Boyd Hill Nature Preserve facts for kids

View of Downtown St. Petersburg from boardwalk over protected wetlands.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a 245-acre (99 ha) protected area in St. Petersburg, Florida, Pinellas County, Florida. Boyd Hill Park was originally a zoo and botanical garden for the city of St. Petersburg. It has since come to include natural habitats and tropical landscapes along the shores of Lake Maggiore. The preserve is located on the shores of Lake Maggiore (Florida) in south St. Petersburg. It is operated by St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation and includes the Boyd Hill Environmental Center, a bird-of-prey aviary, and more than three miles of trails through a variety of ecosystems. Facilities include a playground and picnic areas. The preserve is used for school field trips and hosts environmental education programs. It is located at 1101 Country Club Way South.

The park is open 9-5, with longer hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer. It has strategically placed cold water stations around the park . There is a paved bike path that makes a loop through the park and just inside the park entrance, there is a wild bird aviary. There is also picnic area available for use, outside the park gates.

Ecosystem

• Lake Maggiore - The lake has a view of downtown St. Petersburg and connects approximately 380 acres together. This is a home and food source to local wildlife and migrating birds.
• Swamp - Connected to Lake Maggiore. The swamp is surrounded by tall bald cypress, red maple trees, giant leather leaf ferns, and lizard's tail.
• Pine Flatwoods - The plants and animals in this ecosystem have adapted themselves to be fire dependent. Some plant adaptations include long root systems, flaky bark, and wax covered leaves.
• Sand Scrub - Sand Scrub has about 2% of its original habitat remaining. In Florida, it is known as one of the most endangered habitats. Rare, sensitive plants grow here.
• Hammock - The Hammock is a wooded habitat that is slightly higher than the rest of the preserve's ecosystem. It has a dense canopy, created by Live Oak, Sabal Palm, and other trees.