February

Early Morning Fog - Kathleen Fosselman

11th Annual Everglades Day

Saturday, February 6
8 a.m. - 4 p.m

Celebrate the Everglades at this all-day FREE family festival, with tours, nature walks, canoe trips, exhibits, wildlife presentations, music, and food vendors.  Hear presentations by special guest speaker Clyde Butcher, noted Everglades photographer, and Kenn Kaufman, birding guide author. 

This year's theme is "Arts in the Everglades." In addition to Clyde Butcher’s gorgeous photographs, the festival will include the impressive nature photography of Claudine Laabs, John Lopinot and Lance Warley, wood carvings by Paul Cummings, and Bob Hall’s presentation of John James Audubon's biography and art. There will be an origami station sponsored by the Morikami, and the Amory Art Center is sponsoring plein air painters, who will be painting on canvas and scattered throughout the Refuge. Plein air artist Natalie Pierce created the picture for the Everglades Day T-shirt, which will be on sale at the event.

Park in Monte's parking lot just south of the Refuge and hop a bus to the Visitor Center.  Trolley service will be provided throughout the day.

Program Details    Program Schedule

Annual Refuge Photo Contest

Deadline: Sunday, February 28

Open to all. Photos must have been taken at the A.R,M, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.

Complete details and entry form

Guided Canoe Trips
Saturdays at 8:00 a.m.: February 13, February 27

Enjoy a beautiful canoe tour through a portion of the Refuge interior. Tour leaves from the Headquarters Boat Ramp.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - PLEASE CALL 561-733-0192.

Full Moon Guided Canoe Trip
Sunday, February 28
6:40 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Meet at the Headquarters Boat Ramp at 6:40 PM to enjoy a guided moonlight canoe tour through a portion of the Refuge interior. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants and bring a flashlight and bug spray. Trip will last from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost for this tour is $10.00 per person besides the regular Refuge entrance fee.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - PLEASE CALL 561-733-0192.

Cypress Swamp Strolls
Every Sunday, 2:00 p.m.

Take a guided tour on our 0.4-mile boardwalk through our Cypress Swamp. Learn about the swamp ecosystem from cypress tree knees to animals that call the swamp home.
Location: Meet at Visitor Center at 1:45.

Early Morning Bird Walks
Every Wednesday and Saturday, 7:30 a.m.

Join our naturalist for an early morning bird walk on the Marsh Trail. Learn about our migratory and year-round residents of the Refuge.
Location: Meet in the Marsh Trail parking lot.

Marsh Trail Nature Walks
Every Saturday, 10:00 a.m.

Join our naturalist for a nature walk on the  0.8 mile Marsh Trail. Learn about flora and fauna of the Refuge and about the Everglades ecosystem.
Location: Meet in the Marsh Trail parking lot.

Roving Bird Naturalist
Every Monday and Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

A naturalist with a scope will be strolling around the Marsh Trail, answering questions and pointing out birds along the way.

Programs subject to change, for more information on any of the activities and programs, please call David Underwood at (561) 735-6030 or the Visitor Center at (561) 734-8303 or the Administration Office at (561) 732-3684.

Save these Dates:

Children's Reading & Crafts Program

Join us at the Visitor Center from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for “Reading On Loxahatchee is Fun” (ROLF), a children's reading program. Rangers and volunteers will read during the first part of the program. Hands-on activities, crafts and a walk through the Cypress Swamp will follow each reading. Open to persons of all ages, this program and the books are especially intended for younger children and their Guardians. More information can be obtained at www.fws.gov/loxahatchee or by calling David Underwood @ 561 735-6030

Saturday March 6, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Are you a Snake? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries, Illustrated by Tudor Humphries

Saturday April 3, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Are you a Dragonfly? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries, Illustrated by Tudor Humphries

Saturday May 1, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Are you a Butterfly? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries, Illustrated by Tudor Humphries

Saturday, June 5, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Owl Babies, by Martin Waddell, Illustrated by Patrick Benson

Full Moon Guided Canoe Trips
6:40 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Monday, March 29
Wednesday, April 28
Thursday, May 27

Meet at the Headquarters Boat Ramp at 6:40 PM to enjoy a guided moonlight canoe tour through a portion of the Refuge interior. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants and bring a flashlight and bug spray. Trip will last from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost for this tour is $10.00 per person besides the regular Refuge entrance fee.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - PLEASE CALL 561-733-0192.

Photography Workshops by one of our Photo Contest Judges

Noted wildlife photographer John J. Lopinot is offering a number of workshops:

Personal Workshops where he teaches at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center on Wednesday nights with field trips on the weekends.

Special Workshops, including the Duda Farms Trip (free with registration for one of his personal workshops), the Nature Photographer's Camping trip and the Central Florida Bird Tour.

Sponsored Workshops, where he links up with places like Mounts Botanical Garden, Green Cay Wetlands and Busch Wildlife Sanctuary to teach special techniques over three weekend days. You need to register for these workshops with the sponsor.

Visit his website for more information

Refuge Programs (watch Bulletin Board)

Everglades Day (February)

A full day of educational programs for adults and children about the importance and history of "the River of Grass." 

National Wildlife Refuge Week (October)

There is no better place to reconnect with both wildlife and family than on a wildlife refuge, especially during National Wildlife Refuge Week.

Youth Photo Contest (October)

"The Everglades: Through the Eyes off Children" was featured in the Summer 2006 issue of Wildlife Refuge Magazine. The objective of the annual contest is to reach out to young people, specifically, at-risk youth who may have had little opportunity to experience the Everglades.

International Migratory Bird Day (2nd Saturday in May) [more...]

The Refuge partners with the Palm Beach Zoo for a day of face-painting, environmental arts and crafts, and bird walks. There are family activities that include early-morning bird walks, live bird presentations and discussions of what all birds have in common.

Kids Fishing Day (June)

On this day, children learn about freshwater fish, fishing rules and regulations and wetlands habitats on the refuge.

Public Lands Day (September) [more...]

Local volunteers roll up their sleeves and devote their morning to weeding out a butterfly garden and other areas at the Refuge, including areas of the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk.

Visitor Center hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 
Programs subject to change. For more information on any of the activities and programs, please call the Visitor Center at (561) 735-6030 or the Administration Office at (561) 732-3684.