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Highlands Scrub is just over 34 acres of rare pineland scrub in Pompano Beach in eastern Broward County. It was formerly known as the Jungle and is considered one of Broward and south Florida’s last substantial remaining sand pine scrub communities. This rare type of community, unique to Florida, is one of the most imperiled in the state. With only two percent of this habitat remaining in Broward County, this nice little nature park is extra special.

Highlands Scrub has a large paved and handicapped-friendly hiking trail, pavilion, ample parking, and benches. The trail loops through the site and is well-marked with some of the most informative and easy-to-read interpretive signs. Canopied by sand pines and scrub live oaks, the trail has an underbrush of saw palmetto, scrub oaks, gopher apple, pawpaw, Mexican fire plant, partridge pea, lesser Florida spurge, narrow-leaf silkgrass, and Feay’s Palafox.

Broward County has done great fire management in the Highlands Scrub Natural Area. The positive influence of their prescribed burn practice can be appreciated in the north portion of the property with the new growth of understory plants, such as greenbrier, rosemary, wildflowers including partridge pea and the endangered Curtiss’ milkweed, and the gorgeous silkgrass field.

Amenities:

Information Kiosk

Interpretive Signage

Nature Trail paved

Picnic Area

Seating Area

For more information: https://www.broward.org/parks/Pages/default.aspx

Author and Photo Credit: Bobby Putnam – IOF Brevard County Lead Educator

Fern Forest Nature Center

Fern Forest Nature Center, a Broward County Park, is a 244-acre wilderness preserve located in Coconut Creek. Ground hiking trails, as well as an elevated boardwalk, will lead you through a cypress/maple swamp, tropical hardwood hammock, pine/palm/oak hammock, and dry prairie. Fern Forest has over 30 different species of ferns that can be found throughout the property.

From 1870 to 1906, the Cypress Creek area was used for farming. Crops included pineapples, tomatoes, beans, and peppers. As part of a larger plan to drain the Everglades for farming, Governor Broward created a drainage plan for Cypress Creek in 1909. By 1930, a canal was completed, dairies were established, and logging and mill operations had begun. In 1978, Broward County residents voted to purchase 254 acres for a new nature center to preserve the unique botanical quality of the site. Fern Forest Nature Center opened to the public in 1985 and was later annexed by the city of Coconut Creek.

Explore the Maple Walk, Prairie Overlook, Wetland Wanderer, and Cypress Creek Boardwalk Trails. Discover the animals commonly spotted at Fern Forest which include gopher tortoises, raccoons, coyotes, marsh rabbits, great horned owls, as well as a variety of migratory birds. Stop at the Butterfly Bridge and admire the beauty of pollinators hard at work. Look for 10 distinct plant communities in the forest. Bring your lunch and enjoy an outdoor dining experience in the picnic area.

The park is open for hiking only, so no bikes or pets are allowed. Other Park amenities include an amphitheater, exhibit hall, meeting room rental, and wedding rental. Admission and parking are always free and the park is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day except Christmas. The trails close at 4:45 pm.
For more info: https://www.broward.org/Parks/Pages/Park.aspx?=14

Contributor: Naturalist Ashley Grace at Fern Forest Nature Center

With gratitude to Ashley Grace and Paul Waller for your help in highlighting Fern Forest Nature Center