SUBURBAN BOYNTON BEACH, FL--"This is the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge," said Rolf Olson, Assistant Manager of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, as he pointed around the facility.
Named after a local professor who helped pioneer the effort to save the Everglades, the refuge, which has been around since 1950, has amazing natural attractions.
"It's a boardwalk that goes a half a mile through a Cypress swamp," said Olson as he showed off the wooden structure that vanished into the woods.
If it's alligators, birds and other wildlife you crave, why not check out the five and a half mile canoe trail.
"You can bring your own canoe or kayak. It's really quite popular," said Olson.
And if you think Mother Nature's exhibit is beautiful outside, just wait until you see what the humans built inside.
The visitor center is just a year old, replacing the one destroyed by Hurricane Wilma.
"And we just got our brand new exhibits installed and up and running last weekend, on Saturday," said Olson.
And what cool exhibits they are. "And so we tried to recreate a tree island for the public, and so we made it kind of raised and elevated so that the kids can actually climb under, and get the feel like they're going underneath the water," said Olson showing off one of the displays.
Ever wanted to glide through the Everglades without being outside? "So what we tried to do is recreate an airboat ride on the refuge," said Olson, gesturing to an airboat with a movie screen attached to its bow.
There are interactive games, high tech displays, and even a theater with a great new film about the history of this area.
The cost of all this new stuff, about one million dollars. Half from private donors and organizations, and the other half from the U.S. Government.
But the cost for you? "Five dollars a car load," said Olson.
So whether inside or out, it's a great way to spend a day. And hopefully you'll take away what this place is all about. "Just to really learn and enjoy, and learn to love the area," said Olson.
