BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is planning a new exhibit designed to bring Florida’s wildlife and ecosystems closer to home for Boca Raton visitors, with an opening targeted for summer 2026.
The center, located at 1801 N Ocean Blvd. on Boca Raton’s barrier island, announced Feb. 18 that its newest attraction will be called Florida’s Wild Backyard, described as an interactive exhibit built around the native animals and habitats that exist across the state and, in many cases, right here along the coast.
The exhibit is being developed in a familiar part of the facility. Florida’s Wild Backyard will be located in the reimagined space of the former sea turtle rehabilitation area, near Gumbo Limbo’s shallow aquariums. The center said the project will use existing infrastructure already in place, including seawater supply and tanks, to support the new displays and make the space more accessible for visitors.
Gumbo Limbo said the exhibit is aimed at visitors of all ages and will include engaging displays and hands-on activities focused on Florida ecosystems and the animals that live within them. Planned features include exhibits highlighting native reptiles, plants, and aquatic species, with examples listed as native snake species, gopher tortoises, box turtles, and various marine animals.
A key interactive element will be a scavenger hunt designed to teach visitors how to identify invasive species and understand the threats those species can pose to local habitats. The center said the scavenger hunt will also include education tied to responsible pet ownership and the ways pet releases and other human activity can impact Florida’s ecosystems.
The announcement framed Florida’s Wild Backyard as an extension of Gumbo Limbo’s broader education and conservation mission, with an emphasis on animals that live on Boca’s barrier island but are not always obvious to the public. The exhibit is intended to highlight how these animals survive and what makes their environments vulnerable, while encouraging visitors to understand conservation basics and what individuals can do to protect sensitive habitats.
For Boca Raton residents, Gumbo Limbo is already a regular stop for school groups, families, and visitors looking for a low-cost nature outing close to the beach. Alongside the new exhibit plans, the center highlighted existing features available now, including the boardwalk through the coastal forest and Jacob’s Outlook, the center’s 40-foot observation tower with an ADA-accessible switchback ramp. The center also pointed to its butterfly garden, the Ashley Trail, and a chiki hut overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.
Gumbo Limbo’s outdoor marine aquariums remain home to a mix of native fish, resident sea turtles, and other marine animals. The announcement also noted that Florida Atlantic University has an onsite marine science laboratory with a gallery where visitors can view ongoing research projects.
The center encouraged residents to visit now and return when Florida’s Wild Backyard opens. For planning purposes, Gumbo Limbo said the Nature Center & Aquariums are open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Monday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Nature Trail, Boardwalk, and Jacob’s Outlook are accessible Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. until sunset.
The announcement was issued under the umbrella of the City of Boca Raton Recreation Services Department, which oversees a wide range of public facilities and services across the city, including parks, community centers, aquatic facilities, golf courses, libraries, tennis centers, beach parks, Ocean Rescue lifeguards, and other programs.
Residents looking for more information about Florida’s Wild Backyard or Gumbo Limbo’s programming can call (561) 544-8605 or visit the center’s website.
Trusted Boca News, reported locally and updated daily across Boca Raton.
