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​Natural Areas Festival 2025 Banner





​Natural Areas Logo​​


 
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 Picture of a fox running through wildflower meadow in a Palm Beach County Natural Area

 

Welcome to Palm Beach County’s natural areas - protected pieces of South Florida’s natural heritage that maintain a diversity of plants and animals. 

In 1991 and 1999, voters approved a total of $250 million in bond funds for the purchase of lands for conservation purposes.  ERM manages more than 31,000 acres of these conservation lands that are the County’s last wild places open sunrise to sunset and are free for all to enjoy passive, nature-based activities such as hiking, bird watching, and environmental education.


​Click here​ for a full page view of the map.​


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LIST OF NATURAL AREAS

The following properties are open
365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.

Properties with public use refers to having parking areas, entrance areas, and  marked trails unless otherwise noted.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • N​o Pets Allo​​wed

  • ​No Drones Allowed

  • ​Bicycling Only on Authorized Jeaga Wildways​​ Trails

  • ​No Alcoholic Beverages Allowed

  • Professional photography/videography sessions require a permit (561-233-2400)​​

Sites with Public Use

Sites Without Public Use

ERM's Prescribed Fire Program Logo 

Prescribed Fire Program

Learn more about "controlled" burns and wildfire mitigation.

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  Environmental Tips Hot Line

(561) 616-BIRD (2473)

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office LogoRelay information if you see something suspicious or a wildlife issue occurring on a natural area. Leave a message with: Name, Date, Time, Natural Area Site, and Detailed Description of Problem. If you want a deputy to return your call, leave your phone number OR you may remain anonymous.

In case of a true emergency, dial 911. 

​Equestrian Trails

Horseback riding is authorized on designated loop trails within:

  • Royal Palm Beach Pines Natural Area

  • Cypress Creek Natural Area

  • Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area

Multiuse Trails

Horseback riding and bicycling is authorized on designated long distance multiuse trails within:

Accessibility and the Use of "Other Powered Mobility Devices"

Nature trails (including concrete and boardwalk portions), observation platforms, overlooks, shade shelters, boat docks and piers were designed and constructed for use by pedestrians and individuals with mobility disabilities.  Individuals with mobility disabilities may use wheelchairs (including electric wheelchairs) and manually-powered mobility aids on any natural area trail or public use facility that is open to pedestrian use and that can accommodate their entry.  Individuals with mobility disabilities also may use “Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices”, provided such use is in accordance with the recommendations and restrictions contained in the policy below.

Other Power-Driven Mobility Device Policy

​Memorial Benches

Donate a bench to remember a loved one, honor a person or organization, or commemorate a special event by having a bench placed in a natural area of your choice for visitors to rest, observe wildlife, and enjoy South Florida’s beautiful native landscapes.

Application​

Adopt a Natural Area 

Palm Beach County Natural Areas LogoJoin  individuals, civic groups, and businesses interested in promoting and maintaining Palm Beach County's Natural Areas for a one year agreement that may be  renewed annually.  By adopting a site, you agree to perform specific tasks or services including but not limited to public education, information displays in public or business locations, monitoring, invasive plant removal, native planting and clean-up events.
To apply, call (561) 233-2400 or email erm-natural@pb​c.gov.​

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Natural Areas Management Advisory Committee

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​The Natural Areas Management Advisory Committee (NAMAC) reviews and comments on draft management plans developed for natural areas acquired and/or managed by the County, and holds public hearings on initial management plans prior to their review and adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.

Committee Members
Andy Flanner, Manager, MacArthur Beach State Park
Dave Gillings, Environmental Manager (Retired)​
Jessica Miles, Ph.D, Professor, Palm Beach State College​
Michele Thompson, CPRP, Director, Community & Recreation Services, City of Greenacres
Jennifer Cirillo, Director, Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation
 Richard Moyroud, Citizen
Andrea McMillian, Citizen

Meeting Dates
​Meetings are held the third Friday of each month as needed and​ details can be found on ERM's calendar​.

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Disclaimer  

 

All Palm Beach County natural areas are publicly-owned and are open for passive, natural resource-based recreational public uses such as hiking, bird watching, nature study and photography. Other recreational uses, as authorized under the Natural Areas Ordinance​ (Chapter 11, Article XI of the Palm Beach County Code), may be permitted in designated areas on a site-specific basis. Certain natural areas may be temporarily closed for environmental restoration activities and/or other public safety issues. Users should confirm that the natural area they plan to visit has existing public use facilities which match the users proposed activity; not all natural areas are readily accessible or have existing public use facilities such as a parking area, accessible trails, natural-surfaced walking paths, trail markers, and/or information kiosks.


EXPLORING


Person taking photos in a Palm Beach County Natural Area 

Join ERM biologists, naturalists, and environmentalists as they guide you on a tour through a natural area.  You'll get a "behind-the-scenes" experience and learn about plants, animals, habitats, and so much more!  These events are FREE and offered seasonally.  Registration is required. 

   Click here​ to see our Adventure Awaits Series!! 


​RESTORING


 Group of kayakers paddling in a Palm Bech County Natural Area

Prior to county acquisition, most of our natural areas suffered for decades from human impacts such as draining surface water into ditches and canals; filling in wetlands with dirt and other materials; mining; removing native vegetation and introducing invasive species. Once acquired, ERM works to bring these lands back to their natural state by removing invasive species, backfilling drainage ditches and canals, and restoring water levels.

MAINTAINING


Person walking/jogging along a paved accessible trail to a covered obseravation platform in a Palm Beach County Natural Area 

After the initial environmental restoration is complete, land managers begin to work on monitoring native plants and animals to document the recovery and health of the native habitats; providing public access; and the continued removal of invasive species and illegal trash that re-appear consistently on the properties. Periodic "prescribed" burns are conducted to maintain fire dependent habitats.