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

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elcome to one of Palm

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Welcom

e to one of Palm Beach C

ounty’sW

elcome to one of Palm

Beach County’s

Welcom

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ounty’snatural treasures! T

he Hungryland Slo

ughnatural treasures! T

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ughnatural treasures! T

he Hungryland Slo

ughnatural treasures! T

he Hungryland Slo

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he Hungryland Slo

ughN

atural Area pro

tects environm

entallyN

atural Area pro

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atural Area pro

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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

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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

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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

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al species. One of the

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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

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/nena..com

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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.