Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands

Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands Green Cay Nature Center is a facility owned and operated by Palm Beach County. Call for current hours. The boardwalk is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Green Cay Nature Center is the county's newest nature center that overlooks 100 acres of constructed wetland and provides educational opportunities about this unique habitat. The wetland features 1.5 miles of elevated boardwalk featuring interpretive signs about the habitat. The Nature Center includes a lecture hall, gift shop, and live animals in an extensive exhibit room that highlights wetland

attributes. Come for a visit and find that there's something for everyone at this fantastic facility!​

Nature Center hours are seasonal. Benefits of visiting Green Cay Nature Center
• Environmental Awareness: Exposure to nature fosters a greater appreciation for the environment.
• Physical health: Engaging in outdoor activities improves physical health.
• Mental health: Nature-based activities have been shown to improve mental health by reducing stress and boosting self-esteem.
• Creativity and imagination: Being in nature stimulates creativity and imagination. Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://bit.ly/GreenCayNewsletter

Purple Martin season is winding down at Green Cay, but there is still time to catch the action!Our Purple Martin colony ...
06/17/2026

Purple Martin season is winding down at Green Cay, but there is still time to catch the action!

Our Purple Martin colony has had another incredible year. During our final nest check, all 47 nesting gourds contained active nests, eggs, or young birds. By the end of the season, we had documented an estimated 119 fledglings already taking to the skies, with 42 hatchlings still growing in the nest and 8 eggs yet to hatch.

Thanks to the dedication of our "Purple Squad" volunteers, Green Cay naturalists, and Audubon Everglades Purple Martin Conservation Coordinator Shelly Rozenberg, we are expecting approximately 170 fledglings this season — nearly matching last year's impressive numbers.

The skies above the wetlands are currently filled with aerial acrobatics as adults and newly fledged young birds swoop overhead catching insects on the wing. By late July, these remarkable travelers will begin their long journey to South America, not returning to South Florida until next February.

Now is the perfect time to visit and experience one of summer's greatest wildlife spectacles at Green Cay!

Have you spotted our Purple Martins this season? Let us know in the comments!

Good News!The Nature Center building will be open today from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Stop by to explore our exhibits, lear...
06/16/2026

Good News!

The Nature Center building will be open today from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Stop by to explore our exhibits, learn more about local wildlife and wetlands, and visit with Oliver, our resident owl ambassador.

We look forward to seeing you at the Nature Center today!

Cool Off with a Trip to the Tropical Rainforest! As the temperatures rise here in South Florida, did you know that Green...
06/15/2026

Cool Off with a Trip to the Tropical Rainforest!

As the temperatures rise here in South Florida, did you know that Green Cay Nature Center has its very own movie theater?
Take a break from the heat and enjoy a free nature film in our comfortable theater. Throughout the day, a featured wildlife documentary runs on a continuous loop, giving visitors the opportunity to relax, learn, and explore amazing ecosystems from around the world

This Month's Feature: Tropical Rainforest

Journey through one of Earth's oldest and most diverse habitats in this fascinating documentary. Tropical Rainforest takes viewers on a 400-million-year journey through the evolution, beauty, and complexity of rainforest ecosystems.
The film also highlights the challenges facing rainforests as these vital habitats continue to disappear around the world.
Narrated by Geoffrey Holder and filmed in 1992, this engaging documentary runs approximately 50 minutes.

Did you know? Although tropical rainforests cover less than 10% of Earth's land surface, they are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species!
So, the next time you're visiting Green Cay, stop by our theater, cool off, and take an unforgettable journey into one of the planet's most extraordinary environments.

Sunday Funny
06/14/2026

Sunday Funny

Hop Into Story Time at Green Cay!Looking for a fun and FREE activity for your little nature lovers?Join us on June 25 at...
06/13/2026

Hop Into Story Time at Green Cay!

Looking for a fun and FREE activity for your little nature lovers?

Join us on June 25 at 10:00 AM at Green Cay Nature Center for a special Story Time in partnership with the Palm Beach County Library System!

This month, we'll be celebrating one of our favorite wetland residents—FROGS!

Here's what’s in store:
- Frog-themed stories read by the Palm Beach County Library
- Meet some of Green Cay's live frogs up close and personal
- Create a fun frog-inspired colored picture to take home
- Enjoy a morning of learning, creativity, and nature exploration

This program is designed for children ages 10 and under, making it the perfect adventure for young explorers and their families.

Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early so everyone can get settled before the stories begin.

Date: June 25
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Green Cay Nature Center
Cost: FREE

Get ready to hear stories, meet amazing frogs, and take home a coloring sheet to remember the day!

Volunteer of the Month: Peter Bloom!This month we're celebrating Peter Bloom, one of our dedicated Animal Care volunteer...
06/09/2026

Volunteer of the Month: Peter Bloom!

This month we're celebrating Peter Bloom, one of our dedicated Animal Care volunteers, who recently marked his one-year anniversary with Green Cay Nature Center.

Since joining us in May 2025, Peter has become a familiar face on Saturdays, helping care for our resident animals, including our lab animals behind the scenes and the turtles in our exhibits.

Peter is always willing to lend a hand wherever it's needed. Whether it's making an emergency cricket run to feed our animals, helping care for our turtles, assisting with exhibit upkeep, or taking home our animal care laundry, he's someone we know we can count on.

One of the best things about volunteers is the unique ways they contribute. Peter has filled many different roles over the past year, helping keep things running smoothly and making a difference in ways both big and small.

Pictured here with one of his favorite residents, our adult striped mud turtle, Peter brings enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to help to everything he does.

Thank you, Peter. We're grateful to have you on the team!

Sunday Funny
06/07/2026

Sunday Funny

Our four juvenile gators finally have names!Meet Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe 🐊These American alligators hatched in sum...
06/06/2026

Our four juvenile gators finally have names!

Meet Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe 🐊

These American alligators hatched in summer 2025 and joined us at Green Cay in January 2026. While their banding patterns help us tell them apart now, it's not always easy to keep track of four growing gators in a big exhibit tank.

Thanks to votes from our volunteers, each gator now has a name of its own. Look for their new signs in the exhibit hall and see if you can spot all four on your next visit!

World Environment Day – June 5Today we celebrate World Environment Day, a global movement that encourages people around ...
06/05/2026

World Environment Day – June 5

Today we celebrate World Environment Day, a global movement that encourages people around the world to take action for a healthier planet. This year's theme, "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.", reminds us that nature plays a vital role in addressing climate challenges and creating a sustainable future for generations to come.

Healthy ecosystems help regulate our climate, clean our air and water, support wildlife, and provide countless benefits to people. From wetlands and forests to oceans and grasslands, nature is one of our greatest allies in building a more resilient world.

At the same time, our environment faces growing threats from pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. One significant challenge is plastic pollution. Approximately 11 million tons of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems each year, impacting wildlife and natural habitats around the globe.
The good news is that each of us can make a difference through simple everyday actions:
Reduce waste whenever possible
Reuse items instead of choosing single-use products
Recycle materials properly
You can also help by:
Carrying a reusable water bottle
Using reusable bags and containers
Choosing products with less packaging
Picking up litter when visiting natural areas
Spending time in nature and learning about local ecosystems

This World Environment Day, let nature inspire us to make choices that benefit our climate, our communities, and our future.
What inspires you most about nature? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Address

12800 Hagen Ranch Road
Boynton Beach, FL
33437

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+15619667000

Website

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