Florida is blessed with State and County governments that are particularly sensitive to the protection of our environment and the careful preservation of our heritage. Palm Beach County is particularly fortunate to have not only the focus but also the financial wherewithal to assure development of a wide variety of facilities where those efforts can be showcased.

There are environmental centers in Palm Beach County that focus on marine, plant, freshwater, estuarine, and animal life. You can see a piece of the Everglades, study xeriscape, learn about sea turtles and the efforts undertaken to protect them. You can picnic or stroll. You can paint or you can simply sit and contemplate the beauty of this incredible environment. Choose from the list shown below and visit the remarkable facilities provided by Palm Beach County and the State of Florida.

Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex has a long official name but, in reality, it's a low key nature preserve full of the plants and animals that once were the larger part of scenic South Florida. Gumbo Limbo is one of the City of Boca Raton's much lauded public parks. The preserve is known for its hammock among the shaded trees and hosts a complement of lizards, spiders, land crabs, birds, as well as many less obvious critters. A forty-foot observation tower leads to a 350 degree view of the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway and all the landmarks in between them. The hammock is only part of the preserve. You can come and explore the park and its displays of sea turtles, collections of Florida fresh water reptiles, seashells and beachcombing artifacts, honey bees, scorpions, and salt water aquaria.

Mounts Botanical Garden (531 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415) The Florida environment is extremely challenging for landscapers and gardeners. The extreme summer temperatures, long dry periods, aggressive weeds and insects, and poor soil quality make landscaping a nightmare. Mounts Botanical Garden is the only botanical garden focusing on South Florida's unique environment. Visitors will find a wide variety of native Florida plants in a natural setting. Master Gardeners are available to answer questions. Operating in a partnership with Palm Beach County and the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, Mounts is not only a beautiful park but also a superb educational facility.