​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Upcoming Public Programs

 

Return to Okeeheelee

Reservations are required for ALL programs (unless otherwise noted). All participants are required to sign a Program Participation Form before each program.

Activities promote environmental awareness, conservation, recreation, and educate on health and wellness in the community​.

​​​​​Everyone Benefits from the Power of Parks
​• Environmental Awareness: Exposure to nature fosters a greater appreciation for the environment.
• Mental Health: Nature-based activities have been shown to improve mental health by reducing stress and boosting self-esteem. 
• Creativity and Imagination: Being in nature stimulates creativity and imagination. 
• Physical Health: Engaging in outdoor activities improves physical health. 
• Skill Development: Participants learn new skills and improve existing ones, enhancing their overall competence and confidence.

NOTICE: Effective October 1, 2025, all payments made with a credit or debit card (online or in-person) will incur a 3.0% service fee. This fee is assessed and collected by the credit card processor, not by Palm Beach County. No service fee will be assessed on payments made by check or cash. Service fees are non-refundable.​
TO REGISTER and MAKE PAYMENT for PROGRAMS:
Online - Select the “Online Services” tab at the top of this page and click on Register/Pay for Program; Login with your username and password. (New users must create a household account online-please follow online instructions)

In Person - Visit the nature center during operating hours.

Recently participated in a program at Okeeheelee Nature Center? Take our program survey​!​
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MONTHLY

ANIMAL FEEDINGS
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 3:30 p.m. 
Families/all ages, FREE (No reservations required)

ALLIGATOR FEEDINGS
Saturdays, 1:00 p.m. 
Families/all ages, FREE (No reservations required)

AUGUST

ARCHERY FOR BEGINNERS
Friday, August 8, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Ages 8+, $10/participant (Reservations required)
Join USA Archery certified instructors and learn the basics of archery, from safety to shooting, and develop a great new skill to focus your mind on a single target. All equipment is provided. Space is limited, so register today! 

LEAPING LIZARDS
Saturday, August 16, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Families/all ages, $5/participant (Reservations required)
Join us as we celebrate World Lizard Day to learn about our native and invasive lizards, with special guests from the South Florida Herpetological Society! This hands-on experience will allow participants to learn the habits, diets, and unique adaptations of these scaly critters.

PALM BEACH COUNTY WOODTURNERS
Saturday, August 23, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Families/all ages, FREE (No reservations required)
Join the PBC Woodturners for their monthly meeting to promote an interest in woodturning tools and techniques among its members and the community at large. All levels of skills are encouraged to join!

SEPTEMBER

CATERPILLAR CRAWL & CRAFT
Saturday, September 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Families/all ages, $5/participant (Reservations required) 
Join ONC’s team of naturalists as we celebrate Parks for Pollinators Month with a search for caterpillars in our pollinator garden, and learn how to use the iNaturalist app to identify pollinators and plants. After this slow-paced “crawl” to find these baby butterflies, participants will create a sustainable craft!

FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION
Saturday, September 6, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Families/all ages, FREE (No reservations required)
Join the Florida Trail Association’s Loxahatchee Chapter for their monthly meeting and program, featuring guest speakers from environmental organizations. Join at 3:00 p.m. to chat with members about the club and enjoy light refreshments.

ARCHERY FOR BEGINNERS
Saturday, September 13, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Ages 8+, $10/participant (Reservations required)
Join USA Archery certified instructors and learn the basics of archery, from safety to shooting, and develop a great new skill to focus your mind on a single target. All equipment is provided. Space is limited, so register today! 

PALM BEACH PACK & PADDLE CLUB
Saturday, September 13, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Families/all ages, FREE (No reservations required)
Join Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club for their monthly meeting and program, featuring guest speakers from local organizations presenting on nature-related subjects and other environmental topics of interest. 

ONC VISITS THE MAIN LIBRARY: SENSATIONAL SNAKES
Tuesday, September 16, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Families/all ages, FREE (Pre-registration required**)
Perfect for curious minds of all ages, this hands-on program offers a safe and exciting opportunity to meet our scaly guests, ask questions, and discover the important role snakes play in the ecosystem. **Call the Main Library at 561-233-2600 for more details.**

SOUTH FLORIDA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Saturday, September 20, 1:30-4:00 p.m. 
Families/all ages, FREE (No reservations required)
Join ONC’s partner group, the South Florida Herpetological Society (SFHS) for their September meeting and fostering/adoption event. Learn about reptile husbandry, which reptiles make good pets, and meet some of SFHS’s animals available for fostering and/or adoption. For more details, call Jim Lipscomb at 561-308-0251 or email him at jlsnakes@comcast.net.

SUPERSTARS OF THE NIGHT
Tuesday, September 23, 8:00-9:30 p.m.
Ages 8+, $5/participant (Reservations required)
Join us for a relaxing night hike to search for the superstars of the night– nocturnal animals! Rain or shine, get excited to learn with our special guests from the Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches on a waxing crescent evening! 

PALM BEACH COUNTY WOODTURNERS
Saturday, September 27, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Families/all ages, FREE (No reservations required)
Join the PBC Woodturners for their monthly meeting to promote an interest in woodturning tools and techniques among its members and the community at large. All levels of skills are encouraged to join!

ADVANCED ARCHERY***
Saturday, September 27, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Ages 8+, $10/participant (Reservations required)
***Prerequisite: Must have completed Archery for Beginners***
Join us for this grounding activity designed to strengthen your mind-body connection while enhancing your archery skills. USA Archery certified instructors teach advanced techniques and practice aim and precision. All equipment is provided. Space is limited, so register today!