BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation will mark Earth Day with a large public event at Daggerwing Nature Center, bringing hands-on environmental programming, live animal encounters, and family activities to West Boca later this month.
The Earth Day Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, 11435 Park Access Road. The event is open to all ages and free to attend, with no reservations required.
Earth Day is observed annually on April 22 as a global effort to promote environmental protection and awareness. First established in 1970, the day now includes community events, educational programs, and conservation initiatives focused on issues such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Local agencies often use the occasion to connect residents with practical ways to reduce environmental impact.
At Daggerwing, the April 25 event is one of the nature center’s largest programs of the year. Activities are designed to be interactive and accessible, with a focus on conservation and local ecosystems.
Planned programming includes live animal presentations, environmental education displays, crafts, games, and a scavenger hunt. Organizers will also host a butterfly plant sale featuring host and nectar plants used to support pollinators, along with a dedicated pollinator education station.
A featured activity is the scheduled ladybug release in the center’s butterfly garden. Participants can purchase small quantities of ladybugs, which are commonly used in gardens as a natural form of pest control. A single ladybug can consume thousands of soft-bodied insects such as aphids over its lifetime, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
The event will also include participation from the South Florida Herpetological Society, which is expected to bring reptiles for educational demonstrations, and the Palm Beach County Library System’s West Boca branch, which will offer environmentally themed story times.
Additional amenities include Kona Ice for refreshments during the event.
Daggerwing Nature Center, operated by Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, serves as an environmental education hub in western Boca Raton, with a focus on wetlands ecosystems and wildlife native to South Florida. The facility regularly hosts monthly programming tied to conservation, wildlife education, and outdoor recreation.
Beyond the Earth Day event, April programming at the center includes a butterfly gardening workshop focused on planting strategies for pollinators, a bat education program presented by Bat Conservation International, and a guided Full Moon Night Hike along the boardwalk.
Other scheduled activities include youth-oriented programs on turtles, birds, and introductory archery, as well as early childhood nature education sessions.
Officials encourage residents to attend the Earth Day event as an entry point into ongoing programming and to learn practical steps for environmental stewardship at home, including gardening for pollinators and reducing reliance on chemical treatments.
While admission is free, some activities may involve a small donation to the Friends of Daggerwing Nature Center, a support organization that helps fund programming and educational initiatives.
The event will take place rain or shine, and attendees are advised to plan for outdoor conditions.
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