Trout Lake Nature Center

03/19/2026

Reminder: This Saturday, March 21, at1:30 PM.

🐣 Naturalist Program: Eggs in Nature on March 21, 1:30 PM

During this time of year, many animals are reproducing and laying eggs. It’s not only birds—reptiles, insects, frogs, toads, and marine animals also lay eggs. In this program, you will learn about the different kinds of eggs you might find in your neighborhood or at Trout Lake Nature Center (TLNC) and the special adaptations eggs have that help species survive.

After the learning session, participants can join an Egg Hunt Scramble on the trails. Eggs will be hidden along the trails, and each egg contains a letter. You collect the letters and unscramble them to form a hidden phrase. While searching, you may also discover interesting natural items along the way.

No reservation is required.

Non-TLNC members must pay a $5 per vehicle entry fee.

🌿 The event is designed to be fun, educational, and interactive for visitors.

03/18/2026

Here's a fun activity that you can do with your children, family or just yourself. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hold a scavenger hunt on Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state caled Florida WildQuest.

Using the free and easy-to-use GooseChase app, WMA visitors will go on a wild adventure and discover some of Florida’s best spots to see wildlife and enjoy the outdoors. Go to FloridaWildQuest.com to learn more, get the ap. This scavenger hunt runs from April 25 to May 3.

SlideFind ABelted KingfisherLook near rivers, lakes, or ponds, where they perch on branches and dive headfirst into the water to catch fish. SlideFind ARacoonLook for raccoons near forests, neighborhoods, or water at night, where they use their clever hands to search for food. SlideFind ABarred OwlL...

03/18/2026

A HUGE shout out to Eagle Scout Zoie for creating the amazing Story Walk along the Adventure Trail at Trout Lake Nature Center! 🌿📖

With 14 reading stations spread throughout the trail, it’s a fun and engaging way for visitors of all ages to enjoy nature and storytelling at the same time. Thank you, Zoie, for this wonderful addition to the park!

03/17/2026

We recently learned of the passing of Dorothea Panzer a founding member of the Trout Lake Nature Center. We applaud her forward thinking in helping to establish TLNC. It is a legacy her family and friend can be proud of.

03/17/2026

The Florida Wildlife Federation recently developed a resource to help increase awareness of the importance of protecting the gopher tortoises and their ecosystem. It is called Keystone Keeper Partner: https://floridawildlifefederation.org/keystone-keepers/.

We are Keystone Keeper Partners and placed signs on our gopher tortoise ambassador's habitat to emphasize the importance of this species. The Trout Lake Nature is not the correct habitat for gopher tortoises since we are primarily a wetland. We do educate about the importance of gopher tortoises for so many Florida species of animals. Go to this website to learn what you can do to help.

Explore the Keystone Keeper partner resource page from the Florida Wildlife Federation, supporting gopher tortoise conservation and protecting Florida’s vital ecosystems.

03/16/2026

🐣 Naturalist Program: Eggs in Nature on March 21, 1:30 PM

During this time of year, many animals are reproducing and laying eggs. It’s not only birds—reptiles, insects, frogs, toads, and marine animals also lay eggs. In this program, you will learn about the different kinds of eggs you might find in your neighborhood or at Trout Lake Nature Center (TLNC) and the special adaptations eggs have that help species survive.

After the learning session, participants can join an Egg Hunt Scramble on the trails. Eggs will be hidden along the trails, and each egg contains a letter. You collect the letters and unscramble them to form a hidden phrase. While searching, you may also discover interesting natural items along the way.

No reservation is required.

Non-TLNC members must pay a $5 per vehicle entry fee.

🌿 The event is designed to be fun, educational, and interactive for visitors.

03/12/2026

You never know what you’re going to see at Trout Lake Nature Center. Today it was the gator resting in the warm sun, delicate blue-eyed grass, bright coral honeysuckle, and a species of robber fly making the rounds. Nature always finds a way to surprise you. 🐊🌼🐝

03/12/2026

🌿 Meet Tripod the Gopher Tortoise! 🐢

Come to Trout Lake Nature Center on March 14 and meet Tripod while learning about the Florida native gopher tortoise.

🕜 Presentation: 1:30 PM
📍 Location: Education Building

Arrive early or stay after the presentation to enjoy a relaxing walk on the nature trails and explore the beautiful grounds. 🌳

🚗 Facility entry fee: $5 per vehicle
💚 Free for TLNC members

Bring your curiosity and come discover more about one of Florida’s most important native species!

03/11/2026

Final Sunday Funday of the Season: Explore the World of Insects! 🐞
Join us for the final Sunday Funday of the season as we explore the fascinating small world of insects that surrounds us. Although many of us fear insects such as cockroaches, ticks, and mosquitoes, we depend on them to pollinate our food, aerate our soils, and serve as the foundation of many food chains.
Interactive learning stations will be set up so visitors can move through the activities at their own pace. Experience the world through the eyes of an insect! This is your chance to see bugs from around the world, investigate aquatic insects up close, and talk with experts to learn about mosquitoes, the insects in the extensive TLNC collection, and the honeybees in our hives.
Sunday Fundays are fun for the whole family and for visitors of all ages. Bring your friends and enjoy an afternoon of learning and exploring.
🌿 Guided Trail Walk
Join Clyde Stephens for a guided trail walk in search of TLNC insects.
Scheduled walks:
1:15 – 1:45 PM
2:15 – 2:45 PM
Event Information
No reservation required
Non-TLNC members: $5 per vehicle entry fee
Entry includes full access to TLNC trails and exhibits
Come discover the incredible insects that help keep our ecosystem thriving!

03/09/2026

🐍 Painted Rock Snake at Trout Lake Nature Center! 🎨
During Sunday Funday on March 8, we started a Painted Rock Snake at Trout Lake Nature Center—and we want it to keep growing!
When you visit TLNC, bring a painted rock to add to the snake and help it stretch longer and longer. Get creative with your designs—animals, nature scenes, bright colors, or your favorite patterns!
📍 Stop by, explore the trails, and add your rock to the snake next time you visit. Let’s see how long we can make it!

03/09/2026

🐊🐍 Sunday Funday at Trout Lake Nature Center – March 8 🐢🎨

Trout Lake Nature Center hosted a reptile-themed Sunday Funday filled with fun learning activities for visitors of all ages! Guests explored multiple stations focused on reptiles and discovered more about some of Florida’s most fascinating species.

We were thrilled to have two guest speakers:
• Robin Shapiro, who shared fascinating information about the American Alligator
• Nick Clark, who presented about the incredible Eastern Indigo Snake

Visitors also got creative by making turtle bookmarks and painted rocks to add to our growing TLNC Painted Rock Snake.

A special thank you to LCWA for participating with their engaging gopher burrow activity, and to the many TLNC volunteers who hosted stations and activities throughout the day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of learning, creativity, and celebrating Florida’s reptiles! 💚

Next Funday on April 12: Insects Galore!

03/09/2026

The 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest – Your Story, Our Ocean – invites you to explore how the ocean sustains, protects, and inspires us all. Reflect on your personal connection to the ocean, whether you live near it or far away, and share how it has shaped your story. From climate regulation and food to creativity and culture, the ocean’s impact is vast.

If you are between the age of 11 and 18, this is your chance to turn your ideas into impact. Whether through art, writing, film, music, poetry, or multimedia, your work can help spark conversations about the future of our blue planet.

Go to https://bowseat.org/programs/ocean-awareness-contest/contest-overview/ to learn more about this contest and to enter.

The global Ocean Awareness Contest invites teens to explore water conservation through visual art, poetry & spoken word, creative writing, film, performing art, and interactive & multimedia.