Hungryland Slough Natural Area
Skeleton Trees of the Slough
Flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors arefound at Hungryland Slough. Tiny purpleand yellow bladderwort carpet thewetland mudflats. These carnivorousplants are named for the tiny air sacs thatkeep the plant afloat. Pickerelweed hasdeep purple flowers atop a large stalk.The bloosoms attract bees and otherpollinators. The large white spider lilyflowers are easy to spot in the woods.
Beautiful Blossoms
Birds of a Feather
The Benefits of Fire
The white “carcasses” of dead melaleuca trees canbe seen in several wetlands throughout HungrylandSlough Natural Area. The melaleuca is an invasivenonnative tree from Australia. It was introduced intothe South Florida environment in the early 1900s ina mistaken attempt to dry up the Everglades. Thetrees are now found as far north as central Florida.They have infested millions of acres of fragilewetlands. The Palm Beach County Department ofEnvironmental Resources Management activelyremoves melaleuca, and other invasive nonnativeplants, from county natural areas to preserve nativeecosystems and provide healthy habitat for wildlife.
The wetlands and pine forests are a bird watchersparadise. Wading birds like the great blue heron, whiteibis, and roseate spoonbill flock to the wetlands insearch of food. Florida sandhill cranes (pictured on thefront of the trail guide) raise their young in the openprairies. Birds of prey, including osprey, bald eagle, andred-shouldered hawk, sit in the tall pine trees and watchthe bird watchers! Songbirds, including the cardinal andpine warbler, fill the natural area with their lilting calls.Birds rule the roost at Hungryland Slough!
Pine flatwoods cover more than 50% of Hungryland Slough. Dominated by slash pines, they are fire-dependent habitats. Periodic fires reduce hardwood competition, improve wildlife habitat, and removedead vegetation. The Department utilizes prescribed burns to maintain a healthy forest ecosystem. Staffuse drip torches to light fires that are carefully monitored to prevent the flames from spreading outsidethe burn area. Plants such as gallberry and saw palmetto burn quickly and intensely, but their roots remainalive. Days after a fire, fresh green shoots appear in the charred landscape. Look for black burn scars ontree trunks - signs that a fire swept through the area.
Beeline Highway
Parking
Information Kiosk
○ ○ ○ ○ Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail - 4.3 milesSouth Loop Hiking Trail - 3.75 milesC-18 Canal Right-of-Way - 3.4 miles
Natural Area Boundary
○ ○ ○ ○
Restoring the WetlandsThe wetlands of Hungryland Slough were impacted by ten culverts that drained water along thesouthern and eastern boundaries into the C-18 Canal. Dirt roads and additional canals wereconstructed on 1,770 acres in the Unit 11 Tract. This disturbance allowed melaleuca and otherinvasive nonnative plants to invade the area. Eradication of these destructive plants began in1998. Five of the ten culverts were removed to restore water levels in the wetlands. Therestoration work was completed in 2007. The restored wetlands are a magnet for wildlife,including the endangered Everglade snail kite.
Beware the Dragons!The skies above the wetlands arefilled with ferocious beasts that eatjust about anything they can catch.Don’t worry, these predators aredragonflies and they prey oninsects. Dragonflies begin life in thewater. The young nymphs liveamong the wetland plants and eatmosquito larvae, tadpoles, andsmall fish. Adult dragonflies feed oninsects, including mosquitoes,butterflies and other dragonflies.Enjoy watching these fantastic flyers!
BEFORE - 2004 AFTER - 2013
By The Numbers:38 miles of dirt roads removed12 miles of canals removed3.5 miles of perimeter berms and ditches removedWater level raised 1.6 feet to historic hydrological conditions
Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd.
Hungryland Slough
Natural A
rea
Hun
gryl
and
Slou
gh N
atur
al A
rea
Pho
to A
lbum
Rep
tile
sM
amm
als
Inse
cts/
Ara
chni
dsP
lant
s
Welcom
e to one of Palm Beach C
ounty’sW
elcome to one of Palm
Beach County’s
Welcom
e to one of Palm Beach C
ounty’sW
elcome to one of Palm
Beach County’s
Welcom
e to one of Palm Beach C
ounty’snatural treasures! T
he Hungryland Slo
ughnatural treasures! T
he Hungryland Slo
ughnatural treasures! T
he Hungryland Slo
ughnatural treasures! T
he Hungryland Slo
ughnatural treasures! T
he Hungryland Slo
ughN
atural Area pro
tects environm
entallyN
atural Area pro
tects environm
entallyN
atural Area pro
tects environm
entallyN
atural Area pro
tects environm
entallyN
atural Area pro
tects environm
entallysensitive pine fo
rest and wetland habitat.
sensitive pine forest and w
etland habitat.sensitive pine fo
rest and wetland habitat.
sensitive pine forest and w
etland habitat.sensitive pine fo
rest and wetland habitat.
The natural area also
provides recreatio
nalT
he natural area also pro
vides recreational
The natural area also
provides recreatio
nalT
he natural area also pro
vides recreational
The natural area also
provides recreatio
nalo
pportunities fo
r residents and visitors.
oppo
rtunities for residents and visito
rs.o
pportunities fo
r residents and visitors.
oppo
rtunities for residents and visito
rs.o
pportunities fo
r residents and visitors.
The H
ungryland Slough w
as identified on early
The H
ungryland Slough w
as identified on early
The H
ungryland Slough w
as identified on early
The H
ungryland Slough w
as identified on early
The H
ungryland Slough w
as identified on early
maps as the “W
est Prong o
f the Loxahatchee
maps as the “W
est Prong o
f the Loxahatchee
maps as the “W
est Prong o
f the Loxahatchee
maps as the “W
est Prong o
f the Loxahatchee
maps as the “W
est Prong o
f the Loxahatchee
Marsh.” It flo
wed east to
the Loxahatchee
Marsh.” It flo
wed east to
the Loxahatchee
Marsh.” It flo
wed east to
the Loxahatchee
Marsh.” It flo
wed east to
the Loxahatchee
Marsh.” It flo
wed east to
the Loxahatchee
Slough and w
est to the Everglades. T
heSlo
ugh and west to
the Everglades. The
Slough and w
est to the Everglades. T
heSlo
ugh and west to
the Everglades. The
Slough and w
est to the Everglades. T
henatural area has a lo
ng history o
f human use.
natural area has a long histo
ry of hum
an use.natural area has a lo
ng history o
f human use.
natural area has a long histo
ry of hum
an use.natural area has a lo
ng history o
f human use.
A N
ative Am
erican midden (trash pile)
A N
ative Am
erican midden (trash pile)
A N
ative Am
erican midden (trash pile)
A N
ative Am
erican midden (trash pile)
A N
ative Am
erican midden (trash pile)
discovered in the so
uthwest sectio
n of the
discovered in the so
uthwest sectio
n of the
discovered in the so
uthwest sectio
n of the
discovered in the so
uthwest sectio
n of the
discovered in the so
uthwest sectio
n of the
site was utilized as a hunting cam
p and restsite w
as utilized as a hunting camp and rest
site was utilized as a hunting cam
p and restsite w
as utilized as a hunting camp and rest
site was utilized as a hunting cam
p and reststo
p for travelers. D
uring the pioneer era, the
stop fo
r travelers. During the pio
neer era, thesto
p for travelers. D
uring the pioneer era, the
stop fo
r travelers. During the pio
neer era, thesto
p for travelers. D
uring the pioneer era, the
natural area was used fo
r hunting and grazingnatural area w
as used for hunting and grazing
natural area was used fo
r hunting and grazingnatural area w
as used for hunting and grazing
natural area was used fo
r hunting and grazingo
f open-range cattle. Slash pines w
ere cuto
f open-range cattle. Slash pines w
ere cuto
f open-range cattle. Slash pines w
ere cuto
f open-range cattle. Slash pines w
ere cuto
f open-range cattle. Slash pines w
ere cutdo
wn in the 1920s during the So
uth Florida
dow
n in the 1920s during the South Flo
ridado
wn in the 1920s during the So
uth Florida
dow
n in the 1920s during the South Flo
ridado
wn in the 1920s during the So
uth Florida
housing bo
om
. Palm Beach C
ounty o
btainedho
using boo
m. Palm
Beach Co
unty obtained
housing bo
om
. Palm Beach C
ounty o
btainedho
using boo
m. Palm
Beach Co
unty obtained
housing bo
om
. Palm Beach C
ounty o
btainedthe pro
perty in the mid-1990s.
the property in the m
id-1990s.the pro
perty in the mid-1990s.
the property in the m
id-1990s.the pro
perty in the mid-1990s.
This 3,007-acre natural area is part o
f aT
his 3,007-acre natural area is part of a
This 3,007-acre natural area is part o
f aT
his 3,007-acre natural area is part of a
This 3,007-acre natural area is part o
f asystem
of natural co
nservation areas that are
system o
f natural conservatio
n areas that aresystem
of natural co
nservation areas that are
system o
f natural conservatio
n areas that aresystem
of natural co
nservation areas that are
protected to
maintain the diversity o
fpro
tected to m
aintain the diversity of
protected to
maintain the diversity o
fpro
tected to m
aintain the diversity of
protected to
maintain the diversity o
fbio
logical co
mm
unities and species in Palmbio
logical co
mm
unities and species in Palmbio
logical co
mm
unities and species in Palmbio
logical co
mm
unities and species in Palmbio
logical co
mm
unities and species in PalmBeach C
ounty. T
he natural areas are open to
Beach Co
unty. The natural areas are o
pen toBeach C
ounty. T
he natural areas are open to
Beach Co
unty. The natural areas are o
pen toBeach C
ounty. T
he natural areas are open to
the public for educatio
nal use and passivethe public fo
r educational use and passive
the public for educatio
nal use and passivethe public fo
r educational use and passive
the public for educatio
nal use and passiverecreatio
nal activities such as hiking, naturerecreatio
nal activities such as hiking, naturerecreatio
nal activities such as hiking, naturerecreatio
nal activities such as hiking, naturerecreatio
nal activities such as hiking, naturepho
tography, and bird w
atching.pho
tography, and bird w
atching.pho
tography, and bird w
atching.pho
tography, and bird w
atching.pho
tography, and bird w
atching.
Preserving Palm Beach County’s Good Nature
The Hungryland Slough
The Hungryland Slough
The Hungryland Slough
The Hungryland Slough
The Hungryland Slough
Na
Na
Na
Na
Natural tural tural tural tural ArAr ArArArea is hom
e toea is hom
e toea is hom
e toea is hom
e toea is hom
e tohundreds of plant andhundreds of plant andhundreds of plant andhundreds of plant andhundreds of plant andanim
al species. One of the
animal species. O
ne of theanim
al species. One of the
animal species. O
ne of theanim
al species. One of the
many birds found am
ongm
any birds found among
many birds found am
ongm
any birds found among
many birds found am
ongthe slash pines is the red-the slash pines is the red-the slash pines is the red-the slash pines is the red-the slash pines is the red-bellied wbellied wbellied wbellied wbellied w
oodpeckoodpeckoodpeckoodpeckoodpeckerer ererer.. ...
Although this bird has aAlthough this bird has aAlthough this bird has aAlthough this bird has aAlthough this bird has asm
all patch of redsm
all patch of redsm
all patch of redsm
all patch of redsm
all patch of redfeafeafeafeafeathers on its belly
thers on its bellythers on its bellythers on its bellythers on its belly,, ,,, its
its its its its
key distinguishing featureskey distinguishing featureskey distinguishing featureskey distinguishing featureskey distinguishing featuresare its red forehead andare its red forehead andare its red forehead andare its red forehead andare its red forehead andnape of neck and black-nape of neck and black-nape of neck and black-nape of neck and black-nape of neck and black-and-w
hite patterned back.and-w
hite patterned back.and-w
hite patterned back.and-w
hite patterned back.and-w
hite patterned back.As you w
alk the hikingAs you w
alk the hikingAs you w
alk the hikingAs you w
alk the hikingAs you w
alk the hikingtrail listen for this birtrail listen for this birtrail listen for this birtrail listen for this birtrail listen for this bird’d’ d’d’d’ss sssdistinct call: rollingdistinct call: rollingdistinct call: rollingdistinct call: rollingdistinct call: rollingchuurrchuurrchuurrchuurrchuurr;; ;;; doub
doub doub doub double
le le le le chiv chiv
chiv chivchiv chivchiv chivchiv chiv.. ...
Racer
Whit
e-tailed Deer
Green A
nole
Virgin
ia Op
ossum
Cooper’s H
awk
North
Ameri
can R
iver O
tter
Garte
r Snake
Pileated
Woo
dpeck
er
Whit
e Peacock Butt
erfly
Tri-co
lored Hero
n
Cicada
Limpkin
Orchard
Orbwe
aver
Ameri
can Al
ligato
r
Pipew
ort
Ameri
can B
eauty
berry
Cardi
nal A
ir Pla
nt
Large
-flowe
red Ro
segentia
n
Lance-l
eaved A
rrowr
oot
Pickerel
weed
Slash Pine
Protecting Visitors and Natural Resources
To ensure an enjoyable experience for all visitors andprotect the natural resources, the follow
ing are prohibited:Pets
Smoking
Hunting
Feeding wildlife
Alcoholic beverages
Discharging firearm
s C
ollecting plants or animals
Motor vehciles and bicycles
(Bicycles are allowed on C
-18 Canal right-of-w
ay)The natural area is open from
sunrise to sunset,seven days a w
eek, including holidays.
In an emergency, call 911. For non-em
ergency issues contactthe Palm
Beach County Sheriff’s O
ffice at 561-616-BIRD.
Bir
ds
Bobcat
Palm B
each Co
untyPalm
Beach C
ounty
Palm B
each Co
untyPalm
Beach C
ounty
Palm B
each Co
untyB
oard o
f Co
unty Co
mm
issioners
Bo
ard of C
ounty C
om
missio
nersB
oard o
f Co
unty Co
mm
issioners
Bo
ard of C
ounty C
om
missio
nersB
oard o
f Co
unty Co
mm
issioners
In accordance with the provisions of A
DA
,this brochure m
ay be requested in an alternate format.
Palm B
each Co
unty Departm
ent of
Palm B
each Co
unty Departm
ent of
Palm B
each Co
unty Departm
ent of
Palm B
each Co
unty Departm
ent of
Palm B
each Co
unty Departm
ent of
Environm
ental Reso
urces Managem
entEnviro
nmental R
esources M
anagement
Environm
ental Reso
urces Managem
entEnviro
nmental R
esources M
anagement
Environm
ental Reso
urces Managem
ent2300 N
. Jog Road - Fourth FloorW
est Palm Beach, FL 33411-2743
Phone: 561-233-2400w
ww
.pbcgov.com/erm
ww
w.facebook.com
/pbcermPrinted June 2015
Hallowe
en Pe
nnan
t
This natural area is located within
This natural area is located within
This natural area is located within
This natural area is located within
This natural area is located within
the Northeast Everglades N
aturalthe N
ortheast Everglades Natural
the Northeast Everglades N
aturalthe N
ortheast Everglades Natural
the Northeast Everglades N
aturalArea (N
ENA). N
ENA stretches from
Area (NEN
A). NEN
A stretches fromArea (N
ENA). N
ENA stretches from
Area (NEN
A). NEN
A stretches fromArea (N
ENA). N
ENA stretches from
Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach
Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach
Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach
Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach
Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach
County northward to Bridge Road
County northward to Bridge Road
County northward to Bridge Road
County northward to Bridge Road
County northward to Bridge Road
in Martin County and from
Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic
in Martin County and from
Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic
in Martin County and from
Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic
in Martin County and from
Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic
in Martin County and from
Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic
Ocean. N
ENA contains approxim
ately 165,000 acres ofOcean. N
ENA contains approxim
ately 165,000 acres ofOcean. N
ENA contains approxim
ately 165,000 acres ofOcean. N
ENA contains approxim
ately 165,000 acres ofOcean. N
ENA contains approxim
ately 165,000 acres ofconservation lands that provide a w
ide range of nature-conservation lands that provide a w
ide range of nature-conservation lands that provide a w
ide range of nature-conservation lands that provide a w
ide range of nature-conservation lands that provide a w
ide range of nature-based outdoor recreational opportunities to residents andbased outdoor recreational opportunities to residents andbased outdoor recreational opportunities to residents andbased outdoor recreational opportunities to residents andbased outdoor recreational opportunities to residents andvisitors. For m
ore information about N
ENAs, visit
visitors. For more inform
ation about NEN
As, visitvisitors. For m
ore information about N
ENAs, visit
visitors. For more inform
ation about NEN
As, visitvisitors. For m
ore information about N
ENAs, visit
ww
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ww
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w.pbcgo.pbcgo.pbcgo.pbcgo.pbcgovv vvv.com
/erm/nena.
.com/erm
/nena..com
/erm/nena.
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/nena..com
/erm/nena.
A Florida C
omm
unities TrustP
reservation 2000 Project
Connect w
ith the Palm
Beach C
ountyD
epartment of E
nvironmental
Resources M
anagement and dow
nloadour natural areas m
obile map.
There are no toilets or drinking water at this site.