Expansion of Daggerwing Nature Center takes flight

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

It was an appropriate way to celebrate Earth Day – by hold a grand opening and expansion of the Daggerwing Nature Center in West Boca Raton.

County Commission Burt Aaronson led the ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m., and opened a day of special activities that ran until 3 p.m.

For the past year, Daggerwing has been undergoing an expansion that includes a new swamp exhibit.  The 4,814-square-foot enlargement cost about $2 million.

Activities for the day included a “beneficial insects” event – the release of ladybugs by members of the Daggerwing staff into the Butterfly Garden.

Pretend Party Productions used puppets and music to tell about the life cycle of a tree.

Jeffrey Herr, a reptile enthusiast, displayed some of his pet reptiles for visitors and also offered other reptile aficionados hints on reptile care.  Later in the day, a reptile show was held.

Daggerwing Nature Center located in South County Regional Park, where the new Sunset Cove Amphitheater was dedicated a few weeks ago.

New on the site is an exhibit hall with live animals and interactive state-of-the-art exhibits, classroom facilities, laboratory, lobby, reading area and an elevated boardwalk, which takes visitors on a relaxing journey through a swamp. 

The boardwalk has two one-third mile trails, bench-style seating and an observation tower allowing visitors to view the abundant plant and animal life including osprey, woodpeckers, butterflies, endangered wood storks, alligators and a variety of bromeliads.

The namesake of the site, the Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly, can be seen fluttering through the trees.

The mission of Daggerwing Nature Center is to encourage an appreciation of natural environment through education and demonstration, in hope of inspiring personal involvement in conservation.