While reading your editorial sadly remarking on the loss of mature trees in South Florida, I can’t help but think of my little miracle here in Royal Oak Hills in eastern Boca Raton. Although this old neighborhood still has many splendid Florida oaks,
nature (26)
A couple poses for engagement photos at South Inlet Park in Boca Raton late last month. The restoration has raised the beach by about 6 feet, the city says. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Mary Hladky
The 12-foot sand cliffs at South Inlet Park are
Related: Gumbo Limbo loses its sea turtle hospital
By Steve Plunkett
A 2-year-old nonprofit started by two former Gumbo Limbo Nature Center employees is seeking a state permit to give veterinary care to sick or injured sea turtles.
When their applica
Sadie Hawkins, a hawksbill turtle being treated at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in this June 13 photo, was moved to Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach after the nonprofit Coastal Stewards closed Gumbo Limbo’s sea turtle rehab unit. Of the 13 tu
Boca photographer counsels St. Vincent kids to be caretakers
This sea turtle was saved from mistaking the plastic bag for an edible jellyfish when the photographer grabbed the bag. Photo provided by Ben Hicks
By Ron Hayes
When Denise O’Loughlin, the
Supporters of The Nature Conservancy gathered for a dinner organized by Ron and Cindy McMackin that drew members of the organization’s state board of trustees. Guests enjoyed cocktails beside the Intracoastal Waterway, followed by a meal and a firesi
This rendering of Milani Park, to be constructed on a 5.6-acre parcel at the south end of Highland Beach, has calmed fears that the park would be an eyesore. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Rich Pollack
Maggie Chappelear was pleasantly surprised whe
By Larry Keller
Rob Patten recalls the first time he stepped foot on Beer Can Island. “I thought if I was a homeless person, I could make a fortune selling aluminum cans. It was just a huge party island. Litter was everywhere. Biologically speakin
Garden coordinator Veronica Green pulls weeds from a raised bed to prepare it for the next crop. Photo provided
By Janis Fontaine
On three-quarters of an acre just a block from the Delray Beach courthouse and active Atlantic Avenue is a tiny garden j
The 335-acre South Florida National Cemetery has impeccably maintained burial grounds nestled within pine flatwoods and surrounded by cypress domes that enable it to exude a sense of calm.
Our garden columnist unearths the evolution of the National
By Mary Thurwachter
Despite the uncertainty connected to the coronavirus, Town Manager Deborah Manzo didn’t have to wait long for an answer when she asked whether or not to commit to a fireworks contract for the Fourth of July.
The $30,000 contract
The boardwalk at Gumbo Limbo winds through one of the few remaining maritime coastal hammocks in the county. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
Wandering along the newly rebuilt boardwalk at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Cent
A yellow sulphur butterfly takes flight after laying eggs on the leaves of a candle bush plant near the Okeeheelee Nature Center’s main building. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
Okeeheelee Nature Center, situated wi
The Yamato Scrub habitat is dominated by white sandy soil, saw palmetto (foreground), scrub oak (top left) and sand pine (top right). Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
An armadillo lumbers across the path ahead of us. Low growi
If you are just returning from your summer in cooler climes, welcome back.
There are a few things you should know as you return:
We’ve had massive amounts of seaweed wash up on our beaches most of the summer. No one is sure where it’s coming from, bu
A father and son take in the peacefulness of the Cypress Swamp.
Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
Baton Rouge, a lichen, grows where the air quality is good.
Spider lilies are among the varied flora in the national refuge.
Purple beautyberry off
By Steve Plunkett
The boardwalk at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, closed since February 2015 after engineers warned it was near collapse, should be reopening this month.
The Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District approved a $45,500 last-minute ch
Matt Molloy is one of my favorite photographer a 29 year old Canadian with a diploma in visual depiction who adores most forms of art. He makes his own particular music, plays guitar and drums, yet he will attempt to play any instrument he can get hi
By Mary Thurwachter
LANTANA — Judy Black was passionate in promoting environmental conservation and committed to creating gardens.
“She was a leader in the environmental movement,” said Ilona Balfour, who worked for a number of years with M
The Friends of Gumbo Limbo recently awarded $15,000 in Gordon J. Gilbert Scholarships to future scientists and those currently doing research to further the mission of Gumbo Limbo — to increase public awareness of the coastal ecosystem through educat
