Overview: At a mere 21.1 acres, Woodmont Natural Area ain't huge, but it happens to be the largest remaining slice of undeveloped piece land in Tamarac. It is valuable land in and of itself, but more so because of the dearth of preserves in that part of Broward County. There is nothing else nearby.
Woodmont is tranquil and heavily shaded. It is set in a residential neighborhood, blocks away from the nearest major road. It borders a hospital on the east, separated by a canal. It is mostly pine flatwoods with a small basin swamp filled with pond cypress and red maples. A 0.4-mile trail loops through the preserve.
It isn't necessarily a "destination," in and of itself, rather the kind of place where locals go for a morning or evening stroll. But there is a good diversity of life here. Delray Beach-based Institute for Regional Conservation (link below) has inventoried 147 plant species at Woodmont. We found a good number of butterflies fluttering about Woodmont when we've visited. Broward County land managers list great horned owls and pileated woodpeckers as residents here. Gray fox and other mammals might be found, though they tend to be more active at night.
History: The site was to be developed into housing, but Broward County stepped in and bought it in 1992 using proceeds from the 1989 Environmentally Sensitive Lands Bond Issue and with help from the Trust for Public Land. Woodmont Natural Area opened on August 27, 1999. It has been designated as an Urban Wilderness Area.
What You'll See: We've found natural areas in northern Broward to be among the best in the region if you're looking for butterflies. Woodmont Natural Area is no exception. During our first few minutes on the site, we spotted julia, gulf fritillary, zebra longwing, ruddy daggerwing, giant swallowtail and literally dozens of cassius blues nectaring and doing what butterflies do.
Slash pines, live oaks, cabbage trees, red maples and pond cypress provide a heavy canope, with wild lime, wild coffee and beautyberry fill the understory. Bracken fern is plentiful in spots. There are open fields along the eastern and southern edges of the woods dominated by Spanish needles. Woodmont also has more than its share of invasives, especially air potato and rosary pea. The canal attracts wading birds and ducks; we did spot an osprey flying off with a fish in its claws as we approached Woodmont.
Amenities: Parking is ample; the trail is less than a half-mile long, accessible, part concrete walkway, part boardwalk and marked with interpretive signs. There are also seating areas along the way. There is no drinking water and no restrooms.
Nearby: The closest preserve to Woodmont Natural Area is the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Natural Area west of the Sawgrass Expressway.
Links: The Institute for Regional Conservation's inventory of plants for Woodmont Natural Area is here.
Of Note: Admission is free. Woodmont Natural Area is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. Broward County owns and manages the preserve.
Cover Photo: A bluejay perching in a shash pine. Woodmont Natural Area's pine flatwoods provide a perfect place for birds to forage and shelter.
Woodmont is tranquil and heavily shaded. It is set in a residential neighborhood, blocks away from the nearest major road. It borders a hospital on the east, separated by a canal. It is mostly pine flatwoods with a small basin swamp filled with pond cypress and red maples. A 0.4-mile trail loops through the preserve.
It isn't necessarily a "destination," in and of itself, rather the kind of place where locals go for a morning or evening stroll. But there is a good diversity of life here. Delray Beach-based Institute for Regional Conservation (link below) has inventoried 147 plant species at Woodmont. We found a good number of butterflies fluttering about Woodmont when we've visited. Broward County land managers list great horned owls and pileated woodpeckers as residents here. Gray fox and other mammals might be found, though they tend to be more active at night.
History: The site was to be developed into housing, but Broward County stepped in and bought it in 1992 using proceeds from the 1989 Environmentally Sensitive Lands Bond Issue and with help from the Trust for Public Land. Woodmont Natural Area opened on August 27, 1999. It has been designated as an Urban Wilderness Area.
What You'll See: We've found natural areas in northern Broward to be among the best in the region if you're looking for butterflies. Woodmont Natural Area is no exception. During our first few minutes on the site, we spotted julia, gulf fritillary, zebra longwing, ruddy daggerwing, giant swallowtail and literally dozens of cassius blues nectaring and doing what butterflies do.
Slash pines, live oaks, cabbage trees, red maples and pond cypress provide a heavy canope, with wild lime, wild coffee and beautyberry fill the understory. Bracken fern is plentiful in spots. There are open fields along the eastern and southern edges of the woods dominated by Spanish needles. Woodmont also has more than its share of invasives, especially air potato and rosary pea. The canal attracts wading birds and ducks; we did spot an osprey flying off with a fish in its claws as we approached Woodmont.
Amenities: Parking is ample; the trail is less than a half-mile long, accessible, part concrete walkway, part boardwalk and marked with interpretive signs. There are also seating areas along the way. There is no drinking water and no restrooms.
Nearby: The closest preserve to Woodmont Natural Area is the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Natural Area west of the Sawgrass Expressway.
Links: The Institute for Regional Conservation's inventory of plants for Woodmont Natural Area is here.
Of Note: Admission is free. Woodmont Natural Area is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. Broward County owns and manages the preserve.
Cover Photo: A bluejay perching in a shash pine. Woodmont Natural Area's pine flatwoods provide a perfect place for birds to forage and shelter.
