Paul Homer, of Boca Raton, leads a nature walk during Sea Turtle Day at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
on Feb. 28. The event featured a critter corner, craft activities, aquarium feedings, nature walks and a food truck area.
Photos by Madeline Gray/The Coastal Star
Here is a brief history of the center prepared by Nancy Leeds, a volunteer and member of the center’s board of trustees:
The 1970s
The city of Boca Raton began to make a special effort to preserve the five miles of coastline and recognized that an outdoor, hands-on interpretive program would be extremely beneficial to the community.
Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District acquired Red Reef Park.
The city formed a permanent association with the Palm Beach County School Board to begin an environmental program at Spanish River Park. Gordon Gilbert began teaching environmental programs for students.
The master plan for Red Reef Park recommended the development of a nature center. A group of concerned citizens formed the Gumbo Limbo Friends of the Nature Center, an advisory and fundraising committee.
The city of Boca Raton’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program began in Development Services.
The 1980s
The auxiliary group, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center of South Palm Beach County, Inc., was formed from the Gumbo Limbo Friends of the Nature Center and registered its 501(c)(3) organization under federal tax laws.
The Beach and Park District provided $750,000 to the Parks and Recreation Department (now Recreation Services) to build Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. After its completion and official dedication, the public school environmental program was moved from Spanish River Park to Gumbo Limbo.
The city entered into an agreement with Florida Atlantic University for an easement deed for the purpose of maintaining future salt water lines (running from the Atlantic Ocean).
A $200,000 project was completed that added a one-third-mile boardwalk and tower to Gumbo Limbo.
The Sea Turtle Conservation Program was transferred to Recreation Services and located at Gumbo Limbo.
The 1990s
The trustees of Gumbo Limbo commissioned artist Sharon Earl to design six stained glass windows to recapture the natural world of 1513. These windows were installed in the north side of the Nature Center.
Two new buildings, the Florida Atlantic University research lab, and the outdoor tanks were completed. Gumbo Limbo was rededicated as Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex.
Gumbo Limbo received the Howland Award for Environmental Enhancement from the National League of Cities.
The 2000s
An extension to the south end of Red Reef Park was added onto the existing boardwalk, and a boardwalk bridge connecting the hammock to the tank area was completed.
An outdoor classroom with an authentic chickee roof was constructed over the teaching platform near the Intracoastal Waterway along the Ashley Trail.
A ceremony was held to honor the retirement of Gordon Gilbert, and the 20th anniversary of Gumbo Limbo Nature Center was celebrated.
The first Sea Turtle Day was held to celebrate 30 years of sea turtle conservation and research in Boca Raton.
A sea turtle sculpture garden, depicting life-size representations of the seven species of sea turtles worldwide, was completed.
The 2010s
The Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility was permitted by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and opened. Cold weather takes a toll on Florida’s sea turtle population, and the rehabilitation facility took in over 180 patients within the first few weeks of opening.
New seawater tanks and pavilions were constructed, funded by the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.
Friends of Gumbo Limbo conducted the Fill the Tanks campaign to provide animals and habitats for the new tanks.
Kayleigh Hernandez, 11, of West Palm Beach, hugs Luna
the sea turtle during Sea Turtle Day at Gumbo Limbo.
Turtle Facts
If baby sea turtles make it into the ocean after hatching, they still face many hurdles to survive.
These include:
The destruction of their natural habitat through shoreline development, which alters nesting patterns and destroys food supplies.
The effects of marine pollution, including becoming tangled in fishing gear, and ingesting garbage and plastic products that weaken their immune systems.
Fishing and poaching.
Climate change that causes extreme weather and water temperature change. Hotter water affects hatchling sex rations and extreme storms destroy beaches and coral reefs.
Gumbo Limbo rescues injured turtles, helps them recover and returns them to the ocean. The preserve also finds and protects nesting turtles, and raises awareness through ongoing classes, field trips and research.
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