Blue Friday - November 27, 2020
Use the map below to learn more about the locations that are participating in LMC's Blue Friday - #OptOutside 2020.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Paddle at Anchorage Park:
Join LMC staff via kayak from 12 pm – 2 pm as we tour the beautiful Earman River and pick up waste along the way. LMC kayaks are available to borrow* or you can BYO kayak to join! *Limited LMC double kayaks are available. To reserve a kayak, please email reservations@marinelife.org
Self-guided beach cleanup at LMC: 
Stop by LMC and participate in a self-guided beach cleanup from 10 am – 1 pm! We will supply beach cleanup materials at our mobile marine debris sorting station in Loggerhead Park! If you bring back a full bag of debris, you will receive a free reusable water bottle for your efforts!
Coastal Hike in Lantana nature Preserve:
Experience a self-guided hike through an iconic coastal preserve with plenty of native species! An LMC staff member will be available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the trailhead providing information about the ecosystem and what you may find during your hike.
Water Quality Testing Kits:
Calling all Citizen Scientists! Come #OptOutside with LMC by visiting your local aquatic ecosystems and helping us monitor the water quality there! Monitoring water quality helps scientists determine the health of the ecosystem and identify necessary conservation efforts in specific areas. Come check-out a water quality testing kit at the center from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm!
Hammock Hike in Loggerhead Park: 
Come discover the beauties of the coastal hammock habitat adjacent to Loggerhead Marinelife Center! A LMC staff member will be available from 9 am – 12 pm at the trail head to highlights the importance of this coastal ecosystem and help with plant & animal identification! Become a citizen scientist and use the iNaturalist app to take photos and help identify what lives in these habitats.
discover.pbcgov.org/erm/NaturalAreas/Juno-Dunes.aspx
floridabirdingtrail.com/
Aqua Adventure Tours
#OPTOUTSIDE with Aqua Adventure Tours!
On Friday November 27th we're offering two private boat charters to help people explore Palm Beach County by water. Both charters will take place aboard "OSPREY", Florida’s only US Coast Guard inspected RIB Ride!
• The Palm Beach sightseeing charter will depart from Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores.
• The Jupiter wildlife + nature charter will depart from Harbourside Place Marina in Jupiter.
These are custom private charters - so where we go, when we go, and what we do - is up to you!
Visit aquaadventuretours.com for info and ideas.
E-mail info@aquaadventuretours.com with any questions and to help book your charter.
Hope to see you outside soon!
Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County
Opened for public use in 2008, the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County's Greenway Trail System is comprised of 300 acres of conservation area. This area includes 5 miles of hiking and biking trails as well as a rookery for several important Florida bird species. The SWA Greenway Trail System is home to beautiful and unique wildlife that live together in harmony. Another activity that you can participate in on the SWA trails is geocaching. The SWA's trails connect with two of Grassy Waters Preserve's trails – the Apoxee and Owahee trails. So please come on out and take a hike, bike and observe our wonderful wildlife, as well as the SWA's new educational trail signs!
Northern trailhead address: 7501 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33412
Southern trailhead address: Located at the bend where 45th Street becomes North Jog Road
Hours trails are open: Sunrise to Sunset
Grassy Waters Preserve
Grassy Waters Preserve is a 23 square mile wetlands ecosystem that serves as the freshwater supply for the City of West Palm Beach and the towns of South Palm Beach and Palm Beach Island. Historically, Grassy Waters was both a key component of the Greater Everglades watershed and the headwaters of the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River. In addition to meeting local demands for freshwater, Grassy Waters Preserve also provides access to this historic wetland that reconnects visitors with the natural heritage of West Palm Beach. Trails of varying lengths and difficulties are accessible to the public free of charge.
Location and hours of trails vary
wpb.org/government/public-utilities/grassy-waters-preserve/trail-information
Arthur R Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge has almost 50 miles of trails meander along swamps, Everglades wetlands, and canals. Take a stroll through the cypress swamp on the accessible 0.4 miles Cypress Swamp Boardwalk and enjoy a game of bingo with family and friends! Bingo sheets can be picked up at the entrance fee kiosk at the Headquarters Area entrance on Lee Road. Experience more wildlife on foot or bike along various trails found in the C-Impoundments, A-Impoundments, and the perimeter levee.
Location: 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33473
Hours trails are open: 5 am to 10 pm
fws.gov/uploadedFiles/ARM_Loxahatchee_NWR_May2020_General_Brochure(1).pdf
Palm Beach County ERM
Bike Trail at the Cypress Creek Natural Area
1. CYPRESS CREEK NATURAL AREA
North Section – 10035 W. Indiantown Road in Jupiter; South Section – 9424 W. Indiantown Road in Jupiter
Let’s Go Ride a Bike.
Head out to Cypress Creek Natural Area in Jupiter for a day of two-wheeled outdoor fun. With over 5 miles of biking trails, take in the views of wetlands, woods and cypress swamps. With more than 2,000 acres to explore, there is plenty to do and see. Other public-use facilities include wildlife observation platforms, kayak/canoe launch area and a fishing pier. Want to add a few more miles to your ride- add another 10 miles by connecting into Riverbend Park and for even more miles, check out Jeaga Wildways multi-use trails to explore the neighboring natural areas and green spaces.
discover.pbcgov.org/erm/NaturalAreas/cypress-creek.aspx
discover.pbcgov.org/erm/Pages/JeagaWildways.aspx
discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Riverbend.aspx
Sunset Paddle at the Pine Glades Natural Area
2. PINE GLADES NATURAL AREA
14122 W. Indiantown Road in Jupiter
A Perfect Place for a Sunset Paddle.
Experience the wonder of freshwater wetlands at this 6,651-acre site. Slide your kayak or canoe down the launch and journey into the interior of the wetlands. Pine Glades Natural Area is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Palm Beach County. It is also a premier birding spot. Watch the sunset as the locals flyover- white ibis, great egrets, and Florida sandhill cranes.
discover.pbcgov.org/erm/NaturalAreas/Pine-Glades.aspx
Trail Running at Winding Waters Natural Area
3. WINDING WATERS NATURAL AREA
6161 Haverhill Road in West Palm Beach
Trail Running with the Birds.
Run or hike 5 miles of trails surrounding the restored wetlands. Water, land and sky all come together in spectacular fashion at Winding Waters Natural Area in West Palm Beach. With trails winding through wooded double-track fire roads, looping along a wetland with an excursion through lush pines, these trails offers a variety of surfaces and scenery. The 548-acre Winding Waters Natural Area preserves slash pine, cypress forests and wetlands provides a home for birds big and small. Cool down from your run by brining binoculars or a camera to watch the avian airshow. If hitting the water is your thing, bring your kayak or canoe to the parking lot where easy access to the wetlands is just a few steps away.
discover.pbcgov.org/erm/NaturalAreas/Winding-Waters.aspx
StoryWalk at Pondhawk Natural Area
4. PONDHAWK NATURAL AREA
Park at western side of Spanish River Library, 1501 Spanish River Boulevard , Boca Raton
Do Two Things at Once-Take a Hike and Read a Book.
Did you know that families can combine reading, exercise and nature exploring while visiting this 79-acre natural area. Thanks to the staff at the Boca Raton Public Library, there is now a StoryWalk at Pondhawk Natural Area. Since the natural area is next to the library, it was the perfect spot to blend reading and nature. Panels featuring pages from a children’s book are placed along the paved (0.71 miles) walking trail that winds through slash pine and oak trees and around a sawgrass-filled freshwater wetland. Questions at the bottom of each panel encourage further discussion between kids and parents. The books will be changed out every three months. Access to the natural area is through the Boca Raton Spanish River Library Parking lot.
Fun fact: The natural area is named for a common dragonfly found throughout the woodlands.