This Is Michigan In The Summer. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Chapel Rock And Chapel Beach [OC]

This Monday, the SNC was able to unclog our gator pond thanks to help from our resident Reptile Expert Will Nace and City of Coral Springs’ Parks and Rec Department. This joint effort was all for the good of Wally, our lovely gator. 

Shoutout to our volunteers who managed to catch some great pics of a few of the SNC’s permanent residents. Featured is Cory the Red Rat Snake, Leonidas the Bearded Dragon, and one of the blue jays in our aviary. 

The reptiles featured here are used as educational ambassadors for their species. That means they’re used by professionals to teach visitors about their ecological roles and niche in the environment and why it is so important to protect their species. Leonidas the Bearded Dragon is used in particular as an example of an exotic species. Both reptiles featured here were surrendered pets that the previous owner could no longer care for. Used to a domesticated life rather than hunting for and sheltering themselves, these animals would not survive in the wild on their own. 

This wild red shouldered hawk that visits our nature center had a brief cleaning session after breakfast

The Sawgrass Nature Center was notified via email today that we will be one of the many businesses featured on the Female-Founded Business Finder. This is a joint project between the Stacy’s Rise Project and the Hello Alice social business platform. The directory is featuring businesses run and founded by women. It can be found by scanning the QR Code on a bag of Stacy’s Pita Chips during the month of November or by clicking here:  www.femalefounderfinder.com. 

It is important for women to come together and support each other to close the gap between genders in leadership. We are proud to promote this business finder and other businesses of all backgrounds being run by women for women. 

Friendly reminder that the Sawgrass Nature Center (legally Coral Springs Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital) is a non-profit, charitable organization that runs on donations and is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and environmental stewardship. We rehabilitate and released injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife brought to us by the surrounding communities. We also provide a home to over 100 non-releasable animals due to permanent injuries or their non-native status. Our education department is responsible for organize on and offsite programming as well as developing a program to provide free educational and professional development resources to Title I schools in South Florida. 

Feel free to check us out on our website, or like us on social media. We really appreciate the support :)

These beautiful works of art are made from discarded flip-flops

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Caution: Habitat Improvement Ahead! 

For those of you that know us, you know that the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital is dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing native Florida wildlife. Or, in other words, nursing in-need wildlife back to health, so that they have a second chance at life in the wild. Sometimes we get animals that cannot be released back into the wild. Whether it’s because they have a permanent injury that keeps them from properly defending themselves in the wild or because they are considered an exotic/invasive species (not naturally from Florida) we legally are not allowed to release it. These animals, instead, are provided a permanent home in our Wildlife Sanctuary.

This brings us to the second part of the SNC’s mission. The animals we provide permanent sanctuary to become educational ambassadors for their species. Their role is to provide the public with education on why their species is important and what their species niche (job) is in the environment.

In order to make sure we are giving our permanent residents the best care possible, we need to make sure they have the best habitats possible. For a non-profit that runs almost entirely on donations, this can sometimes be hard to do. This year though, thanks to an incredible grant opportunity from The Batchelor Foundation, the SNC is able to reconstruct newer, better habitats for some of our residents.

Please be sure to keep an eye out for construction during visiting hours. The areas will be marked off with yellow caution tape. Please do not let children climb over this.

We hope you guys are as excited about the improvements happening around the SNC as we are!

This mural was donated by the SNC’s artist in resident. It shows a typical Florida habitat full of common wildlife that can be found in our backyards. If you’re interested in learning more about the process of making the mural or the SNC, click the link below. 

https://sawgrassnaturecenter.org/2014/11/07/video-from-the-our-backyard-wilderness-mural-dedication-ceremony/

The SNC crew had a great time last night at the Coral Springs Drive Thru Holiday Experience. Our display even won the Commissioners Award! Thanks to everyone that came out to share the experience with us and celebrate 25 years of wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education!

Want to Save the Bees and eat cheese? 

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s how to entertain ourselves within the safety of our own home. Recreating some social favorites isn’t always easy, but here’s one thing that is: a wine tasting. Pair some of your favorite wines with a homemade charcuterie board!

Read more: https://sawgrassnaturecenter.org/2021/02/24/charcuterie-and-save-the-bees/

Our resident yellow-naped parrots love talking to the SNC’s Executive Director, probably because they’ve known her longer than any other staff here! Their incredible memory and bonding behaviors lead to some interesting dynamics. 

Parrots are known for their impressive mimicry. Vocal mimicry is the ability to imitate speech or noises. There are many possible reasons why vocal mimicry abilities could be an evolutionary advantage. Improved communication could help with the mating process and imitating predators might scare away competition.