Category: Environment

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Where the animals reign in lush nature

If you would like to experience a beautifully shaded property that looks like a botanic garden with waterfalls but also is a zoo and a conservation center, then the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is for you. This is a place where they rescue, rehabilitate, and care for injured and endangered animals, and visitors have a chance to interact with some of the zoo’s residents.

Among the many animals at this zoo are bears, tigers, cougars, alligators (including a rare white one), otters, flamingos, a pair of capybaras, a bald eagle, a barred owl, lorikeets, scarlet macas, a Southern ground hornbill, a Baird’s tapir, koalas, sloths, lemurs, tortoises, servals, and a variety of monkeys. I went to visit with my friend Susan recently, and we saw lots of these animals.

We had heard that the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society does a lot of good in helping endangered wildlife. The organization sponsors conservation projects in many parts of the world; much of it deals with species that are represented in the zoo’s collection. Admission to the park is relatively expensive, but we understood that it is to help the conservation society do all its great work for the animals.

Two zoo residents here are a little famous! A female (Iyari) and a male (Zeus) Capybara in the Tropics of the Americas section have been featured on episodes of the TV show “Finding Florida” because zookeepers have been closely observing them as they realized the two had formed a bond. The Capybaras spend a lot of time together and share their food. Zoo workers are hoping that this new couple will breed. Susan and I got to see them from a distance while we were there. Another highlight for us at this venue were the many colorful flamingos in a gorgeous water setting, with some of them “mirroring” each other, a fascinating process we learned they do.

Some nice features at the zoo are its “Animal Experiences,” which cost extra, and its zookeeper chats, which are free. There is a daily schedule board near the entrance that indicates the sessions that visitors can attend for that day. Registration in advance is required for the animal experiences. The animals that participants can sign up to enjoy close encounters with include otters, giant aldabra tortoises, sloths, koalas, panthers, and bears.

Susan and I opted to attend two of the zookeeper chats—the howler monkeys and the Malayan tigers. What we came away with was how dedicated and passionate these staff members are about the animals in their care. The zookeeper for the monkeys stood in front of their outdoor habitats and told us all about these energetic animals, pointed out many of their habits and activities as the monkeys moved around, and answered any questions we had. He had a large group of people gathered around and kept us all entertained and informed.

Afterward, we walked over to the tiger section and listened in as we heard about Kadar, an older tiger who needs regular cold laser therapy to manage age-related stiffness, reduce inflammation, and increase his mobility. The zookeeper there told us we’d get to watch Kadar have this non-invasive treatment during his feeding time. It helps to treat chronic pain and arthritis while allowing the veterinarians to reduce reliance on medications. Observers got a unique experience as another zoo staffer proceeded to feed and apply the laser device to Kadar, who we were told would feel no discomfort from the treatment. We all were thrilled to watch this process so close up. And Kadar is a beautiful animal.

I learned that the Malayan tigers who live at the zoo play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their native habitats. And by visiting these tigers, you are saving tigers in the wild, according to conservationists. Once widespread, Malayan tigers are now only in isolated pockets, and zoo visitors are supporting initiatives to protect their dwindling homes.

In addition to helping with animal conservation, the Palm Beach Zoo is assisting with conserving tropical forests, which it says provide homes to over 63% of all land mammals, including tamarins and sloths, and is essential for human survival. The zoo is restoring its own forest by planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses that support native species.

While there, Susan and I encountered a very striking-looking tree that resembled peacock feathers flaring out. It is called a traveler’s palm, a member of the “bird of paradise” family. Known for its massive, fan-shaped leaves structured in a single plane, its thick trunk can reach up to 30–50 feet in height and the dramatic tree provides great impact in its environment. We had never seen anything like it before. The lushly landscaped Palm Beach Zoo is definitely a recommended outing.

For more information, go to palmbeachzoo.org.

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Aetherography

New art form captures the magnificence of birds

Coral Springs resident Meir Martin is the creator of “aetherography”—an art form that transcends photography to capture time, motion, and the rhythm of nature through birds. By fusing together hundreds of photos of individual birds into one large-scale image, Martin reimagines nature not as a frozen moment, but as an unfolding experience.

“It is the art of layering time,” explains Martin. “Where photography isolates, aetherography gathers. Where photography freezes, aetherography flows. And what it reveals is the truth of life as it actually happened: chaotic, abundant, overwhelming, and magnificent.”

Martin—who admittedly spends at least 340 days per year taking photos of birds in the Everglades each morning—has amassed a collection of about 1.5 million photos. “Everything in my life is birds, birds, birds. I’m addicted to it, and there’s no cure,” he jokes. With such an extensive library to sort through, it sometimes takes him years to complete certain pieces, which contain hundreds of bird photos. “I keep looking until I find the image that will fit.”

Walking into Martin’s home, which he converted into his gallery after his wife’s passing, is a surreal experience that pulls you deep into the vision of an impassioned creator. Every surface—from the ceilings to the windows and soon the floors—is covered with artwork, each piece set in a custom wood frame that Martin makes himself.

Before birds became his calling, Martin, born in Israel, began his career primarily as a wedding photographer. But one day, when a man walked into his store asking for a camera with a 400-millimeter lens, Martin’s trajectory changed. Sick of the photography he was doing, he joined the man on a field trip and fell in love with photographing birds.

Martin spent the early 1980s photographing desert birds in Israel. In 1983, while on a trip to the Dead Sea, he became the first person to take a color photograph of a pair of desert tawny owls, and in 1986, he published a book, “Desert Birds of Israel.”

“Israel is one of the most amazing places in the world for birding,” says Martin. “Nobody knew that until I published a book in 1986. In America, you have only three species of eagles. In Israel, which is the size of New Jersey, we have about 12.”

After moving to Florida with his wife, Martin took a break from photography and—an innate creator—invented a new system to clean pet urine from oriental rugs. In 2008, after a chance encounter with a man at a dog park while walking his 172-pound Neopolitan Mastiff, he was drawn back into photography, joining a camera club.

“I went to the club, and everyone was taking regular pictures,” recalls Martin. “The digital camera came to the world, and everyone is taking pictures. My pictures would just be one of them. This is not what I want. This is not my style. I have to find something else.”

There was a competition in the club every Thursday to see who had taken the best photo that week. The first time Martin entered, his photo didn’t garner much attention. But the second time he did, the members took notice. Using Photoshop, he had combined images from multiple photographs he had taken, to create something different.

While Martin’s work received attention, acceptance was a different story. “The guy from the photography club said we are photographers and this is not photography. They didn’t accept it, so I left the club,” he says.

After leaving, Martin devoted himself fully to this emerging art form, and aetherography was born. “I’m the first one in the world making this new artwork,” he says—an assertion he supports through extensive research, including the use of ChatGPT, in search of anything resembling aetherography across the globe.

That sense of originality extends beyond technique into meaning. Each piece carries its own narrative, one Martin eagerly brings to life when he speaks about his work. “Everything that you do, you have to have a story,” he says. “What is the image for? What is the artwork for?”

Recently, he began the months-long application process to turn his home from a gallery into a museum. “This house will now become the Aetherography Museum,” enthuses Martin, who wants people to be able to experience this new art form in person.

While he wants to share his work and his stories with the public, he is still unsure about selling his pieces. “Right now I don’t sell any artwork. It’s mine, I love it,” explains Martin. “When I open the museum, it’s probably going to be different.”

Martin is currently working on a piece to honor the anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. He was across the street from the school that day and heard the gunfire. The artwork, which will be featured in the February issue of the Parklander, includes a golden eagle from a photograph he took in Israel in the 1980s. Above the eagle are 17 birds, each representing the 17 victims of the shooting. “This is a very powerful image with a lot of history in it,” says Martin, who is willing to donate the piece to the high school.

For more information, visit www.meirmartin.com.

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A trek through verdant nature in Davie

There once was a dairy farm in Davie that was slated to get developed as a golf course and golf community. But in 1980, Broward County officials decided to protect and conserve this property for residents’ enjoyment, and it eventually became Tree Tops Park. Right in the middle of residential Davie, locals now have a beautiful 243-acre community park, featuring nature trails, a thriving forest, a 1,000-foot boardwalk extending over a restored freshwater marsh, pavilions, gazebos, and even an equestrian center and equestrian trails.

Tree Tops Park’s conservation success story is evident in its lovely preservation of ancient live oaks, wetlands, and tropical hardwood hammocks. And now it’s all part of Broward County Parks and Recreation.

My friend Susan and I recently planned an outing to Tree Tops. We brought sandwiches and drinks and found plenty of tables under a beautiful oak canopy to sit at, where we enjoyed a quiet weekday picnic in nature.

You can get lost in the beauty and peace of this park, surrounded by trees, fauna, foliage, and water. And there is so much to do here. Various features include playgrounds, exercise stations, hiking, observing native plants and wildlife, climbing to the top of an observation tower, boating, fishing, and more. Visitors can rent canoes to explore the waterways, landscapes, and archaeological sites within the park. Equestrians love the 8 miles of dedicated horse trails.

There is also a large event hall, which is where Susan and I headed after we had our picnic lunch. We were driving through the park, looking for signs for a “visitors center,” but they didn’t have any, only to the “park office.” When we got inside that building, Oak Ridge Hall, we realized that’s the place we were trying to find; it has pamphlets, maps, informational displays on the walls, and other things to guide visitors. We just wished they had better signage for visitors looking for the building.

Oak Ridge Hall is a 3,440-square-foot, multipurpose building of natural wood set against an oak hammock and with a beautiful outdoor patio nestled within the trees. This building includes a reception hall, meeting rooms, catering kitchen, and bathrooms. It is available for event rentals.

After we walked all around this grand hall, inside and out, and got the lay of the land, we headed over to our next destination: the boardwalk over the marshland. There was a nice, quiet paved trail to lead us there.

Once we got to the “boardwalk,” we realized this structure wasn’t really walkways made of boards. The floor of this raised walk is cement, not wood, but the side rails are wooden boards, and regardless, we loved the lush natural views all around us. This Marsh Observation Area covers 23 acres of freshwater marsh.

Next, Susan and I wanted to go find the Observation Tower, which is in a different part of the park, so we walked back to our car parked in front of Oak Ridge Hall, and drove to the parking lot indicated on our paper map. Nearby is the 28-foot-high wooden tower, which is only handicap-accessible for the bottom half, with ramps that lead from the ground up to a wooden landing. At the landing, it’s only accessible by way of climbing three staircases to get to the top. Once up there, it’s a great place to observe birds, wildlife, and the dense vegetation all around.

After that, we drove to a small lake we had seen earlier, with picnic tables dotting part of the perimeter, and enjoyed the quiet scenery and wildlife. Even an iguana walked out to the end of a pier and gazed over the water, seeming to also enjoy the nice day.

There is much more to see at Tree Tops Park, including a lakeside cottage (also available for rental), gopher tortoise preserves, a Sam Jones exhibit and statue, a campfire ring for Scouts and other youth groups, and a biking/jogging path that connects to Pine Island Ridge Natural Area. From Tree Tops, it’s easy to access Pine Island Ridge, another park offering its own peaceful connection with nature.

During the week, there is no fee for entering Tree Tops Park. On weekends and holidays, the gate entrance fee is $3/vehicle. Entry is free for people who walk, ride bicycles, or come by horseback into the park. Visit www.broward.org/parks/Pages/Park.aspx?=40.

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The comeback of Florida’s spirit animal

As South Florida celebrates another Stanley Cup championship by the local Florida Panthers hockey team, let us not forget the continual struggles of their namesake, Florida’s state animal, the Florida panther. Luckily for the local big cats, through the efforts of conservationists, they are on the path to recovery.

Florida panthers are the North American cougar that has adapted to the Florida climate. The panthers have found a home among the tropical forests and swamps, and it is the only population of cougars in the eastern United States.

The panthers have had a challenge as Florida developed. Hunting throughout the history of Florida, and losing their natural habitat range to new developments, caused their population to shrink. By the 1970s, only about 20 Florida panthers were still alive in the wild.

Since 1981, as mandated by the Endangered Species Act, the Florida Panther Recovery Plan has been in place, run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). This program’s efforts have rebuilt the population to around 200 panthers.

The recovery had to overcome many challenges. The population by the start of the program was so small, the panthers’ genetic pool was already severely depleted. Studies showed that the low genetic diversity increased the likelihood of inbreeding among the remaining population. This was confirmed by studies on newborn panthers, and documenting their congenital issues.

A genetic rescue mission was initiated. Pumas from Texas were brought to Florida. They were  given time to adapt to the local environment. After they were deemed ready, they were released to the wild and helped to reduce inbreeding among the local Florida panthers. These newcomers were successful, and the local population showed increases after their introduction.

A new rehabilitation center was also created to help injured panthers at White Oak Conservation. Injured cats, along with orphaned kittens, were cared for at the facility. The organization, partnering with FWC, has rehabilitated and released 19 sick or injured Florida panthers as of 2020.

Why are we spending so much effort to protect the panthers? Florida panthers are at the top of the food chain in South Florida, and a keystone species in the ecosystem. They are essential in maintaining a balance in the ecosystem, and they help regulate the populations of native wildlife and manage nuisance animals.

Nuisance animals like wild hogs and pythons have grown significantly in population in Florida. The wild hog population is highest around Lake Okeechobee in forested areas, right in the history range of the Florida panthers. These wild hogs cause extensive destruction and damage to both agricultural and native plant life in South Florida. A recovery of the panthers should help in our fight to keep their population in control.

Scientists have also seen evidence of large cats predating on Burmese pythons. The invasive pythons have been attacked by Florida panthers, and smaller bobcats, especially during the colder months when pythons are naturally less active.

The recovery of Florida panthers is still ongoing, so they are not out of the woods yet. They are no longer considered critically endangered, but they are still endangered. As their population recovers, another threat is becoming more common—vehicle collisions are increasing. To avoid hitting a panther, please take care driving in rural areas of South Florida, and support efforts to create wildlife corridors, which allow the panthers to avoid crossing major roads.

The Florida Department of Transportation also runs the Florida Panther Conservation Plan, which, together with federal forestry service, sets up binding agreements between private landowners and the government to minimize and mitigate the impact of land development in critical areas, in exchange for marketable credits.

With all these continuing programs, the future of Florida panthers is hopeful, and with the efforts by local organizations, along with state and federal programs, we hope to see Florida panthers thrive as the state animal.

Native tribes believe that panthers represent courage, power, and stealth. The Seminole tribe considers it a protector, and a guardian spirit animal, while the Miccosukee tribe see panthers as a symbol of change of adaptability. It is that adaptability that may see the panthers thrive in the new ecosystem, and doing their part as the apex predator to keep the balance in the wild.

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Raising emotionally intelligent leaders

In today’s world, raising a child means navigating a reality dramatically different from the one we grew up in. Screens dominate childhood, and while technology has brought many opportunities, it has also presented serious challenges to a child’s emotional and social development. Working in early childhood education, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to equip children not just with academic knowledge, but with the emotional skills necessary to thrive in today’s fast-moving, high-pressure world.

The term emotional intelligence is not new, but it has taken on new urgency. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions while also recognizing and responding to the emotions of others. Decades of research, including from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and Dr. Daniel Goleman’s foundational studies, show that children with strong emotional skills are better equipped to lead, influence, and adapt in high-pressure environments. With stress, anxiety, and disconnection rising rapidly among young children, building these skills isn’t optional. It’s leadership preparation.

In recent years, conscious discipline, rooted in neuroscience and behavioral science, has gained ground. Dr. Becky Bailey’s conscious discipline framework emphasizes that children learn emotional regulation not through punishment or avoidance, but through modeled behavior and intentional connection. Studies at Florida State University and the University of Missouri have shown that children exposed to conscious discipline practices in early education demonstrate higher empathy, better conflict-resolution skills, and increased attention spans—vital 21st-century competencies.

The urgency is amplified by the reality of screen dependency. According to Common Sense Media, children aged 2 to 8 spend an average of 3.8 hours a day on screens outside of schoolwork. The American Academy of Pediatrics has long warned about the impact of excessive screen time on sleep, attention, and emotional regulation. Yet the conversation is no longer just about limiting screens, it’s about actively replacing those hours with meaningful, emotionally rich experiences.

Parents raising future leaders need direct, practical tools. Emotional coaching involves labeling emotions in the moment, validating children’s feelings, and guiding them toward productive coping skills. This does not mean overindulging or shielding children from difficulty. When we do this, we rob them of the small, everyday experiences that build self-esteem, confidence, and a healthy sense of worth. These moments, whether it’s resolving a disagreement with a friend or managing frustration when something doesn’t go their way, are essential for shaping resilient, capable leaders. Leadership is not just about leading others, it’s about trusting one’s voice and having the confidence to navigate challenges. That foundation is built in childhood.

Small, consistent routines foster a leadership mindset that lasts. Predictable morning rituals, mindful breathing exercises, and daily check-ins asking children how they feel equip them with the tools they need. Limiting screen time without a meaningful replacement leads to resistance. The key is substituting digital distractions with activities that nurture social-emotional learning (SEL): unstructured play, open-ended storytelling, collaborative projects, evening walks, and activities that demand teamwork and communication.

Schools must evolve too. Academic rigor alone no longer prepares children for the demands of the future. Programs integrating SEL show improved academic outcomes alongside measurable gains in empathy, resilience, and leadership. Schools that prioritize SEL are not just producing well-behaved students, they are raising leaders.

Parents often ask what they can do when the world feels overwhelming. The answer: Be present. Be intentional. Leave the phone away from the dinner table. Model calm when conflict arises. Validate feelings without rushing to fix them. Build predictable rituals. Replace screens with conversations. If we want our children to lead in the future with compassion and resilience, the work begins at home.

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Pelican Harbor Seabird Station Nonprofit celebrates 45 years and 45,000 animal rescues

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station (PHSS) is Miami’s premier native wildlife hospital, which over time has evolved into a world-class wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, release, and education center. This nonprofit organization, now in its 45th year, is an internationally recognized seabird rehabilitation center that has rehabilitated and released more than 45,000 native animals.

Like most nonprofits, PHSS started with humble beginnings. In 1980, PHSS founders Harry and Darlene Kelton lived on a houseboat and had no experience in animal care. After moving their houseboat to the Pelican Harbor Marina, they found an injured brown pelican, removed a fishhook from its mouth, and decided to nurse it back to health.

When people learned of what the Keltons had done, they started bringing injured pelicans to their houseboat. What began as a love of pelicans quickly grew into a larger calling.

As more and more people began bringing injured pelicans and other animals to them, the Keltons knew it was time to expand, to create a real rescue and rehabilitation center. Others got involved, with the Miami-Dade Parks Department providing land, and in 1992, Miami-Dade County built the organization’s current facility, which is part of the Pelican Harbor Marina.

In 1996, former Executive Director Christopher Boykin led the effort to expand PHSS’s patient intake beyond seabirds to include all Florida native species, with the exception of rabies-vector animals such as racoons and foxes, as the facility did not have space to safely quarantine them. In 2023, PHSS treated more than 2,000 animals spanning 131 native species.

The Keltons remained involved with PHSS their entire lives and were known for helping revolutionize the rehabilitation and care of brown pelicans. Harry and Darlene developed a special medical procedure called “the cotton fish,” where they would stuff fish with cotton balls and feed them to a sick pelican with a hook in its stomach. Once the fish was digested, the cotton would cover the fishhook, and in many cases, the pelican would regurgitate it.

“We still use the cotton fish technique,” says Renata Schneider, DVM, a staff veterinarian at PHSS. “I would guess that it works 50% of the time. It’s noninvasive, so we always try that first. Then if we have to do a manual or surgical removal of the hooks, at least the metal is wrapped up in cotton.”

In October, PHSS will move to a new location along the Little River (about five minutes away from its current location). The new Wildlife Hospital and Education Center is 14 times larger than the current facility and will feature more ambassador and rehabilitation pens, a center for hosting school groups, natural history exhibits, and a manatee viewing location.

“At the new building, we plan to dramatically expand our educational programming as we will finally have space on-site to welcome larger groups of children and adults,” says Marianna Niero, PHSS’s communications manager. “We are planning enhanced tours, hands-on experiences, lectures, day camps, and other programming. The additional space will also allow us to offer more volunteer opportunities of various kinds, all with the aim of creating opportunities for people to connect with our native wildlife and to the ecosystems of South Florida.”

As PHSS has grown, it’s remained committed to its mission of improving the lives of sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife with the goal of releasing healthy animals back into the ecosystem, enabling future generations.

One of PHSS’s recent rescues was a great blue heron white morph, a rare, federally protected bird that was a victim of animal cruelty. A fisherman threw a rock at it and broke its wing. The bird required multiple surgeries, but they were able to rehabilitate and release it. “The bird’s wing looks droopy, so we still get calls from people thinking it’s injured,” says Niero. “It’s nice because usually when we release a bird we don’t know how it’s doing. But because of these calls, I know it’s still there and doing well.”

According to Niero, more than 90% of the animal injuries PHSS sees are because of humans, and 70% of seabird injuries are from improper disposal of fishing equipment. “It might be cruelty, a car accident, pollution, or loss of habitat because of overdevelopment,” explains Niero. “That’s why it’s important to support organizations like ours. We owe it to wildlife because we are taking so much from them. They have no space and their environment is so polluted because of us. We should give back as much as we can.”

Some of the animals that cannot be released back into the wild become ambassadors for PHSS and help with education and outreach programs. One such ambassador is Mowgli, a female screech owl that fell from the nest as a baby and was attacked by a cat. The attack left her with a permanent injury to her left wing that makes her unable to fly properly and therefore unreleasable.

In addition to being an ambassador, Mowgli is also a teacher, training young screech owls how to hunt. “When we raise orphaned baby screech owls, before we release them, we have to make sure they know how to hunt and survive in the wild,” explains Niero. “We put Mowgli in an enclosure with the young owls, and we release mice. Thanks to game cameras, remains, and by weighing the owls, we can tell if they are learning. We call this ‘mouse school,’ and once they pass mouse school, they are cleared for release if everything else is fine with them.”

PHSS also has a library program called “Books with Mowgli,” where children can meet Mowgli and learn more about owls.

In addition to its educational programs, PHSS is open to the public as well. Free tours are available Saturdays at 11 a.m., and self-guided audio tours are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a more in-depth experience, guided “Behind the Scenes” tours are available and must be booked in advance.

For more information or to get involved, visit PelicanHarbor.org.

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Savoring 360° views above Ft. Lauderdale

It’s 17 floors up on 17th Street where we watched the world spin around. Slowly. The Pier Sixty-Six high-rise has a rooftop lounge that’s fancy, elegant, and reservation only. Pier Top Lounge rotates in a slow circle for a full 360 degrees, where patrons can experience panoramic views from the top, looking out on the Intercoastal Waterway and the yachts docked there, Port Everglades and its cruise ships in the distance, stately buildings of Fort Lauderdale, and treetops below. A little further away, one can see the Atlantic Ocean.

Pier Sixty-Six is located on 32 waterfront acres in a designated historic landmark at a beach gateway in the Harbor Beach district. The property was built in 1957 and originally owned by Phillips Petroleum Co., sellers of Phillips 66 gasoline. In the early days, a Philips 66 gas station was out front and a fuel dock in back. This site has come a long way since then, and it’s now a completely renovated, multibuilding resort and condominium complex. It was announced earlier this year that the original revolving hot spot was finally back atop the iconic tower on the 17th Street Causeway. Closed in 2017 and reopened in January 2025 after a billion-dollar reconstruction, the property is back in business.

I’d heard that the famous Pier Sixty-Six had reopened, with the Pier Top Lounge at the top, and I wanted to go check it out. I had never been to a revolving rooftop bar before. My husband Art and I decided to go there on our anniversary, and we also reserved a table at a fine-dining restaurant on-site, Calusso, which serves food inspired by the French and Italian rivieras. Our plan was to first visit Pier Top (which has a dress code), sip cocktails and take some photos, and then head down to dinner.

When we arrived, we found out that Pier Top Lounge was not yet open for the evening, so we went to sit in the beautiful hotel lobby overlooking the outdoor pool. Art walked over to Calusso to see if we could move our dinner reservation a little later, and he told them it was our anniversary and we were going to do Pier Top first. Calusso’s general manager graciously offered to call Pier Top and let them know we were going up there on our anniversary night and to give us complimentary prosecco. Nice touch!

When Pier Top opened at 5 p.m., we got in the first elevator traveling up with the maître d’ from the lobby to the top of the tower. Walking out of the elevator into the fully windowed, circular structure above the city, we were greeted with striking sights, both inside and out. The host took us to seats at a plush couch with two elegant cocktail tables close to the windows, and we scanned the menu of hors d’oeuvres and decided to try the veggie appetizer to go with our prosecco. Then we strolled around the big, round room, circling the lush retro bar in the center, to get the full 360-degree views of the surrounding area outside the windows.

We stepped through a door outside to a large balcony area overlooking the waters of the Intercoastal, for some closer views. A few patrons were hanging out there in cozy seats. Walking back inside, we realized that our original seats had moved to a different location over Fort Lauderdale, as the whole Pier Top rotated! We now had a new view from our windows. At first, we had been overlooking a marina of boats; later, our view looked out on a city skyline.

It takes about 66 minutes for the rooftop lounge to make a full revolution, not enough to send your drinks flying. If you look down at the floor, you can see it slowly turn. We enjoyed our hour in the rotating bar, savoring our prosecco and the spectacular views, and then it was time to head down to Calusso for our dinner reservation.

Our evening of impressive elegance continued as we were seated in a very comfortable semicircle booth, with views of Calusso’s patio and the marina. The ambiance, service, food, and wine were all first-rate. The server and sommelier treated us like royalty. They knew it was our anniversary and provided us with champagne at the beginning of the meal and a special dessert at the end—both complimentary again! We also shared the Lobster Parmigiana and other delectable dishes.

From the spinning top of the tower to the decadent gourmet meal in the restaurant below, we had a night we’re not likely to forget.

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Gumbo Limbo Come for the views, nature, conservation

If you would like a nature center with a coastal tropical hammock, located on a barrier island, complete with a boardwalk stroll through the coastal forest, a lush butterfly garden, resident sea turtles, and, most impressive of all, a 40-foot-tall observation tower featuring a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area, look no further than Gumbo Limbo in Boca Raton.

Driving along Route A1A in the past, I would see signs for Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, and from the outside it seemed like a nice, tranquil park at the edge of the Intercoastal Waterway. So my friend Susan and I went to check it out recently. I have mobility issues until I get my knee replaced, and stairs or steep inclines are hard for me. I knew that this venue boasted an ADA-accessible switchback ramp to ascend to “Jacob’s Outlook,” at the top of the observation tower, and I wanted to be able to make my way up there and enjoy the spectacular views.

And did we ever. After entering the main building, we were handed a map and made our way out to the Coastal Hammock Boardwalk, a 1/3-mile elevated walk through the forest leading to the new, modern observation tower. There are two ways to traverse the circular boardwalk to reach the tower: a longer path curving around to the base of a large wooden staircase, or a short walk to the ADA-compliant switchback ramp. We chose the latter.

The impressive observation tower, which juts through the green canopy of trees, is just a year old. The old tower had fallen into disrepair and was torn down. For years, nothing was there. But then work began on this state-of-the-art structure, which finally opened to the public in June 2024, and it’s stunning. The 700-linear-foot ramp is spacious and wide, with nice wood craftsmanship and handrails on either side. As we made our way upward, we followed the shallow-ramped walkway while it wrapped around the structure and switched directions, and we stopped occasionally to look out at the different views.

Emerging up in the fresh air at the apex of the tower, we found it nice and breezy—and the panoramic view from Jacob’s Outlook? Fantastic! We could see the Intercoastal, all the trees and nature below us, nice homes, and landmarks of the city in the distance. We slowly walked around and took it all in. Once a knot of visitors headed back down, Susan and I sat on one of the benches and relaxed in the peaceful quiet. A plaque nearby read, “A vista to inspire the soul from the depths of the ocean to the skies above.” And that’s what it was.

The 20-acre Gumbo Limbo Nature Center was founded in 1984, a cooperative project of the city of Boca Raton, the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, Florida Atlantic University, and the Coastal Stewards. “A beacon for environmental education, research, and conservation,” it provides refuge to plants and animals, including some rare or endangered. It is free to enter the park, but we contributed to a donation box at their welcome desk.

Gumbo Limbo’s Marine Science Lab, run by FAU, is well known in this area. Its Visitor’s Gallery, with an educational display, was designed to create public awareness about the fragility of sea turtles, South Florida’s ecosystems, and the Atlantic Ocean. FAU’s Marine Lab graduate students serve as community outreach ambassadors at the gallery.

The main venue was under some remodeling and construction when Susan and I visited, so we didn’t get to see everything. We walked around the outdoor marine aquariums, which usually hold a variety of native fish, resident sea turtles, and other marine animals. Gumbo Limbo also includes a sea turtle sculpture garden, the butterfly garden, an amphitheater, an outdoor classroom, and the Ashley Trail, a mulch-and-sand pathway that leads to the “Chiki Hut” overlooking the Intercoastal.

We had trouble finding the butterfly garden—the signage wasn’t clear, and because of the construction going on, we had to walk out to one of the two parking lots and then into a separate shady section of trees and bushes to find the butterflies flitting among the flowers. But once there, it was very secluded and bucolic.

There also is a sea turtle hospital on the property, which focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, researching, and releasing sea turtles. If anyone encounters an injured sea turtle or other wildlife, they can call the 24-hour rescue line (561-212-8691). Gumbo Limbo is a special place, and well worth a visit.

For more information, go to www.myboca.us/2485/Gumbo-Limbo-Nature-Center.

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Dive into aquaculture A sustainable seafood system

Some agricultural production systems rely on soil to farm plants for food. There’s also farming that involves raising land animals for food. But have you heard of aquaculture? Although it is sometimes referred to as “farmed fish,” aquaculture is more complex and involves both underwater plants and animals. 

Aquaculture: The Basics

Farming in water includes environments such as oceans, rivers, and even pens or tanks submerged in the water or on land, which is called inland or freshwater aquaculture. As of June 2023, there are approximately 600 species being farmed in countries around the world—significant for helping to feed the global population. Aquatic plants such as edible seaweeds or algae are being grown along with a variety of aquatic animals, including the following:

  • Fish (salmon, black sea bass, sablefish, yellowtail, pompano, trout, catfish)
  • Shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, crawfish)
  • Reptiles (crocodiles, alligators, turtles)
  • Amphibians (frogs)

Aquaculture is becoming increasingly complex, with a focus on plant and animal health and production practices. There also are other forms of farming in the water: hydroponics and aquaponics. Hydroponics is the process of farming or gardening plants in a water-based solution, rather than in soil, either on land or in water such as a lake, river, or ocean. Aquaponics is the process of growing fish and plants together in the water without soil. The nutrients for the plants come from beneficial bacteria that convert fish waste into fertilizer. The plants help keep the tanks or containers clean, so it is considered a sustainable practice.

Farmed Fish vs. Aquaculture

Aquaculture is a farming practice that does encompass “farming” fish. However, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also known as NOAA Fisheries, farm-raised fish and shellfish grown in the United States are held to rigorous standards to ensure safety. Because most seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported from other countries, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established several processes to oversee its safety.

How Aquaculture Contributes to Sustainability

Aquaculture plays an increasingly vital role in the sustainability of food that grows both in the oceans and in fresh water. It can be used to increase the accessibility and affordability of seafood for consumers, and it supports guidance such as the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which encourages the consumption of seafood for health.

Aquaculture also plays a role in supporting wild seafood. When fish and shellfish are farmed, it helps to sustain fisheries that harvest wild-caught seafood. Aquaculture also can be used to protect wild seafood habitats and to revitalize or support the environment as well as the health of threatened or endangered species of fish or shellfish.

According to the FDA, about 90% of seafood eaten in the United States is imported—and more than half of it is produced through aquaculture practices. The FDA, along with other agencies, holds seafood grown through aquaculture to the same standards as fresh or wild seafood. Aquatic animal health in the U.S. is monitored through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which works with the World Organization for Animal Health to ensure that standards are maintained in the health and safety of aquatic animals and their international trade.

As the world’s population grows and demands more seafood, it’s important for farming in water to be sustainable, safe, and effective.

Aerial view of vast coastal fish farm with numerous circular enclosures in clear blue water, showcasing aquaculture practices.

Sustainably grown, organic Alaskan kelp is harvested at the Seagrove Kelp Co. farm in Doyle Bay. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jordan Hollarsmith

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Tomorrow’s Rainbow When tragedy creates new purpose

Abby Mosher turned a personal tragedy into purpose, creating one of the most magical places for children in Coconut Creek—Tomorrow’s Rainbow.

Tomorrow’s Rainbow is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free mental health support services for children ages 3 through 18, their caregivers, and adults healing from grief, loss, or trauma. What makes Tomorrow’s Rainbow special is that it incorporates animals—specifically, horses, goats, and mini donkeys—into its program, providing outdoor, experiential sessions where children explore their world through interactions with the animals.

This year, Tomorrow’s Rainbow will celebrate its 20th year of providing these life-saving services to children—services inspired by Mosher’s difficult loss. On a family vacation in Texas 25 years ago, a head-on collision took the life of Mosher’s husband, Paul. She and her 7-year-old son, Dustin, survived but were thrust into a world of grief and loss that didn’t have many resources available for children.

“When we came back to Florida, I thought, with Broward County being the sixth-largest school district in the nation, that there’d be tons of resources available,” says Mosher. “But I found that Broward County had no children’s grief center.”

Thankfully, Mosher had insurance, so her son was able to receive individual therapy. But that therapy had its limitations. “The social isolation for him was devastating,” explains Mosher. “He didn’t have a single friend he could relate to.”

That’s when Mosher decided she wanted to create a space where families could come together with other families who knew what it was like to have someone important in their life die. She also wanted to make it accessible for those who couldn’t afford individual therapy.

Mosher didn’t know at the time that her newfound dream would quickly align with her childhood dream of owning a horse. Through her work with the parent-teacher association, she knew Wally Hennessey, a Hall of Fame harness track racer. She and her son would go to the track to watch Hennessey race.

“After the race, Wally would take his goggles off, and he’d be covered in sand, and the horse’s nostrils would be flaring from winning the race, and Wally would be perfectly peaceful,” recalls Mosher, who wanted whatever that peacefulness was. When the Hennesseys introduced her to a woman with miniature horses, she knew the animals had to be part of her program.

Three years later, Mosher met her current husband, Shel, and shared with him her dream of supporting grieving children with horses, and he was on board. Together, they purchased a 2.5-acre mini-ranch adjacent to Tradewinds Park, and in 2005, Tomorrow’s Rainbow opened its doors.

It wasn’t until after opening and going through trainings with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association that Mosher realized how powerful horses are in the healing process. “Horses are the only animal that can mirror our behavior,” explains Mosher. “The horse is the mirror for the child. So if the child doesn’t like what they see, if they adjust themselves, the horse will adjust as well.” Mosher likens it to a football player watching game tapes to get better. With horses, you watch their behavior to improve your own.

Tomorrow’s Rainbow offers bereavement group sessions and individual equine-assisted psychotherapy. When children first arrive, they undergo a screening process. Those who have suffered trauma in addition to grief are put into individual equine-assisted psychotherapy, where they work with a horse, an equine specialist, and a therapist. “We have to support the trauma before we can support the grief,” explains Mosher. “So we get them into our individual services and then when they’re ready, they can transfer to our bereavement group services.”

A bereavement session begins with introductions under a large tree, followed by an activity, horse grooming/interaction, and then play. “Kids can’t stay in their grief for a long time,” explains Mosher. “So we have to have opportunities for them to laugh and be kids.” During the bereavement session, adults are in a facilitated talk circle and given some psychoeducation on raising grieving children.

Children often tell their stories through the activities, acting out what happened at the puppet theater, or building something related to their loss at the LEGO table. Program facilitators are trained to honor the children’s stories and provide the space for them to express without judgment or shame. “We’re not teaching them how to grieve,” explains Mosher. “Children are experts in their own grief. We are supporting them. We’re not giving advice, we’re not problem-solving. It’s not a problem we can fix.”

At the end of a session, children are taken into a room filled with teddy bears where they can symbolically light a candle to remember their loved one. These charming, child-friendly touches run across the property, from the puppet theater to the teddy bear hospital to the wishing well. “We have dissolving paper so the children can write messages to their loved ones and put them in the wishing well, and the paper will dissolve, but the words will stay floating on top of the water until they’re ready to swirl it,” says Mosher.

To ensure that children of all economic backgrounds have access to these services, there is no cost for the bereavement groups. A combination of corporate and private donations, along with grants from organizations including Parkland Cares, Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, and the Jim Moran Foundation, helps offset the cost of individual psychotherapy sessions, which are normally $150 per hour. The organization runs on a tight budget, but for Mosher, the priority is the impact these services have on children.

“They come in with the weight of the world on their shoulders, and they leave joyful,” enthuses Mosher. “The energy completely changes when they realize they’re not alone and they don’t have all that stuff bottled up inside anymore, because they had a safe space for it to come out. And nobody made fun of them, nobody told them how to feel, and nobody tried to change them in any way, they just honored their journey.”

In addition to its on-site work, Tomorrow’s Rainbow has a “Grief on the Go” trailer to support underserved communities in Broward and Palm Beach counties through partnerships with nonprofits that work with at-risk children.

For Mosher, Tomorrow’s Rainbow has become her life’s mission. “I feel like I don’t work a day in my life,” she says. “To see the children and the impact this program has on their lives is a blessing. I knew we were going to help children heal. But what I didn’t know is that we would literally be saving lives, and that’s pretty powerful.”

For more information, visit TomorrowsRainbow.org.

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Breathe easy The power of houseplants as indoor air purifiers

We’re lucky to live in South Florida, where tropical plants thrive year-round and lush greenery is part of the everyday landscape. But while we enjoy our palm trees and bougainvillea outside, more and more people are bringing plants indoors—not just for their beauty, but for the hopes of cleaner air.

The idea that houseplants can help clean indoor air has been around for a while. It started with a NASA study in the late 1980s, which looked into how plants might filter air in space. Since then, there’s been ongoing curiosity about whether common houseplants can make a difference in our homes.

As it turns out, indoor air can be more polluted than we think, thanks to chemicals found in cleaning supplies, paints, furniture finishes, and even synthetic fabrics. For some, those pollutants can trigger headaches or even allergies. That’s where houseplants come in. While they’re not a magic fix, certain plants may help absorb some of those toxins—and they happen to make a room feel warmer, cozier, and more alive.

Lucky for us, you don’t have to travel far to find them. Many popular indoor plants are available at places like our local Fresh Market, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Home Depot, and even Publix.

Here are a few popular indoor plants that thrive in South Florida homes and are often praised for their air-cleaning potential.

Areca Palm

A soft, full plant that fits right into our tropical climate. It’s also said to help add moisture to the air.

Snake Plant

Very low-maintenance and tough to kill. It can handle low light and is often mentioned as a plant that helps clean the air.

Peace Lily

Easy to grow with elegant white flowers. It’s known for filtering indoor air, but it’s not safe for pets.

Pothos

Also known as devil’s ivy, this is a popular choice for beginners. It grows quickly and looks great trailing from shelves or hanging pots.

Spider Plant

A classic option that’s easy to care for and grows little baby plants that you can repot or share. It’s also believed to help with carbon monoxide and other indoor toxins.

To really feel a difference, some recommendations suggest having at least one medium-sized plant for every 100 square feet of space—but even just a couple can bring some life and freshness into a room. Experts suggest keeping leaves free of dust so the plants can “breathe,” and be sure to pay attention to their lighting and watering needs.

Whether or not they completely purify your space, houseplants have a way of making homes feel more grounded. In a world full of screens and synthetic everything, bringing in a few living, growing things might be one of the simplest ways to breathe a little easier—literally and figuratively.

NASA’s 1989 Clean Air Study is available online.

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Call of the wild Photographer Jade Cave captures nature

Born in the seaside town of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, in the United Kingdom, artist, designer, and wildlife photographer Jade Cave, 34, now calls Parkland home.

First moving from the U.K. to California when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Cave and her husband, Mark, a businessman, hit the road. They traveled 3,000 miles coast-to-coast, stopping in Arizona at the Grand Canyon National Park, Kartchner Caverns State Park, and the city of Tombstone, and of course, they visited the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City.

Arriving in Miami, they rented a house in Hallandale Beach, but it was love at first sight once they discovered the city of Parkland. “I found where I want to be,” Cave says. “It’s so beautiful here; I love all the nature.”

Growing up, Cave’s family had a home in South Africa, and they traveled there often, taking in the wildlife on safari. “Being blessed to have a house in South Africa, to have a connection with nature and experience amazing landscapes, I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors,” Cave says. The climate and landscape of Florida and the Everglades ecosystem are reminiscent to her of Africa.

With her D850 Nikon camera, Cave frequents Everglades National Park, the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and the Green Cay Nature Center & Wetlands in Boynton Beach, and Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach, where she captures birds, alligators, butterflies, and the flora and fauna.

“I love being outdoors in nature and being in the moment,” says Cave, who coincidentally was born on Earth Day.

Her photograph of Bunker, the Parkland burrowing owl who lived in her community on the 18th hole at the Parkland Golf and Country Club, is on display at the British Consulate in Miami. Another, a close-up of a long-neck white swan, titled “Reflections,” from her “Glades on Glass” collection, captures the bird with its long, S-shaped neck dipping into the water, its image reflected back.

One of her favorite images is a head-on close-up of “Fluffy,” an alligator who is anything but. To capture the image, Cave waited and watched patiently. After five hours, Fluffy jumped and the waters parted.  

Cave’s camera clicked, and she caught the shot of the day—the waters rippling around Fluffy’s giant head, his black eyes glistening in the water and his gaze staring intently at the viewer. “I love the way I captured the water moving around its face and the way the eyes stare at you,” she says.

Once she captures the shot, Cave feels elated. “When I look at my work, it takes me right back to the moment and I get an adrenaline rush,” she says. “It’s quite exciting and rewarding.”

She especially loves capturing close-ups and the emotions of the animals. She often shoots in black and white to create a stronger presence or to highlight the texture of the animal’s features.

Her photograph of a baby monkey asleep in its mother’s arms, titled “Nap Time,” from the “Spirit of Africa” collection, is an example of this black-and-white technique.  

Cave will use a zoom lens to capture an eye or to frame a face. “It enhances the details and affords a different perspective,” she says.

Self-taught, Cave honed her technique by watching YouTube videos. She rarely enhances her photographs or uses Photoshop and only edits them to crop or sharpen the image. “What you see is what you get,” she says.

Last November, Cave traveled to Tsavo West National Park in Kenya (“Africa is part of my spirit”), where she photographed monkeys, zebras, giraffes, and the African plains.  

These images, along with ones she took in the Everglades at Flamingo Campground, were on display at the Spectrum Miami Art Fair last December during Art Week in Miami. She donated 100% of her profits to the Alliance for Florida’s National Parks, where she volunteers her efforts to raise awareness about the national parks.

“Jade exudes such positive energy,” says Lulu Vilas, executive director of the Alliance. “She can light up a room with her exuberance.”

The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks, which includes Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne, the Dry Tortugas, and Everglades National Parks, raises funds and awareness to support the programs and activities of these national parks.

“Jade is never happier than when she is out in nature photographing wildlife and watching people enjoy the natural world,” Vilas says.  

“We’re fortunate to have her,” she says. “She is extremely talented and has a generous spirit.”

For Cave, being part of Art Week in Miami was a dream come true and a highlight of her career.

To celebrate becoming a U.S. citizen last August, Cave put her feelings into a creative photo shoot, hiring a model to dress as a cowgirl, representing the spirit of the U.S. The photograph, titled “Freedom,” depicts a model wearing a cowboy hat, her back to the camera, her left arm upraised swirling an American flag.

Shot in silhouette at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, against a dramatic ombré sky of grays, blues, and oranges, the photograph speaks to themes of freedom and personal reinvention, reflecting Cave’s journey and her heartfelt connection to her subjects.

“It’s my homage to America and the freedom of America,” says Cave, who learned the Bill of Rights and the Constitution as part of her journey to becoming an American citizen.

She admires the work of Big Cypress National Preserve photographer Clyde Butcher and English wildlife photographer David Yarrow, and she had the opportunity to have dinner with Yarrow three years ago in Miami.

“He inspired me to keep pursuing what I love,” says Cave, noting that it was Yarrow who suggested she use a Nikon D850.

Now she encourages others to learn the craft as well as they can, to persevere and differentiate themselves by capturing their own vision. 

While in school in England, Cave studied fashion design and fashion photography. In 2009, she won the young retail designer competition.

She also studied Rogerian person-centered existential therapy and applies those principles to artwork she creates, finding expression and meaning to create word art, sketching an image using quotes, phrases, or inspirational speeches of iconic moments in history.

Her whimsical drawings of the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album cover is a testament to her ability to merge visual and verbal expression. Depicting the four Beatles crossing the iconic walkway, the words from their lyrics—“Take a Sad Song and Make It Better,” “Baby, You Can Drive My Car,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love”—define the images.

Dyslexic as a child, Cave felt ashamed not to read or write well, and she says, “Language was my enemy.” Now, she embraces words, and they have become her medium for transformation and self-expression.

Cave is happy that people like both her photographs and her word art enough to hang on their walls.

This fall, she will exhibit her work at Silver Spring State Park in Silver Spring, Fla., and has her sights set on future gallery shows.

“There is always something new to learn and the art is forever evolving,” she says. “This adds to the excitement of being a photographer.”

Cave is excited to see where photography takes her. “My work comes from my heart,” she says. “I take something in life and transform it into art as a way to project how I see things. I give others a different view of creation.

“That, to me, is what I call art,” says Cave.

Visit Jade Cave on Instagram or at jadecaveart.com.

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