Wow a great discovery today the Ft. Lauderdale Garden Club! Located inside Hugh Taylor Birch State…read morePark. I followed the signs once inside the Park and if you head to your first right at the very end of the parking lot to the east end is the Garden Club. Since coming back home today I explored their website WWW.FLGC.ORG and it gives a little more insight as well as calendar of events that are now held on Zoom due to Covid. As I took the paths in the gardens I got to see some familiar plants and trees and some new ones too. I especially am fond of the bromeliads and they had a couple varieties that I have not seen nor do I have in my gardens. The colors were brilliant and really added to an enjoyable walk. I also saw a Jamaican Croton that I have not seen in years. I had one many years ago at my last home and gardens but find they are not readily available to buy. Loved taking photos that I shared on this page for future reference and inspiration for my own gardens. Definitely will return for one of their Events after Covid has ended. In the meantime I will definitely check out their website for their next events.

I had the opportunity to take a nature tour at Snyder Park with a Heal the Planet Park Specialist,…read moreNada Vergili. She was great !!! She was so knowledgeable about the plants, uses, benefits and botanical name and background..I learned so much... She was so enthusiastic and positive about everything she shared with us..it was a great learning experience. I learned about Heal the Planet and the things they do to make our Earth a better place...from conservation to recycling to clean up, etc. Their mission is to make our Planet a better place to live, which includes... - To safeguard our planet, for our children and future generations. - Believing that the health of the planet is each individual's personal responsibility. - Believing in being informed and making self-honoring choices, for the greater good. - Believing in using our resources to raise the level of consciousness for all humanity. A great non profit. I dropped a contribution in their donation box, I really believe in what they do....

Heal the Planet is a non profit founded by Kenneth Fisher. At 17 he purchased his first ice cream…read morebusiness and by 19 he owned four residential properties. His businesses expanded to include retail and telecommunications. Fisher always wanted to give back and he sat on the board of directors of several non profits and supported the fundraising arms of other charities. After enrolling in a Master's Program in Spiritual Psychology program he came up with the idea for Heal the Planet, a charity focused on "improving life on the​ ​planet through educating, inspiring, and empowering the next generation of children." They are "committed to improving the quality of life for our planet and all its inhabitants through education, action, and utilizing our power of choice. We provide free education and resources aimed at increasing awareness about nutrition, mindfulness, and consciousness in alignment with a better quality of life and a more sustainable planet." I recently became aware of Heal the Planet when I visited their charming gift store on Federal Highway. It is a curated artisan gift shop that sells sustainable and eco friendly items. I was so impressed with the shop that I wanted to learn more about them. Their programs include The Seed Program, six one hour sessions that connects children to the world and their place in it, Young Seeds in the Park, a three hour course for children 4-17, Heal the Planet Sports, Earth Day events, Beach Clean Up, Young Planet leaders, Contest, Food Forest Gardens, and the Spread Love Mural Challenge. They also hold nature based learning for kids, the Young Seeds Program and adult workshops and nature tours at Snyder Park The more I learn about Heal the Planet the more impressed I am. I love their environmental message and their focus on educating children although there are events for adults as well. It is amazing how much they offer the community. For more details, times, and dates, check out their website.

I came to Snyder Park for a meeting and ran into Park Naturalist, Joan Starr. She wanted to give me…read morea tour of the Food Forest. When we arrived, she took me to the edible garden. To say I had my very own smorgasbord is an understatement. She educated me and I grazed on different herbs, plants, and edible flowers. They have lots of fruit trees. Before we left, she cut me a piece of Cuban Oregano. I'll be making spaghetti sauce tonight. The Food Forest is open year around and they even have programs that will teach about the plants and trees.

Really nice community center with so much to offer. They offer weekly classes for both adults and…read morechildren, including dance, exercise, etc. They have a food pantry twice a month for those in need. You can rent out the party rooms for a fee which includes tables & chairs. You also come here to pay for park pavilion rentals which aren't expensive. Very nice facility and staff have been nice and helpful anytime I've come in

I attended Food Truck Fridays. It's every last Friday of the month from 5 - 9 PM…read more There was a dj there and the music was really good. I didn't see any games there. It was a cool location and setup. However, there wasn't a lot of food options or trucks there! There were like 5 food trucks. I did like they had smoothie and dessert trucks there. Nice space for the kids to come run around. Wish there were games for the kids. You can bring your own table and chairs to vibe to the music. It's family-friendly fun times!!

Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital Review - Coral Springs, FL…read more Rating: 2/5 Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital is a nonprofit organization dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation and education, and I genuinely respect the work they do for injured and displaced animals. However, as a visitor attraction, I found the experience underwhelming and left feeling disappointed by both the limited exhibits and the overall condition of the facility. Animal Exhibits: The center houses a collection of educational ambassador animals, including: * Red-tailed Hawk * Red-shouldered Hawk * Barred Owl * Eastern Screech Owl * Black Vulture * American Alligator * Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot * Fancy Pigeons and Domestic Pigeons * Guinea Fowl * African Spur-Thighed Tortoise * Ball Python * Apalachicola Kingsnake * Gray Ratsnake * Red Ratsnake * Curly-Haired Tarantula * Bearded Dragon * Everglades Crayfish * Eagle Map Turtle * False Map Turtle While all of the species listed were present, many of the enclosures were small and the overall exhibit collection felt limited. Unfortunately, several exhibits appeared empty during our visit, and it was often difficult to determine whether the animals were simply hiding or no longer on display. Ironically, the most exciting animal encounter of the day wasn't part of the exhibits at all--it was spotting a large Giant Ameiva lizard roaming the grounds. Facility & Grounds: The facility appeared somewhat run-down and overgrown in several areas. While I understand resources are likely directed toward animal care and rehabilitation, the grounds lacked the polished appearance many visitors may expect from a wildlife or nature center. The walking paths were uneven and not wheelchair or stroller friendly, which may make navigation difficult for some visitors. Educational Value: The center provides educational information about many of its resident animals and serves an important role in wildlife rehabilitation within South Florida. Learning about the stories behind some of the animals on display added some value to the visit and helped highlight the organization's mission. Gift Shop: I always enjoy supporting conservation organizations, so I visited the gift shop before leaving. I was surprised to find there were no magnets, keychains, postcards, pins, or other common souvenirs available. It was mostly T-shirts and fidget toys. They did, however, have a unique collection of handmade earrings created from recycled cereal boxes, along with several pinned insect displays that were interesting to browse. I ultimately purchased a sticker simply to help support the center's work. Things Worth Knowing: * This is primarily a wildlife rehabilitation facility rather than a traditional zoo or nature center. As such, much of the organization's work takes place through the animal hospital, which is not open to the public. * They also offer programs for birthday parties and small groups, which may provide a more interactive experience than a standard self-guided visit. * Admission is only $2-5 per person, and children under five are admitted free. *The entire facility only took us about 15 minutes to go through at a slow, comfortable pace. This included the main building, gift shop, and walking grounds. Final Thoughts: Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital performs valuable work rehabilitating and caring for wildlife, and I respect the mission behind the organization. However, from a visitor perspective, the experience felt limited. The small exhibit collection, lack of visible animals, overgrown grounds, and short visit duration made it difficult to recommend as a destination attraction. It's important to remember that this facility's primary purpose is wildlife rehabilitation rather than entertainment, and visitors should set their expectations accordingly. If your primary goal is supporting wildlife rehabilitation efforts, a visit or donation is worthwhile. If you're looking for an engaging wildlife center or nature attraction, you may find yourself wishing there was more to see.

A fun little nature center with a good amount of animals. We saw a medium alligator, baby gators,…read moretortoises, birds etc. It is a donations based entry fee but it was very reasonable. There are a lot of types of animals even though it is not a huge place. Kinda great for young kids.

I thought of joining and no sooner had I inquired about joining I was asked whether I worked. I…read morewas immediately told there meeting times would be held at times I was working without disclosing my work hours. The second time I inquired I was referred to the Parkland club. Not friendly to people who work (hold jobs).

I have been a member of this club for about 10 years. I worked full time up until this year…read more While it is true we hold meetings during the day, the second Thursday of the month at 10AM, I felt it worthwhile to take off the day or rearrange my work schedule to accommodate this club. We do fantastic field trips and have very informative speakers and workshops. I have transformed my yard into a garden paradise, the majority of the plants being plants from other members. We also do many charitable projects, such as planting a garden in the Veterans park most recently. We also have annual scholarships for high school students. Great club!