Teacher and School Field Trip Planning Information

North District Natural Areas

954-698-1200

A. CRYSTAL LAKE SAND PINE SCRUB

3299 N.E. Third Ave., Pompano Beach

Located in Unincorporated Broward County, the Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub is a 22-acre natural area site situated atop an ancient sand dune, containing the oldest and most environmentally sensitive plant community in Florida. Opened in 2002, this natural area provides students with a unique opportunity to study its desert-like habitat and its inhabitants in an outdoor setting. Amenities include a half-mile nature trail along a concrete walkway and foot trail, interpretive signs, and a covered shelter. Restroom facilities are not available.

B. HILLSBORO PINELAND NATURAL AREA

5991 N.W. 74th Pl., Coconut Creek

Located in Coconut Creek, this 44-acre site is characterized by pine flatwoods and surface-rock outcroppings common to this part of Broward County. Intermixed in the flatwoods are cypress, saw palmetto, and open prairie wetlands accentuated by an abundance of wildflowers. Open to the public in 2004, amenities include a small building with restroom facilities and an office, an outdoor classroom, and two nature trails – the Pineland Trail (1,000 ft.) and the Prairie Trail (700 ft.) with interpretive signs and seating areas.

C. TALL CYPRESS NATURAL AREA

3700 Turtle Run Blvd., Coral Springs

Located in Coral Springs, the Tall Cypress Natural Area represents one of the largest remaining stands of cypress basin swamp and pine flatwoods in Broward County. Purchased in 1989, Tall Cypress encompasses 66 acres of cypress wetland, pine flatwoods, and marsh vegetative communities. Amenities include a small building with restroom facilities and an office, an outdoor classroom, and covered seating areas along the half-mile nature trail.

D. WOODMONT NATURAL AREA

N.W. 80th Ave. & N.W. 75th St., Tamarac

Located in Tamarac, Woodmont Natural Area is a 21.6-acre remnant of an extensive pine flatwoods and cypress basin swamp that once dominated the area. Originally planned for residential development, the site was preserved and opened to the public in August 1999. Although relatively small in size, Woodmont is home to an interesting variety of birds, butterflies, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Amenities include a parking area, a combination concrete and elevated boardwalk trail, interpretive signage, four seating areas, and a bike rack. Restroom facilities are not available.

Program Descriptions

*Programs marked with asterisks meet specific curriculum objectives for the grades indicated.

SECRETS OF THE SCRUB (Second -Fifth Grades)

Discover the secrets of the Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub. Students will learn about the unique plant and animal adaptations that allow life to survive in this harsh desert-like environment. In this rare and endangered habitat, students will discover the secrets of the scrub species found in this ecosystem through hands-on outdoor activities and field study.

• One hour.
• Maximum 40 students.

DISCOVERING FLORIDA SCRUB (Sixth-Eighth Grades)

Students will participate in a field study of a sand pine scrub plant community with an emphasis on the threats and destruction of the most rare and oldest plant community in Florida and what makes it so unique.

• One hour.
• Maximum 40 students.

*PINELAND MAGIC (Second-Fifth Grades)

Explore one of Coconut Creek's last remaining natural habitats. This program offers students a detailed look into a pine flatwoods community, including the interrelationships of the native plants and wildlife using games, role-playing, and hands-on activities. The Pineland Magic program highlights the causes and effects of habitat destruction as well as what can be done to help prevent the loss of this wonderful, but threatened plant community. Held at the Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area.

• Two hours.
• Maximum 60 students.

*LIVING OR NONLIVING (Kindergarten-First Grades)

Students will visit with forest creatures that introduce them to some of the living and nonliving things that are located in The Tall Cypress Natural Area. Through a guided trail walk and outdoor activities, students will discover what creatures live in the water and soil of Tall Cypress Natural Area and what makes something living or not.

• One hour.
• Maximum 40 students.

INSECTS AROUND US (First-Third Grades)

Come and discover the wonderful world of insects living in the Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area. Students will learn the importance of insects and the role they play in the circle of life, followed by an insect hunt in the soil and water for a closer look. Included is a trail walk to identify and study native butterflies and their life cycle.

• Two hours.
• Maximum 60 students.

*HABITAT DETECTIVES (Second-Fourth Grades)

Students will explore a native habitat of Florida while learning about the four components that comprise a habitat, and the plants and wildlife living there. Through hands-on activities, role-playing, and games, students will identify specific food chains/food webs of either a wetland or a pineland habitat. Focus is placed on the interdependence of the species that comprise these food chains and what happens when one link of the circle of life is broken. Held at the Tall Cypress Natural Area.

• Two hours.
• Maximum 60 students.

PROJECT WETLANDS (Middle-High School)

Students will participate in a hands-on experimental field study of a cypress wetland. A discussion of wetland ecology followed by an outdoor project will help students determine the function, role, values, wildlife, and plant species of the wetlands of the Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area. A role-playing activity will allow students to conduct a debate on current issues affecting the wetlands of Florida. Students should bring a change of clothing and an extra pair of shoes that can get wet and muddy.

• Two hours.
• Maximum 60 students.

EXPLORE TALL CYPRESS (Kindergarten-12th Grades)

Discover Tall Cypress, its natural history, and the wildlife and plants that inhabit this natural area. Students are then off on a scavenger hunt through the site to find all the special things that make up Tall Cypress Natural Area. A question-and-answer session will follow the hunt.

• One hour.
• Maximum 40 students.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (High School)

Students will participate in habitat restoration projects to help replace exotic plant species with native vegetation and gain hands-on understanding of habitat restoration. The planting of native species will follow the removal of the exotic species. Various North District Natural Area Sites. Call for site availability.

• Two hours.
• Free with the completion of a 1.5-hour work project.
• Maximum 40 students.

GUIDED NATURE WALKS (Kindergarten-12th Grades)

Guided nature walks with specific themes are offered at various North District Natural Area Sites. Call for availability.

• One hour.
• Maximum 40 students.

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