreaPark features manatee observation area
Honeymoon Island State ParkDunedinPinellasTampa Bay Area385 acres, Rotary Centennial Nature Center features exhibits about the natural and cultural history of Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands and an elevated observation deck
J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife RefugeSanibelLeeSouthwest5,200 acres, education center features interactive exhibits on refuge ecosystems, the work of "Ding" Darling, migratory flyways, the National Wildlife Refuge System and a hands-on area for children
Johnnie Johnson Nature Center at Lori Wilson ParkCocoa BeachBrevardCentralwebsite, 32 acres, operated by the County
Ladell Brothers Outdoor Environmental CenterMadisonMadisonNorth Floridawebsite, 20 acres, located on the campus of North Florida Community College
Lemon Bay Park and Environmental CenterEnglewoodSarasotaSouthwest210-acre nature-based County park, black mangrove forest, mangrove fringe along the shoreline, pine and scrubby flatwoods, educational classes, guided nature and bird walks
Loggerhead Marinelife CenterJuno BeachPalm BeachSouthEducation center and sea turtle hospital, features live sea turtles, aquaria, displays of local wildlife, educational displays about South Florida's marine environment
Long Key Natural Area & Nature CenterDavieBrowardSouthwebsite, operated by the County, 164.8 acres, exhibits on natural history and area Native Americans, elevated oak hammock, 14-acre orange grove, restored wetland marshes, man-made ponds and canals
Lyonia Environmental CenterDeltonaVolusiaCentralwebsite, located in the Deltona Regional Library complex, adjacent to the 360-acre Lyonia Preserve, operated by the County
Manatee Observation and Education CenterFort PierceSt. LucieTreasure Coastwebsite, waterfront environmental education and wildlife viewing center, touch tank, aquaria
Margaret Hames Nature CenterPalm BayBrevardCentralLocated in over 100-acre Turkey Creek Sanctuary, operated by the City
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature CenterKey BiscayneMiami-DadeSouthLocated in the 808-acre Crandon Park, cooperative project of three partners: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department and the not-for-profit community support group
Marine Science CenterPonce InletVolusiaCentralOperated by the County, includes marine environment exhibits, sea bird and sea turtle rehabilitation
MacArthur Beach State ParkNorth Palm BeachPalm BeachSouth225 acres, includes William T. Kirby Nature Center
Moccasin Lake Nature ParkClearwaterPinellasTampa Bay Area51 acres, operated by the City
Morningside Nature CenterGainesvilleAlachuaNorth CentralOperated by the City, 278 acres, includes living history farm
Oakland Nature PreserveOaklandOrangeCentralwebsite, 128 acres on Lake Apopka]], environmental education center
Okeeheelee Nature CenterWest Palm BeachPalm BeachSouthwebsite, 90 acres, operated by the County
Oscar Scherer State Park Nature CenterOspreySarasotaSouthwest1,400 acres
Oxbow Eco-CenterPort St. LucieSt. LucieTreasure Coastwebsite, operated by the County, environmental learning center located on a 225-acre preserve
Paynes Prairie Preserve State ParkMicanopyAlachuaNorth Central22,000 acres, exhibits in the visitor center, nature programs
PEAR ParkLeesburgLakeCentralwebsite, 268 acres, operated by the County, park includes nature center with a geology lab, trails. demonstration gardens, observation pavilions, viewing blind
Pine Jog Environmental Education CenterWest Palm BeachPalm BeachSouth150 acres, a unit of the College of Education of Florida Atlantic University
Polk's Nature Discovery CenterLakelandPolkTampa Bay AreaOperated by the County on the 1,267-acre Circle B Bar Reserve
Ridge Audubon CenterBabson ParkPolkTampa Bay Areawebsite, 3 acres, owned by the National Audubon Society, home to the Ridge Audubon Society
River CenterJupiterPalm BeachSouthwebsite, operated by the Loxahatchee River District, features live aquatic tanks, interactive exhibits, and a touch tank that represent the river system from a freshwater cypress swamp to seagrass-dominated estuary to marine ecosystems
Riverwalk Park Nature CenterRockledgeBrevardCentralwebsite, 6 acres, operated by the County, habitats and animals of the Indian River Lagoon
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research ReserveNaplesCollierSouthwest110,000 acres, features a 2,300-gallon aquarium and interactive exhibits about the park's natural and cultural history
Rotary Park Nature CenterMerritt IslandBrevardCentralFacebook site, 37 acres, operated by the County
Roy Hyatt Environmental CenterCantonmentEscambiaFlorida Panhandlewebsite, 120 acres, owned and operated by the Escambia County School District, not open to the public
Sandoway Discovery CenterDelray BeachPalm BeachSouthFeatures large shell exhibit, coral reef pool with sharks
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Nature CenterSanibelLeeSouthwestwebsite, features a touch tank and exhibits teaching about the ecology of Sanibel and Captiva, 4 miles of trails
Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife HospitalCoral SpringsBrowardSouthwebsite, 5 acres, nature center and wildlife rehabilitation hospital
Secret Woods Nature CenterFort LauderdaleBrowardSouthwebsite, 57 acres, operated by the County
Sense of Wonder Nature CenterMiamiMiami-DadeSouthwebsite, 65 acres, operated by the County in A.D. (Doug) Barnes Park
Shamrock Park and Nature CenterVeniceSarasotaSouthwestwebsite, over 80 acres, County park, includes 1.2 mile paved multi-use trail
Silver River Museum and Environmental Education CenterOcalaMarionCentralProgram of the Marion County Public School System, located within the Silver Springs State Park, area cultural and natural history
Street Audubon Nature CenterWinter HavenPolkTampa Bay Areawebsite, owned by the National Audubon Society, 42 acres, operated by the Lake Region Audubon Society
St. Andrews State ParkPanama City BeachBayFlorida Panhandle1,200 acres, Environmental Interpretive Center features ecosystem dioramas, butterfly, bird egg and sea shell collections, sea turtle nesting exhibit, saltwater aquarium
Tallahassee MuseumTallahasseeLeonFlorida Panhandle52 acres, open-air museum, nature discovery center, 1880s period farm, Florida wildlife on outdoor and indoor display
Tree Hill Nature CenterJacksonvilleDuvalGreater Jacksonville50 acres, features a Florida natural history museum, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, and native animals
Tropical Audubon SocietyMiamiMiami-DadeSouthwebsite, Steinberg Nature Center, 3 acres, botanical garden
Trout Lake Nature CenterEustisLakeCentralwebsite, 230 acre wildlife preserve, includes the Charles Newell Hall and Museum and the Environmental Education Center
Water Works Environmental Education CenterPalatkaPutnamNortheastOwned by the City, focus is conservation of clean freshwater, open on a limited basis
Weedon Island PreserveSt. PetersburgPinellasTampa Bay AreaOwned by the County, features the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center
Wekiwa Springs State ParkApopkaOrangeCentral7,000 acres, nature center open on weekends
Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest FloridaPensacolaEscambiaFlorida Panhandlewebsite, wildlife rehabilitation center
Vera Carter Environmental Center at Tibet-Butler Preserve Orlando Orange Central website, provides a variety of exhibits and displays; hike on miles of trails and participate in ongoing environmental programs.
See also: List of nature centers in the United States

Resources

References
  1. "Facebook site". Discovery Center. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
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