The City of Boca Raton has partnered with The Institute for Regional Conservation and local volunteers to open the Gopher Tortoise Preserve.
The nature preserve area spreads across more than 11 acres and includes a quarter-mile pedestrian walking path, bike rack, educational kiosk, six free parking spaces, and 900 feet of ADA-accessible paths. Visitors can make their way along winding paths while admiring local wildlife and maybe luck into a sighting of the elusive gopher tortoise. Through the City’s partnership with the Florida Wildlife Federation, the paths have been lined with educational signs that highlight the important role that gopher tortoises play in Florida’s ecosystem.
“Gopher Tortoise Preserve reflects Boca Raton’s continued commitment to protecting our natural spaces and providing opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with nature,” said Mayor Andy Thomson in a press statement. “Through the restoration of native scrub habitat and our partnership with the Florida Wildlife Federation, we’re creating a space where the community can enjoy Florida’s unique environment while learning about the wildlife that depends on it.”
The Gopher Tortoise Preserve is located at 10 W. Hidden Valley Blvd., Boca Raton and is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. For more information, click here.
