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New outdoor experience connects communities to conservation through immersive Everglades exploration
Flamingo Gardens, in collaboration with the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) with support from the Community Foundation of Broward, will officially open the Everglades Outdoor Classroom with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 28, at 10 a.m. This new outdoor learning experience invites guests of all ages to explore the heart of the Everglades through interactive exhibits and educational programming designed to foster a lifelong love of nature and conservation.
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is a companion to the recently launched Nature Explore: Outdoor Exhibit at MODS in Fort Lauderdale. Together, these two sites create a dual-campus experience that highlights Broward County’s native ecosystems and supports environmental awareness across South Florida.
“By connecting communities through conservation, the Everglades Outdoor Classroom serves as a living laboratory where children and families can discover the beauty and importance of the Everglades,” said Keith Clark, CEO of Flamingo Gardens. “This initiative represents a shared commitment to preserving Florida’s natural heritage while empowering the next generation of environmental stewards.”
Set within the lush grounds of Flamingo Gardens, the Everglades Outdoor Classroom features hands-on learning zones where guests can investigate Everglades habitats, learn about native and invasive species, and explore the interconnectivity of humans with plants and animals in the Everglades ecosystem. The experience encourages scientific inquiry and environmental responsibility, aligning with state education standards and enhancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning opportunities for local schools and youth programs.
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom and the accompanying Nature Explore: Outdoor Exhibit at MODS highlight our vital connection to nature, focusing on the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the effects of urban sprawl on native ecosystems. While MODS explores urban habitats, Flamingo Gardens immerses guests in the rich biodiversity of the Everglades, emphasizing the importance of conservation and habitat protection. Through interpretive signage, hands-on learning activities and the use of natural materials that reflect the landscape, this outdoor space provides a dynamic environment for both facilitated and self-guided exploration. The experience reinforces how backyards and local green spaces serve as critical extensions of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, helping maintain habitat connectivity for native species such as the Florida panther, bald eagle, butterflies like the zebra longwing, atala, and cloudless sulphur, along with plants and other pollinators.
“The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is a shining example of how community collaboration and visionary philanthropy can bring transformative educational experiences to life,” said Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., president & CEO, Community Foundation of Broward. “By connecting children and families to the wonder of the Everglades, we’re nurturing a deeper understanding of our environment and inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders. This project reflects the passion of local philanthropists who believe in protecting our natural resources and ensuring a thriving, sustainable future for Broward County.”
Support for the Everglades Outdoor Classroom has been provided by the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund, Mary and Alex MacKenzie Community Impact Fund, and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Broward Community Fund. Additional support has been provided by the State of Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission, Bass Pro Shop, & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation, Helen Ingham Foundation, Lakeside Foundation, and numerous private donors.
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is included with general admission tickets to Flamingo Gardens. For more information, please visit flamingogardens.org.
About Flamingo Gardens
Feed a flamingo at this botanical garden & wildlife sanctuary! Established in 1927, Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens in South Florida. The 60-acre non-profit botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary contains over 3,000 tropical and sub-tropical species of plants and trees including 22 of the largest trees of their species in Florida. Its Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest collection of rescued Florida native wildlife in the state, including alligators, bobcats, otters, eagles, a black bear, and flamingos. Visit the historic Wray Home Museum and take a narrated tram tour through native jungle growth and wetlands. Located at 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33330. For more information, please visit flamingogardens.org or call 954.473.2955.
