Photos from left to right: red-shouldered hawk, great egret,
white ibis and American alligator.
NATURE NOW - NATURE WOW
Palm Beach County
Board of County Commissioners
Experience Palm Beach County’s
Natural Heritage
Welcome to Palm Beach County’s natural areas,
protected pieces of South Florida’s natural
heritage. Since October 1987, the Palm Beach
County Department of Environmental Resources
Management (ERM) has worked to preserve,
protect, and enhance the land and water resources
of Palm Beach County.
Palm Beach County
Department of Environmental Resources Management
2300 North Jog Road, Fourth Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33411-2743
(561) 233-2400
www.pbcgov.com/erm
www.facebook.com/pbcerm
Connect with the Department of Environmental Resources Management
and download our mobile maps.
In 1991 and 1999, voters approved a total of $250
million in bond funds for the purchase of lands for
conservation purposes. ERM now manages more
than 31,000 acres of Palm Beach County’s last wild
places. We invite you to visit these precious lands
and experience the nature of Palm Beach County.
Printed June 2015
Good Things to Know Before You Go Exploring...
Palm Beach County’s natural areas protect and
preserve hundreds of plant and animal species.
Some, like the endangered four-petal pawpaw
and Florida scrub-jay, have found one of their few
remaining homes in our natural areas. Others,
such as the state tree - cabbage palm - and state
bird - northern mockingbird - are common sights
along the trails.
What time are the natural areas open?
The natural areas are open from sunrise to sunset,
seven days a week, including holidays.
Every Litter Bit Hurts
Help us keep your natural areas clean. Please
dispose of trash responsibly.
What activities are allowed?
Passive, nature-based recreational activities such as
hiking, bird watching, photography, environmental
education, and scientific research.
Hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty
offer visitors a chance to see nature up close and
personal. Accessible concrete walking trails are
less than ½ mile in length. Dirt hiking trails range
from ¼ mile to three miles in length. Trail guides
are available online and at information kiosks on
select sites.
What is prohibited?
Hunting, collecting of plants or animals, alcoholic
beverages, fireworks, pets, skateboards, and motor
vehicles. A more complete description of the natural
areas rules is provided in County Ordinance 94-13,
as ammended.
Food For Thought
Feed yourself, not the animals. Potato chips are
not what nature intended as a healthy diet for
wildlife. When wild animals become dependent
on handouts, they may lose their natural fear of
humans and become dangerous.
Many of the natural areas are
part of the Northeast Everglades
Natural Area (NENA). NENA
contains approximately 165,000
acres of conservation lands providing residents
and visitors a wide range of nature-based outdoor
recreational opportunities. For more information
about NENA, visit www.pbcgov.com/erm/nena.
What activities require a permit?
Collection of plants or animals for scientific
research, camping, horseback riding, after-hours/
nighttime use, and use of watercraft in wetlands for
scientific research.
How can I obtain a permit?
Call or write to the Palm Beach County Department
of Environmental Resources Management. A fee
may be charged for the permit.
Where can I find additional information?
Visit www.pbcgov.com/erm, call (561) 233-2400,
or write to: Palm Beach County Department of
Environmental Resources Management, 2300 N.
Jog Road, 4th Floor, West Palm Beach, Florida,
33411-2743.
Too Close For Comfort
Every animal has its limit of how close you can
approach before it flees. Energy that the animal
uses to escape human disturbances is no longer
available for other activities, such as escaping
predators or raising young. You are a visitor to the
animal’s home, so respect its space.
Stay On The Straight And Narrow
Please use the designated nature and hiking trails
as you explore the natural areas. Going “off road”
can damage delicate plants and get the explorer
lost, especially on our larger sites.
Travel The Trails Safely
During the summer it doesn’t take long to become
seriously dehydrated while enjoying the great
outdoors. Drinking water is not available at the
natural areas. Bring a water bottle. Mosquitoes,
deer flies, and gnats are present in the natural areas
from late spring through autumn. Insect repellent is
recommended.
PALM BEACH COUNTY’S NATURAL AREAS
9. C-18 TRIANGLE
Indiantown Rd.
This 3-acre natural area preserves a small portion of the
Loxahatchee River shoreline. Even a tiny piece of protected
habitat makes a difference – osprey, great horned owl, West
Indian manatee and gopher tortoise have been recorded at
this site.
3. JUPITER INLET LIGHTHOUSE • Jupiter
7
Wetlands are found throughout this 138-acre natural area.
During the rainy season (June – November) up to three feet
of water fill the depression marshes. The water disappears
during the winter and spring, leaving behind muddy circles on
the land.
Be
e
9
Lin
e
y.
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8
Hw
10. JUPITER RIDGE • 1800 S. U.S. Highway 1, Jupiter
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13
Jupiter Ridge preserves 270 acres of
scrub – one of Florida’s rarest habitats.
Walk ancient sand dunes covered
with sand pine trees and pricklypear
cactus. The western edge of the natural
area meets the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway where red mangroves
flourish.
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4. DELAWARE SCRUB • 47 N. Delaware Blvd., Jupiter
A twenty-minute walk takes visitors through
a pine flatwoods forest, over a cypress
swamp, across desert-like scrub habitat,
and ends at a mangrove overlook. Wildlife
observed on the 16-acre site includes
gopher tortoises, wood ducks, and redbellied woodpeckers.
5. LIMESTONE CREEK • 6570 Church St., Jupiter
This 52-acre natural area protects
remnants of Limestone Creek –
a “blackwater” tributary of the
Loxahatchee
River.
Wetland
restoration along the C-18 Canal
provides habitat for wading birds,
manatees, and schools of fish.
6. CYPRESS CREEK • 10035 Indiantown Rd., Jupiter
A two-mile stretch of NENA’s Historic
Jupiter – Indiantown Trail passes through
the western half of this 2,041-acre natural
area. The multi-use trail allows hikers,
bikers, and equestrians access to several
wetland overlooks and shade shelters.
Additional hiking and equestrian trails
are located in the eastern portion of the natural area.
7. PINE GLADES • 14122 W. Indiantown Rd., Jupiter
A wetland wonderland, the 6,651acre Pine Glades Natural Area
attracts
colorful
wading
birds
including roseate spoonbill, great
blue heron, little blue heron and white
ibis. Restoration projects within the
natural area restored water levels and
removed invasive non-native plants.
8. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trailhead (LOST) •
18475 US 441 N, Canal Point
LOST is a developed parking lot with space for horse trailers
including a corral and pitcher pump. In the future LOST will
be a trailhead for both the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail and
the Ocean-to-Lake Hiking Trail; however, at this time, those
trail connections do not exist
12. HUNGRYLAND SLOUGH • 12385 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, West Palm Beach
A portion of the Ocean-to-Lake Hiking Trail
travels through this 3,004-acre natural
area. Hiking, biking, riding (equestrian)
and fishing are permitted from the
unimproved portion of NENA’s Pântano
Trail running along the banks of the C-18
Canal, providing views of the southern and
eastern borders of Hungryland Slough.
14. JUNO DUNES • 14200 S. U.S. Hwy. 1 (ocean-front tract)
14501 S. U.S. Hwy. 1 (west tract), Juno Beach
Visitors to the 569-acre Juno Dunes Natural Area can travel
from the Atlantic Ocean to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
The ocean-front tract has a great view of the surrounding area
atop an ancient sand dune. The west tract has several miles
of trails and floating docks to allow boaters access to the site.
Restrooms available at Loggerhead Park.
22
Okeechobee Blvd.
SYMBOL LEGEND
Observation
Tower
Bike Trail
Picnic Table
Boardwalk
Uncovered
Platform
Boat Dock
Covered
Platform
Canoe/Kayak
Accessible
Restroom
Canoe/Kayak
Launch
Shade Shelter
Equestrian
Trail
Hand Pump
(Nonpotable)
Fishing Pier
Wildlife Viewing
Marked
Hiking Trail
Parking
Information
Kiosk
Red Symbol:
Future facilities
The wet, low-lying areas of this 172-acre
natural area contain giant leather fern and
cypress. The drier ridges are home to slash
pine and saw palmetto. More than 5,000
red mangrove seedlings were planted around
the tidal pond overlook to restore wetland
habitat. Animals observed on the site include
great horned owl, red-bellied woodpecker,
and eastern gray squirrel.
WANT MORE?
28. ROSEMARY SCRUB • 2901 N. Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach
One of our smallest natural areas, the
14-acre Rosemary Scrub is named for
a plant related to a familiar cooking
herb – the Florida rosemary. Other
plants found on the site include netted
pawpaw, cabbage palm, nodding
pinweed, and several species of native
bromeliads.
29. OCEAN RIDGE • Corrine St., Ocean Ridge
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Use this legend as a reference for
facilities and amenities at each of
the natural areas listed in this guide.
Wheelchair
Accessible
21. ROYAL PALM BEACH PINES • Royal Palm Beach
Main Entrance: 110 Nature’s Way • North Entrance: 13500 40th St.
The Ocean Ridge Natural Area is
accessible by boat, bicycle, and on foot.
Red, black, and white mangrove trees
dominate the landscape. These trees
play an important role in the life cycle of
many animal species, including wading
birds, fish, and crabs.
Lake Worth Rd.
24
Hypoluxo Rd.
28
Boynton Beach Blvd.
Woolbright Rd.
Wetlands cover more than 40% of this 772-acre site. The
natural area attracts many birds, including bald eagle, redshouldered hawk, and Florida sandhill crane. Other animals
sighted include bobcat, southern cricket frog, and eastern box turtle.
30. SEACREST SCRUB • 3400 S. Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach
The 54-acre Seacrest Scrub Natural
Area is a green island of wilderness in
the middle of an urban landscape. It is
home to the protected gopher tortoise.
Other animals observed on the site
include American redstart, green anole,
and eastern gray squirrel.
22. SOUTH COVE • Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach
Linton Blvd.
31
Clint Moore Rd.
Northeast Everglades Natural Area
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30
Great Florida Birding Trail
Ocean-to-Lake Hiking Trail
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26
25
32
Yamato Rd.
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Photo by John Arthur Marshall
Visitors can stroll down a 556-foot
boardwalk that extends to one of three
mangrove islands within the Lake Worth
Lagoon. Six acres of restored wetlands
support local fisheries, wading birds,
manatees, and sea turtles. Metered
parking available along Flagler Drive.
31. DELRAY OAKS • 2021 SW 29th St., Delray Beach
The shady hardwood forests have a
canopy of live oak, cabbage palm, and
strangler fig. Wild coffee, American
beautyberry, and several species of
ferns are present in the understory. The
25-acre Delray Oaks Natural Area is
home to many resident and migratory
birds, including red-shouldered hawk,
blue-gray gnatcatcher, and several
species of warblers.
23. SNOOK ISLANDS • 100 N. Golfview Rd., Lake Worth
Natural areas may be temporarily closed for environmental
activities. Check the Department’s web site for current information
regarding natural area accessibility and public facilities.
16. Pawpaw • 11646 Ellison Wilson Rd., North Palm Beach
As the name implies, this small piece of Florida scrub habitat
contains several federally endangered four-petal pawpaw
plants. Six-lined racerunner, gopher tortoise and ruby-crowned
kinglet have been observed on the site.
17. LAKE PARK SCRUB • Lake Park
The 55-acre Lake Park Scrub Natural Area
preserves scrub habitat, one of Florida’s
most endangered ecosystems. It is estimated
that less than 2% of Palm Beach County’s
historic scrub remains. The natural area is
an important refueling stop for migrating
birds in the spring and fall.
18. WINDING WATERS • 6161 Haverhill Rd., West Palm Beach
15. FRENCHMAN’S FOREST • 12201 Prosperity Farms Rd., P.B. Gardens
Acreage Pines Natural Area preserves
124 acres of wetlands and pine lands
adjacent to Acreage Community
Park. A boardwalk allows visitors
an opportunity to watch dragonflies,
herons, and egrets hunt for food in the
wetlands. A hiking trail winds through
slash pines and saw palmettos. Keep
an eye out for the acrobatic displays of
common nighthawks!
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13. SWEETBAY • 12560 Aviation Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens
This 1,094-acre natural area is adjacent to
the North County Airport located off of the
Bee Line Hwy. (S.R. 710), one mile west
of PGA Blvd. The wetlands attract many
wading birds, including snowy egret, blackcrowned night-heron, and the endangered
wood stork.
20. ACREAGE PINES • 6405 140th Ave. N., Loxahatchee
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Interstate 95
The 12,841-acre Loxahatchee Slough is the
county’s largest natural area. Cypress domes
dot the landscape and depression marshes fill
with water during the summer and fall. A fivemile stretch of NENA’s Bluegill Trail passes
through Loxahatchee Slough allowing hikers,
bicyclists, and equestrians a grand view of the natural area.
Fishing permitted from the banks of the C-18 Canal. Parking,
canoe launch, observation tower, and restrooms are available
at Sandhill Crane Access Park – 8175 PGA Blvd. in Palm
Beach Gardens.
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11. LOXAHATCHEE SLOUGH • Palm Beach Gardens
Explore endangered scrub habitat
within this 120-acre natural area
located in the shadow of the Jupiter Inlet
Lighthouse. A boardwalk leads to a
covered observation deck overlooking
a mangrove wetland restoration area.
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Three-story observation towers allow
visitors a bird’s-eye view of the 98-acre
natural area. A pedestrian entrance off
of Overlook Rd. allows for easy access
to the center of the site. The dry scrub
is home to Florida rosemary, sand live
oak, hog plum, six-lined racerunner,
coachwhip, and brown thrasher.
The 1,737-acre Pond Cypress Natural Area is home to
towering cypress trees covered in airplants such as the giant
wild pine. Many areas of the site are underwater during much
of the year.
10
PGA Blvd.
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27. HYPOLUXO SCRUB • 150 Hypoluxo Rd., Hypoluxo
19. POND CYPRESS
ay 1
US Highw
2. JACKSON RIVERFRONT PINES • 19745 Riverside Dr., Jupiter
6
Military Trail
This 160-acre natural area preserves
slash pine habitat. Other plants found
at North Jupiter Flatwoods include saw
palmetto, giant wild pine, St. John’s-wort,
largeflower rosegentian and pink sundew.
Parking is available at Jupiter Community
Park.
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3
1
5 4
Florida’s Turnpike
1. NORTH JUPITER FLATWOODS • 3377 Church St., Jupiter
Roughly half of this 548-acre natural area was cleared for
agricultural purposes. The impacted area was restored to
shallow-water and deep-water marshes. Birdlife is abundant on
this site. Bald eagle, anhinga, green heron, belted kingfisher
and loggerhead shrike are just a few of the birds observed at
Winding Waters Natural Area.
www.pbcgov.com/erm
This 118-acre wetland restoration project
created 11 acres of mangroves and 2
acres of oyster reefs within the Lake Worth
Lagoon. Public use facilities include a
boardwalk, kayak launch, and floating
dock. Restrooms available at Bryant Park.
24. LANTANA SCRUB • Lantana
32. YAMATO SCRUB • 701 Clint Moore Rd., Boca Raton
This 33-acre natural area was part
of the now-closed A. G. Holley State
Hospital property. The site contains
Florida scrub and scrubby flatwoods
habitats. Sand pine and saw palmetto
are found throughout, along with
Florida rosemary, powder-puff lichen,
and hog plum.
Florida scrub habitat covers 63% of
Yamato Scrub. A 10-acre basin marsh
located is located in the northern
portion of the 217-acre natural area.
Bridges across canals and a tunnel
underneath Clint Moore Rd. allow for
easy access to more than three miles of
hiking trails. Bicyclists can enjoy a view
of the scrub from the western perimeter
of the site on the multiuse El Rio Trail.
25. EAST CONSERVATION AREA
Located in the Agricultural Reserve, this 196-acre site is
comprised of six separate pieces of land that were once
mined and used for tree nurseries. A 41-acre freshwater lake
now exists in the mined section. Cypress strands are scattered
throughout the East Conservation Area.
26. HIGH RIDGE SCRUB • 7300 High Ridge Rd.
The 39-acre High Ridge Scrub
Natural Area protects plants and
animals that live in scrub habitat.
Many of these species are protected,
including the gopher tortoise. Other
animals observed on the site include
gulf fritillary butterfly, cicada, yellow
garden spider, and American kestrel.
pbcerm
33. PONDHAWK • 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton
Access to this 79-acre natural
area is through the Boca Raton
Spanish River Library Parking
lot. A 12-foot-wide multiuse trail
allows hikers and bicyclists a view
of Blue Lake and the southeastern
perimeter of the natural area. An
eight-acre wetland restoration
project inside the natural area
provides habitat for osprey, black-necked stilt and white ibis.
The natural area is named for a common dragonfly found
throughout the woodlands.
pbcerm
THINGS YOU MIGHT SEE
Reptile Roundup...
Meet the Locals
While out and about experiencing Palm Beach
County’s natural areas, here are some of the local
residents – the scaled, feathered, and tiny ones –
you might encounter.
Birds of a Feather
OSPREY
Also known as “fish
hawk”, this bird of prey is
seen near water – canals,
rivers, lakes, and ocean.
Spiny projections on the
feet allow osprey to hold
on to their slippery food.
They build large nests and
lay one to three eggs in
the early spring.
WILD TURKEY
These birds are nothing
like the fat, flightless,
domesticated turkeys. Wild
turkeys can run fast and
fly far. Males are larger
than females and have a
black “beard” that hangs
from the chest. Palm Beach
County is the southern limit
of their range in Florida.
FLORIDA
SANDHILL CRANE
The Florida sandhill crane
stands almost four feet tall
and has a wingspan of
six feet. They feed mainly
on seeds and tubers. The
loud, rattling calls (kar-rr-o-o-o) of the cranes are
frequently heard as they
roam freshwater marshes
and open woods.
GREEN ANOLE
These
small
reptiles
are masters of disguise. They can
change their body color from green to brown
to blend in with the surroundings. Green anoles eat
grubs, worms, and small insects.
GOPHER TORTOISE
The threatened gopher
tortoise uses its strong
front legs to dig a
burrow up to 30 feet
long. One tortoise may
have several burrows
scattered throughout the
area.
These cool, underground tunnels shelter
many other animals, including insects, snakes,
lizards, and small mammals.
RACER
A fast-moving snake, the
non-venomous black racer
can grow up to 4 feet in
length. It does not constrict
(squeeze) its prey – instead
it grabs lizards with its
strong jaws and swallows
them whole.
...and one Awesome Amphibian
GREEN TREEFROG
The cowbell-like quaink of
the green treefrog is heard
during the evening hours.
This bright green treefrog
can be found in the woods on
waterside vegetation and in the
city on windows.
Small Wonders
ZEBRA LONGWING
It is easy to spot Florida’s
state butterfly. The striking
yellow and black coloring
warns would-be predators
that this insect tastes bad.
The caterpillars feed on
passionflower which contains
a toxin that stays in the body
as it transforms into a butterfly.
GOLDEN SILK ORBWEAVER
These spiders spin large webs
– sometimes three to four feet
across! The females grow
to one inch in length (body
only, does not include legs)
and can be seen hanging
head down in the center of
the web. Males are much
smaller and usually hang out
around the edges of the web.
Golden silk orbweavers are
not venomous.
Explore wild Florida at these new natural areas...
CYPRESS CREEK SOUTH Opening mid 2016
Hungryland Slough
Come watch the land heal itself after completion of
one of the most aggressive acquisition/restoration
projects the State has seen on this 3,004-acre
wilderness. A section of the Ocean-to-Lake Hiking
Trail winds through an area once criss-crossed with
roads, ditches and canals and choked by exotic
vegetation, but is now home to otters, alligators,
deer, bobcats, and barred owls. Hiking not your
thing? Park at our new 3-car lot that allows bikers,
equestrians and fishermen to traverse an unimproved
section of the Pântano Trail along the banks of the
C-18 Canal with views of the southern and eastern
edges of the natural area.
PINE GLADES
Experience the wonder of freshwater wetlands at this
6,651-acre natural area. More than seven miles of
trails allow visitors the opportunity to view a wide
variety of wildlife. A kayak/canoe launch area
provides easy access to the interior wetlands. Bring
along your fishing gear and try your luck at the
fishing pier.
Restoration on Cypress Creek property south of
Indiantown Road removed invasive nonnative trees
and restored freshwater wetlands. A portion of the
NENA Historic Jupiter-Indiantown Trail passes through
this section. Public-use facilities include a kayak/canoe
launch, covered observation platforms, parking area,
multi-use trails and a fishing pier. This site will provide
the long-awaited connection of Cypress Creek with
Riverbend Park and other NENA trails.
LOXAHATCHEE SLOUGH Opening mid 2017
PRAYING MANTIS
A perfect ambush predator,
the praying mantis uses its
long front pair of legs to grab
dragonflies, butterflies, and
other insects. The flexible neck
allows the head to turn in all
directions. Females are larger
than the males and often eat
them after mating.
HALLOWEEN PENNANT
Dragonflies
have
four
powerful wings that move
independently, allowing for
forward and backward flight.
The young and adults feed on
mosquitoes and other insects.
More adventures coming soon
Palm Beach County’s largest natural area is a wetland
wonderland. Bobcat, deer, and snail kites are just
some of the animals found here. Public-use facilities
include a fishing pier, covered observation platform,
and parking area.
NORTH JUPITER FLATWOODS
Explore slash pine forests and cypress swamps while
walking the more than two miles of trails in this 160acre natural area. The fishing pier allows visitors the
chance to test their angling skills. The natural area is
an island of wilderness amid the hustle and bustle of
the Town of Jupiter.
WINDING WATERS
Grab your paddle and take to the water to get a
unique perspective of this 548-acre natural area. A
3.4-mile canoe trail follows the deep-water channels
of the 165-acre created wetland. For those who prefer
keeping their feet on dry land, Winding Waters has
more than five miles of hiking trails.
LAKE PARK SCRUB Opening late 2015
Lake Park Scrub Natural Area protects one of Palm
Beach County’s most endangered habitats – Florida
scrub. Animals observed on this site include gopher
tortoises, swallow-tailed kites, and sulphur butterflies.
Public-use facilities include a paved walking trail,
covered observation platform, and parking area.