Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat

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D430E806-CC43-47EC-8546-CE29C7676384_1_201_aOne of my favorite places to bird – or just walk – is a beautiful preserve with a very long name:  The Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat.

A lush, marshy wetland, with scenic views in every direction! Even on this very windy day, the Terns loved it (I think these are Forster’s Terns, but would be happy to be corrected).

799B86A1-499A-4277-A1F6-21EEB3316964A5FBFC13-3FD8-49C3-858E-176F301C177C_1_201_aTwo long walking bridges, a large gazebo, and comfy benches along the curving, paved walkways make it a pleasure to bird, stroll, bike, or jog. Shhhh….and it’s never crowded!DB214AE1-BC9D-4CD2-BC71-4A8E7BE09105_1_201_aFEF357FF-4893-4399-81AA-DB8B633F5115_1_201_a

 

This morning I saw a variety of birds, despite the chilly wind:  Mottled Ducks, Limpkins, American Coots, Swamphens, and the ever-present Loggerhead Shrikes were all out enjoying themselves. B48C7B73-C641-46FD-BA37-BE46EB31F344_1_201_aEFFAFE8A-E82A-4CED-BB4F-4E66904F21F6_1_201_aEven this tiny Blue-gray Gnatcatcher flitting from branch to branch managed to hang on and not get blown away (- always hard to catch him facing the camera, though)!D45398AE-17B5-4ED3-9A1D-7A35E7898DAE_1_201_aDefinitely worth a visit next time you are in Palm Beach County, Florida! ☀️

“The Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat (Section 24) is a 365-acre rainwater storage area with nature trails and learning centers. It was built through a partnership between South Florida Water Management District and Wellington. In compliance with the 1994 Everglades Forever Act, rainwater from Wellington must be cleansed of phosphorus before it enters the Florida Everglades.” (Wellington Environmental Preserve)

24 thoughts on “Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat”

  4. Ten years ago, my best friend and I chaperoned our boy’s Boy Scout Troop to the High Adventure camp there in the Keys. Once they sailed off into the sunset, we had a week free to explore the Keys and Everglades. One of the wonderful places we went was Marjorie Stoneman Douglas. I remember being tremendously impressed. And that was in the summer! Your photos show why I should plan a return trip in the winter.
    Thanks for sharing.

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    • Thanks for sharing your experience, Amy! Marjory Stoneman Douglas was a real heroine for the Everglades and passionate advocate for Florida wildlife and nature. This location is an hour north of Everglades National Park. I was taught by a local NWR naturalist that the northernmost remaining parts of the Everglades are in Palm Beach County. The Wellington preserve is named after Stoneman Douglas and is a real tribute to her. Hope you get to visit sometime soon!

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  10. Wonderful preserve, luscious habitat! I just looked up where this was exactly, hubby & I just arrived to Everglades City. I’m overwhelmed AND having a blast trying to research all the places to visit from our ‘pivot point’ location! Your ‘Florida’ wildlife is awesome!!

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