We are the Coral Springs Nature Center & Wildlife Hosptial; DBA Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital (SNC). We’re a volunteer-driven, charitable, non-profit organization, founded in 1995 by a dedicated group of volunteers committed to helping wildlife. SNC’s mission is ‘to educate the public about South Florida’s unique culture, environment and the many species it contains, to promote healthy living, outdoor activity and to provide excellent care for sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife.’ We want to foster awareness and appreciation of wildlife, particularly Urban wildlife found here in south Florida. Each year, people bring approximately 800 animals into our wildlife hospital, and we provide educational presentations to approximately 7,000 students. Volunteers donate roughly 14,000 hours of their time to help us meet our goals, annually.
Over the past 24 years, we have worked steadily toward our mission by not only treating ill, injured and orphaned animals, but also by educating the public about the natural world, being a responsible pet owner, and what to do when you find a wild animal.
We offer wildlife camps for children, and on-site and off-site programming. We are also an information resource for people who find injured or lost wild animals, or have any questions regarding wildlife. We try to educate people about their local natural environment as well as how to best handle a wild animal they believe is orphaned. People’s first inclination is to help, but that is not always what the animal needs.
It is through the dedication of our numerous volunteers, small staff, and the generosity of individual and corporate donors that we are able to provide many services to the community.
You are welcome to come and visit Tuesday to Friday from 9am – 5pm or on Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 3pm. You may wander the grounds at your leisure and see non-releasable animals that live with us year-round. We have a small admission fee: $5 for adults 18+, $3 for children 5 – 17, & children 4 & under, as well as members, are free to visit.
On Sunday’s we offer the presentation “Be Kind to Animals” as a free mini-presentation, with the purchase of regular admission prices. The presentation starts at 11am. Call us at (954)752-WILD for more information.
