Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands

Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands Green Cay Nature Center is a facility owned and operated by Palm Beach County. Call for current hours. The boardwalk is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Green Cay Nature Center is the county's newest nature center that overlooks 100 acres of constructed wetland and provides educational opportunities about this unique habitat. The wetland features 1.5 miles of elevated boardwalk featuring interpretive signs about the habitat. The Nature Center includes a lecture hall, gift shop, and live animals in an extensive exhibit room that highlights wetland

attributes. Come for a visit and find that there's something for everyone at this fantastic facility!​

Nature Center hours are seasonal. Benefits of visiting Green Cay Nature Center
• Environmental Awareness: Exposure to nature fosters a greater appreciation for the environment.
• Physical health: Engaging in outdoor activities improves physical health.
• Mental health: Nature-based activities have been shown to improve mental health by reducing stress and boosting self-esteem.
• Creativity and imagination: Being in nature stimulates creativity and imagination. Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://bit.ly/GreenCayNewsletter

Fun Fact FridayThe Red-winged Blackbird is one of nature's most adaptable diners! During the warmer months, these striki...
06/26/2026

Fun Fact Friday

The Red-winged Blackbird is one of nature's most adaptable diners! During the warmer months, these striking birds help control insect populations by feeding on beetles, caterpillars, flies, and other insects. As the seasons change, their menu shifts toward seeds and grains, making sunflower seeds a favorite snack at backyard feeders.

But that's not all! Red-winged Blackbirds are opportunistic feeders and have been known to eat spiders, small frogs, snails, and even carrion when the opportunity arises. This varied diet helps them thrive in wetlands, fields, marshes, and even suburban neighborhoods.

Keep an eye (and ear!) out for male Red-winged Blackbirds at Green Cay. Their bright red-and-yellow shoulder patches and distinctive "conk-la-ree!" call make them one of the easiest wetland birds to spot and identify.

Have you seen a Red-winged Blackbird on the boardwalk recently? Let us know in the comments!

Did You Know?The Eastern Phoebe holds a special place in ornithological history—it was the first bird ever recorded thro...
06/24/2026

Did You Know?

The Eastern Phoebe holds a special place in ornithological history—it was the first bird ever recorded through scientific bird banding in North America!

Bird banding is an important research tool that helps scientists learn about a bird's life. During the process, a lightweight metal band with a unique identification number is carefully placed around a bird's leg. If that bird is later found or recaptured, researchers can gather valuable information about its migration routes, lifespan, nesting success, population trends, and habitat use.

The first documented banded bird was an Eastern Phoebe in 1803, when naturalist John James Audubon tied silver threads to the legs of phoebe nestlings to see if they would return to the same nesting site the following year. They did—making it one of the earliest studies of bird migration and site fidelity!

Next time you're exploring Green Cay, listen for the Eastern Phoebe's distinctive call, which sounds like it is saying its name: "fee-bee!" You might just spot this historic little flycatcher perched on a branch, waiting to catch insects in midair.

Time Travel Through the Wetlands with Chronolog!Did you know Green Cay has an interactive citizen science project right ...
06/22/2026

Time Travel Through the Wetlands with Chronolog!

Did you know Green Cay has an interactive citizen science project right on the back deck behind the building? It’s called Chronolog — and you can help document how the wetlands change over time!
How it works
1. Walk to the Chronolog photo station on the back deck.
2. Place your phone in the cradle and line up the view.
3. Snap a photo.
4. Email it using the address listed on the sign below the cradle.
5. Your image is automatically added to the Green Cay Chronolog timeline.

Why it matters
Every photo becomes part of a community-powered time-lapse showing seasonal changes, water levels, vegetation growth, wildlife habitat shifts, and long-term wetland trends.
By participating, you’re helping build a visual record that supports education and public engagement with local ecosystems.

So next time you visit:
Find the Chronolog station on the back deck.
1. Take a photo.
2. Email it in.
3. Watch the wetland’s story grow, one image at a time.
Fun Fact: Because every participant photographs the same viewpoint, Chronolog creates a consistent visual record that makes changes through seasons and years much easier to compare than random snapshots.

Happy Father's Day from all of us at Green Cay Nature Center & Wetlands!As always, the boardwalk is open daily from sunr...
06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day from all of us at Green Cay Nature Center & Wetlands!

As always, the boardwalk is open daily from sunrise to sunset, offering the perfect opportunity to connect with nature. Bring Dad out for a relaxing day of birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and exploring the beauty of the wetlands at Green Cay. With plenty of birds, butterflies, and other native wildlife to discover, it's a wonderful way to spend quality time outdoors and celebrate Father's Day in nature.

Happy First Day of Summer! Summer officially began today at 4:24 a.m., marking the summer solstice—the longest day of th...
06/20/2026

Happy First Day of Summer!

Summer officially began today at 4:24 a.m., marking the summer solstice—the longest day of the year and the day with the most daylight hours!

Did you know? The summer solstice occurs when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted closest to the Sun, allowing us to enjoy extra hours of sunshine. That means more time to explore, observe wildlife, and connect with nature.

Why not celebrate the season by visiting Green Cay Nature Center & Wetlands? Take a stroll along the boardwalk, listen for birdsong, watch for turtles and alligators, and discover the amazing plants and animals that call our wetlands home.

Grab your binoculars, bring your sense of adventure, and make the most of the year's longest day. Nature is waiting!

Fan Foto Friday! Today’s amazing photo comes to us from Dana K. Williams! Thank you, Dana, for sharing this incredible c...
06/19/2026

Fan Foto Friday!

Today’s amazing photo comes to us from Dana K. Williams! Thank you, Dana, for sharing this incredible close-up of an Anhinga drying its wings at Green Cay Nature Center & Wetlands.

Take a look at the incredible detail in those feathers! Anhingas are often seen with their wings spread wide after swimming, allowing their feathers to dry. Unlike many water birds, their feathers are not fully waterproof, which helps them dive underwater to catch fish.

We appreciate you capturing and sharing this beautiful moment with our Green Cay community!

Want to see your photo featured on Fan Foto Friday? Share your favorite snapshots from Green Cay Nature Center & Wetlands! Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or simply capturing a special moment during your visit, we’d love to see the beauty of Green Cay through your eyes.

Email your photos to [email protected] for a chance to be featured!

Let’s celebrate the wildlife, scenery, and unforgettable moments that make Green Cay a place to explore, discover, and enjoy.

In observance of Juneteenth, the Nature Center building will be closed today.The boardwalk will remain open and accessib...
06/19/2026

In observance of Juneteenth, the Nature Center building will be closed today.

The boardwalk will remain open and accessible from sunrise to sunset, providing an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the wetlands and observe local wildlife.

We wish everyone a meaningful Juneteenth as we reflect on and celebrate this important day in our nation's history.

Love Green Cay?Here's a simple way to make a difference.The Friends of Green Cay Nature Center are looking for volunteer...
06/18/2026

Love Green Cay?

Here's a simple way to make a difference.

The Friends of Green Cay Nature Center are looking for volunteers to help keep our gift shop running smoothly. Every purchase made in the gift shop helps support educational programs, animal care, conservation efforts, and community events at Green Cay.

We're currently looking for:
🦉 A weekly Thursday afternoon volunteer (12–3 PM)
🌿 Flexible volunteers interested in helping with substitute coverage and behind-the-scenes projects

If you enjoy helping people, staying organized, and supporting a place you care about, we'd love to welcome you to the team.

Interested? Contact Volunteer Coordinator Blake Scarborough at [email protected].

The Butterfly Garden is putting on a spectacular summer show!As you stroll the boardwalk, take a moment to explore the B...
06/18/2026

The Butterfly Garden is putting on a spectacular summer show!

As you stroll the boardwalk, take a moment to explore the Butterfly Garden, where colorful blooms and fluttering wings are creating a beautiful display. Bright yellow Bahama Senna, vibrant Firebush, colorful Sage, and the ever-popular Cat Whiskers are all in bloom.

Looking for butterflies? Join us for our next Butterfly Talk & Tour. Or your best chance is after 10:00 a.m. on sunny days with little wind. Keep an eye out for Zebra Longwings, Florida's state butterfly, as well as Monarchs visiting the garden.

One of the stars of the garden right now is the native Firebush. Its orange-red tubular flowers provide an important nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds, while its berries help feed birds throughout the season.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Butterfly Garden volunteers and the support of the Friends of Green Cay, the garden continues to provide valuable habitat for pollinators. In fact, this year we recorded the highest number of Monarch chrysalises ever observed in the garden!

Stop by and discover the beauty of native plants and the wildlife they support. Butterfly Garden volunteers are often available on Friday mornings to answer questions and share their knowledge.

Which butterfly have you spotted recently in the garden?

📸 Photos taken by volunteer butterfly gardener, Nancy Feldman-Saylor

Purple Martin season is winding down at Green Cay, but there is still time to catch the action!Our Purple Martin colony ...
06/17/2026

Purple Martin season is winding down at Green Cay, but there is still time to catch the action!

Our Purple Martin colony has had another incredible year. During our final nest check, all 47 nesting gourds contained active nests, eggs, or young birds. By the end of the season, we had documented an estimated 119 fledglings already taking to the skies, with 42 hatchlings still growing in the nest and 8 eggs yet to hatch.

Thanks to the dedication of our "Purple Squad" volunteers, Green Cay naturalists, and Audubon Everglades Purple Martin Conservation Coordinator Shelly Rozenberg, we are expecting approximately 170 fledglings this season — nearly matching last year's impressive numbers.

The skies above the wetlands are currently filled with aerial acrobatics as adults and newly fledged young birds swoop overhead catching insects on the wing. By late July, these remarkable travelers will begin their long journey to South America, not returning to South Florida until next February.

Now is the perfect time to visit and experience one of summer's greatest wildlife spectacles at Green Cay!

Have you spotted our Purple Martins this season? Let us know in the comments!

Address

12800 Hagen Ranch Road
Boynton Beach, FL
33437

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+15619667000

Website

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