​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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​.

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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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)

APRIL

​​ARCHERY FOR BEGINNERS

Saturday, April 6, 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! All equipment is provided. Space is limited, so sign up before it fills up!

ONC VISITS THE LIBRARY: GOPHER TORTOISES
Thursday, April 11, 2:30-3:15 p.m.
Families/all ages, FREE (Pre-registration required**)
Meet ONC tortoise and turtle ambassadors and celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day! Learn all about this amazing keystone species, and meet other Florida native turtles too! **Call the Wellington Library at 561-790-6070, or visit www.pbclibrary.org​ for more details.** 

GOPHER TORTOISE DAY
Saturday, April 13, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Families/all ages, FREE (No reservations required​)
Join us to celebrate our preserve’s most unique inhabitant—the Gopher Tortoise! We will meet-and-greet with our ambassador tortoise, Sparky, as well as a walk to discuss this threatened species. Participation is free thanks to a grant from the Gopher Tortoise Council and Friends of Okeeheelee Nature Center.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, April 20, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Families/all ages, FREE (No reservations required)
One of the most important milestones in conservation history is Earth Day! Join Okeeheelee Nature Center for a fabulous and family friendly event that is FREE to the public. Activities will promote awareness of environmental protection and earth conservation, including live animal encounters, crafts, environmental presentations, guided nature walks, a rehabilitated animal release, raffles to benefit the Friends of Okeeheelee Nature Center, environmental exhibitors and vendors, and much more. Mark your calendars now and be sure to come and explore all the nature center has to offer since its opening in 1992.

CITY NATURE CHALLENGE 2024: SOUTH FLORIDA #CNCSOFLO
April 26 – April 29, 2024
Palm Beach County joins the City Nature Challenge 2024! Help us show off South Florida's amazing biodiversity by photographing wildlife, plants and any other living organisms you can find! Join Okeeheelee at the Earth Day Celebration on April 20, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to learn more about iNaturalist and how to participate in the City Nature Challenge 2024! For more details, please visit www.cncsoflo.com​.

MAY

​​CANOEING 101

Wednesday, May 1, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Ages 10+, $10/participant (Reservations required)
Join ACA certified instructors on a guided paddle excursion while we explore the waters of Okeeheelee South. Learn the basics of canoeing from safety to paddle strokes, and develop a great new skill! All equipment is provided. Participants must know how to swim and children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so register before it fills up!

CITIZEN SCIENCE SATURDAY
Saturday, May 4, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Families/all ages, $5/participant (Reservations required) 
Have you ever wondered how you can make a difference in your own backyard? From using iNaturalist to learning how to help local species such as Purple Martins, we will explore and discuss current conservation and research efforts in our community and train you to be a citizen scientist!

ONC VISITS THE LIBRARY: TOTALLY TURTLES
Tuesday, May 7, 3:30-4:15 p.m.
Families/all ages, FREE (Pre-registration required**)
Get ready for World Turtle Day with ONC Naturalists and a variety of animal ambassadors as we discuss what makes these creatures so “turtley” awesome! **Call the Greenacres Library at 561-641-9100, or visit www.pbclibrary.org for more details.** 

PACK & PADDLE PRESENT: CORAL CONSERVATION
Saturday, May 11, 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 Leneita Fix, the Executive Director for the Reef Institute in West Palm Beach. Come learn about the Institute and its mission of coral conservation and how to be part of the solution to save our ocean!

ARCHERY FOR BEGINNERS
Friday, May 24, 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! All equipment is provided. Space is limited, so sign up before it fills up!

ADVANCED ARCHERY***
Saturday, May 25, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Ages 8+, $10/participant (Reservations required*)
***Prerequisite: Must have completed Archery for Beginners***
This program is for those already familiar with the basics of archery. Develop your archery skills further, as USA Archery certified instructors teach advanced techniques and practice aim and precision. All equipment is provided. Space is limited, so sign up before it fills up!