Miami Zoos & Wildlife Parks
- Zoo Miami — 12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177 • (305) 251-0400 • zoomiami.org
- Monkey Jungle — 14805 SW 216th St, Miami, FL 33170 • (305) 235-1611 • monkeyjungle.com
- Zoological Wildlife Foundation (ZWF, tours only) — 16225 SW 172nd Ave, Miami, FL 33187 • (305) 969-3696 • zoologicalwildlifefoundation.com
- Everglades Alligator Farm — 40351 SW 192nd Ave, Homestead, FL 33034 • (305) 247-2628 • everglades.com
Wildlife Rescue & Sanctuaries
- Everglades Outpost Wildlife Sanctuary — 35601 SW 192nd Ave, Homestead, FL 33034 • (305) 247-8000 • evergladesoutpost.org
- Wildlife Rescue of Dade County — Contact for location • (305) 342-1075 • dadewildliferescue.com
- Pelican Harbor Seabird Station — 1279 NE 79th St, Miami, FL 33138 • (305) 751-9840 • pelicanharbor.org
Nature & Environmental Education Centers
- A.D. Barnes Park – Sense of Wonder Nature Center — 3401 SW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL 33155 • (305) 662-4124 • adbarnes.wordpress.com
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center (Crandon Park) — 6767 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 • (305) 361-6767 • biscaynenaturecenter.org
- Crandon Nature Center (Miami-Dade Parks) — 6767 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 • (305) 361-6767 • miamidade.gov/parks/crandon-beach.asp
- Tropical Audubon Society – Steinberg Nature Center — 5530 Sunset Dr, Miami, FL 33143 • (305) 667-7337 • tropicalaudubon.org
- Castellow Hammock Preserve & Nature Center — 22301 SW 162nd Ave, Miami, FL 33170 • (305) 242-7688 • miamidade.gov/parks/castello-hammock.asp
- Camp Owaissa Bauer Park & Nature Center — 17001 SW 264th St, Homestead, FL 33031 • (305) 247-6016 • miamidade.gov/parks/owaissa-bauer-camp.asp
- Bill Sadowski Park & Nature Center — 17555 SW 79th Ave, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 • (305) 255-4767 • miamidade.gov/parks/bill-sadowski.asp
- Arch Creek Park & Museum / Nature Center — 1855 NE 135th St, North Miami, FL 33181 • (305) 944-6111 • miamidade.gov/parks/arch-creek.asp
- Oleta River State Park (education programs) — 3400 NE 163rd St, North Miami Beach, FL 33160 • (305) 919-1844 • floridastateparks.org
- Deering Estate (environmental & archaeology programs) — 16701 SW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL 33157 • (305) 235-1668 • deeringestate.org
National Park Visitor & Education Centers
- Biscayne National Park – Dante Fascell Visitor Center — 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033 • (305) 230-1144 • nps.gov/bisc
- Everglades National Park – Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center — 40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL 33034 • (305) 242-7700 • nps.gov/ever
- Everglades National Park – Shark Valley Visitor Center — 36000 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33194 • (305) 221-8776 • nps.gov/ever
Botanical Gardens & Plant-Focused Parks (Miami-Dade)
Fun Learning Questions for Animal Adventures (Miami-Dade County)
Use these conversation starters and reflection questions during your visits to Miami-Dade animal attractions and nature centers like Zoo Miami, Monkey Jungle, Zoological Wildlife Foundation (tours only), Everglades Alligator Farm, rescue and rehab sites like Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, and nature/education spots such as Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, Oleta River State Park, Deering Estate, plus national park visitor centers for Biscayne and Everglades. Choose questions by your child’s age group—and pick just a few per stop so it stays fun.
Ages 4–7 (Early Learners)
- What colors, spots, stripes, or patterns do you see on this animal or plant?
- How many legs, wings, fins, or petals can you count?
- What sound do you think it makes? Can you make the sound?
- Do you think it lives on land, in trees, or in the water?
- What do you think it eats (or what helps this plant grow)?
- Can you move like it? (Waddle, slither, climb, hop, swim!)
- What do you notice first—its size, color, shape, or behavior?
- Which animal, bird, fish, or plant was your favorite today—and why?
Ages 8–11 (Elementary Learners)
- What habitat is this—mangrove, wetland, ocean, pine rockland, or tropical forest?
- What adaptations help this animal survive (camouflage, sharp beak, strong tail, webbed feet, thick skin)?
- Is this animal a predator, prey, or scavenger? What clues make you think so?
- How do you think zookeepers, educators, or rangers help animals stay healthy?
- At a rescue/rehab center, what are common reasons animals need help (injury, pollution, boats, fishing line, habitat loss)?
- If you’re near mangroves or wetlands, how do these places protect shorelines and help wildlife?
- In Biscayne Bay or at an aquarium-style exhibit, how do fish and marine mammals breathe differently?
- What was the most surprising or unusual animal, bird, or plant you saw today?
Ages 12–15 (Middle School Learners)
- What ecosystem does this species belong to, and what role does it play (keystone species, top predator, pollinator, decomposer)?
- How does its body structure (teeth, beak, limbs, eyes, skin, scales) match its diet and behavior?
- What conservation challenges affect this species in South Florida (development, invasive species, water quality, sea level rise, storms)?
- What are ethical differences between a zoo, a wildlife sanctuary, a rehab center, and a tour-only private facility?
- How do visitor behaviors impact wildlife (feeding, noise, litter, staying on trails, fishing line disposal)?
- At Everglades sites, what’s the difference between an alligator and a crocodile, and why do both matter?
- At a park or preserve, what evidence of animal life do you see besides the animals themselves (tracks, nests, scat, chewed leaves)?
- If you could design a homeschool mini-project from today, what question would you investigate?
Ages 16 and Up (High School & Family Discussion)
- How do responsible wildlife facilities balance public access, funding, education, and animal welfare?
- What are the benefits and limits of wildlife rehabilitation and release programs (success rates, stress, disease, human imprinting)?
- How do laws and enforcement affect wildlife outcomes (exotic pet trade rules, boating regulations, protected species laws)?
- What is the connection between Everglades water management, urban development, and biodiversity in Miami-Dade?
- How might climate change impact local ecosystems you’re seeing (sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, coral stress, stronger storms)?
- What role do national parks play beyond tourism (research, habitat protection, policy, education)?
- In botanical gardens and plant-focused parks, why are plant collections important for conservation and food systems?
- If you were creating an outreach program for one of these Miami-Dade sites, what would you teach and how would you measure impact?
Reflection for All Ages
- What was your favorite animal, exhibit, trail, or garden area today?
- What new fact did you learn that surprised you?
- What did you notice that you didn’t expect (sounds, smells, behavior, plants, tracks)?
- If you could volunteer at one of these places, what job would you want to do (educator, animal care, habitat cleanup, research helper, photographer, guide)?
- What is one small action you can take this week to help local wildlife (reduce plastic, pick up litter, secure trash, plant natives, dispose fishing line properly)?