By Jodi Mailander Farrell<\/p>\n
With 23 miles of pedestrian-friendly beachfronts, an emerging urban farming movement and public transportation via water taxi, Fort Lauderdale<\/a> has gone green<\/a> while retaining its unique sunny self.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ECO-FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Beaches<\/p>\n Beaches are the biggest natural asset. The Clean Beaches Council continuously recognizes\u00a0Fort Lauderdale<\/a>,\u00a0Lauderdale-by-the-Sea<\/a>,\u00a0Hollywood<\/a>,\u00a0Dania Beach<\/a>,\u00a0Deerfield Beach<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Pompano Beach<\/a>\u00a0as \u201cBlue Wave Beaches,\u201d certified as clean, healthy and environmentally well managed.<\/p>\n Parks<\/p>\n If you want to get an idea of what the city looked like before people settled here then hike the Coastal Hammock Trail inside the 180-acre Hugh Taylor Birch State Park<\/a>, a rare maritime tropical hardwood hammock next to the beach in Fort Lauderdale that was donated by nature-loving Chicago lawyer Hugh Taylor Birch in the 1940s. Interpretive signs along the trail provide information about the habitat and native flora. At Park & Ocean<\/a>, a beachside bar and eatery at the park\u2019s entrance at A1A, guided paddle tours are held daily at 10 a.m. of Coastal Dune Lake, an endangered ecosystem crucial to the environmental health of the park\u2019s barrier island system. There also are full moon and sunset kayak tours and bike rentals.<\/p>\n Bonnet House<\/p>\n Nearby, Bonnet House<\/a> is a historic, 35-acre tropical estate built by Birch\u2019s daughter and her artist husband amid mangrove wetlands and a maritime forest. Surrounded by a colorful hibiscus garden, an orchid house and wild spider monkeys, the captivating 1920s home is on the National Register of Historic Places and gives public ecology, history and design tours Tuesday through Sunday. The estate is a haven for migratory and year-round birds indigenous to Florida coastal areas. Its boat canal is an occasional hangout for visiting manatees.<\/p>\n Flamingo Gardens<\/p>\n Flamingo Gardens<\/a> is a 60-acre, nonprofit botanical garden and Everglades wildlife sanctuary in the neighboring town of Davie that is home to thousands of rare native plants, some of Florida\u2019s largest and oldest trees, and over 90 species of native animals, including alligators, eagles, otters, panthers, bobcats, a black bear and flamingos. There are educational shows, a tram ride and homemade smoothies.<\/p>\n Lauderdale-by-the-Sea<\/p>\n A 20-minute drive north of Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea<\/a> is a low-key beach village with old-fashioned charm. It also is one of the only locations in Florida where the three-tier natural coral reef system is close enough for visitors to swim out for snorkeling or diving. The town provides underwater maps and exhibits of the wreck of the SS Copenhagen, a British cargo steamer that struck a reef 25 feet off the area\u2019s shores in 1900. The wreck \u2013 now a home for spiny lobsters, tropical fish and other marine life \u2013 is one of 11 Florida underwater archaeological preserves. Look for signs and displays about it on the beach near Sea Watch Restaurant<\/a> and Washingtonia Park<\/a> or at the Jarvis Hall community center, 4505 N. Ocean Drive.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Butterfly World<\/p>\n Ten miles north of Fort Lauderdale in Coconut Creek is the world\u2019s largest butterfly preserve. Butterfly World<\/a> is a kid-friendly tropical garden retreat, with waterfalls, 20,000 butterflies in large \u201copen air\u201d aviaries, a research lab and guided tours.<\/p>\n Anne Kolb Nature Center<\/p>\n Another family-friendly retreat, the Anne Kolb Nature Center<\/a> at Hollywood\u2019s West Lake Park \u2013 one of the largest urban parks in Florida \u2013 includes an exhibit hall with simulated mangroves, a 3,500-gallon aquarium and a hands-on EcoRoom. Rich in native vegetation and wildlife, the park has a 68-foot observation tower, nature trails and an Intracoastal fishing pier.<\/p>\n Hollywood Beach Broadwalk<\/p>\n The\u00a0Hollywood Oceanfront Broadwalk<\/a>\u00a0is a fun place to rent bikes and peddle beachside. The brick promenade \u2013 named one of America\u2019s Best Beach Boardwalks by Travel + Leisure magazine \u2013 stretches nearly 2\u00bd miles, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and shops, outdoor cafes, hotels and a farmer\u2019s market on the other.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Big Cypress Seminoles<\/p>\n Take a day trip to the\u00a0Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation<\/a>, an hour-long drive west of Fort Lauderdale, to learn about the land and culture of the Seminole Indians on their 2,200-acre preserve. Stay at the RV resort, visit the Smithsonian-affiliated <\/a>Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki<\/a> museum and have a bite at the Swamp Water Caf\u00e9<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0[KH2]<\/a>They stopped doing the swamp safari and chickee hut Reminder: Chickee hut photo and caption should not appear in updated article.<\/p>\n The Everglades<\/p>\n A 1\u00bd-hour drive from Fort Lauderdale, the Shark Valley Visitor Center<\/a> walking and bike trail in Everglades National Park<\/a> is an amazing, 150-mile loop through alligators, wading birds and Florida\u2019s famed River of Grass, the largest subtropical wetland in North America. It\u2019s worth spending the day to rent a bike at the visitor center or join the two-hour tram tour by a park-trained naturalist.<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Biking<\/p>\n Fort Lauderdale\u2019s palm tree-lined, brick beachfront promenade is prime walking, biking and skating territory. The city\u2019s AvMed Rides BCycle<\/a> bike sharing program makes it easy, with eight stations along the beach and day guest passes that can be purchased by credit card at the bike docks or on a smart phone app<\/a>. Markham Park<\/a> has mountain bike trails for thrill riders. A complete biking guide to Broward County parks is here<\/a>. There\u2019s also a free online interactive bicycle route<\/a> planning tool with turn-by-turn directions and guides to bike trails based on how strenuous you want your ride.<\/p>\n The Reef<\/p>\n Greater Fort Lauderdale is the only place in the continental United States where you can snorkel and dive on a living coral reef straight off the beach without having to charter a boat. There are over 70 natural and artificial reefs within reach. The reefs range from depths of 10 to 100 feet and are found 100 yards to a mile off shore. The system provides habitat for over 6,000 marine species, including fish, eels, rays, sponges, corals and dolphins. Visit Lauderdale<\/a>\u00a0provides an online guide\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Waterways, Canals<\/p>\n Nicknamed the \u201cVenice of America,\u201d Fort Lauderdale and its many waterways and canals are prime kayak and standup paddleboard territory. A popular launch site is\u00a0Colohatchee Park<\/a>\u00a0in Wilton Manors.\u00a0 Eco-tours and equipment are available at such outfitters as\u00a0Sunrise Paddleboards<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Blue Moon Outdoor Adventures<\/a>.\u00a0West Lake Park<\/a>\u00a0in Hollywood and\u00a0Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park<\/a>\u00a0in Dania Beach have their own marinas, where paddleboards, canoes and kayaks can be rented.<\/p>\n EcoTour<\/p>\n Another way to appreciate Fort Lauderdale\u2019s blue backyard is on the\u00a0Blue Discovery EcoTour<\/a>, a 2\u00bd-hour guided water shuttle tour of the city\u2019s New River and Intracoastal Waterway with a local marine biologist and photographer. Launching from the\u00a0Riverwalk<\/a>\u00a0at Riverfront Plaza, the tour cruises by the Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Arts & Sciences, the Port Everglades seaport and mangrove forests that make up the edges of Dr. Von D. MiZell-Eula Johnson State Park<\/a> in Dania Beach.<\/p>\n Buehler Planetarium<\/p>\n Stop by Broward College\u2019s Buehler Planetarium<\/a> on Wednesday nights for guided star-watching through powerful telescopes at the campus\u2019s 40-foot dome facility.<\/p>\n Sea Turtle Walks<\/p>\n Nearly 90% of sea turtle nesting in the United States occurs in Florida and thousands of those nests are laid every year in Broward County, one of the most important nesting areas for loggerheads. Fort Lauderdale\u2019s Museum of Discovery and Science<\/a> hosts Summer Sea Turtle Walks in June and July for ages 9 and up.<\/p>\n Birding<\/p>\n South Florida also is a hot spot for bird watchers. The South Florida Audubon Society<\/a> hosts field trips and provides a guide for the best sighting locations and trails, including Deerfield Island Park<\/a> in Deerfield Beach and Tree Tops Park<\/a> in Davie. The sites are part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail<\/a>, a network of 510 premier wildlife viewing spots across the state.<\/p>\n Fishing<\/p>\n Fishing charters are plentiful in Fort Lauderdale. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provides a searchable directory<\/a> of outfitters and fishing guides who follow environmentally ethical best practices.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n FOOD AND DINING<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Vegan Fine Foods<\/p>\n Fort Lauderdale\u2019s first all-vegan food market and caf\u00e9 opened downtown in 2018. Created by Florida Atlantic University professor Steven Smith, a former Procter & Gamble product engineer,\u00a0Vegan Fine Foods<\/a>\u00a0is an exclusively plant-based gourmet grocery store. It also features a dine-in\/takeout caf\u00e9 that serves acai bowls, wraps, juices, desserts and more. Smith, a committed vegan, wanted to create a one-stop shop for vegans that also appeals to vegetarians and non-vegans.<\/p>\n Green Bar & Kitchen<\/p>\n The vegan-friendly Green Bar & Kitchen<\/a> in Fort Lauderdale is a minimalist, modern caf\u00e9 that features organic, plant-based food \u2013 avocado toast, veggie bowls, Impossible Burgers and more \u2013 as well as a Home Grown Music Series with live music every Friday and Saturday evening.<\/p>\n Marando Farms & Ranch<\/p>\n Urban farming has taken off in the Fort Lauderdale area and some of the enterprising owners have established their own restaurants or dining series.\u00a0Marando Farms & Ranch<\/a>\u00a0is a 10-acre family-owned organic vegetable farm three miles west of Fort Lauderdale in Davie that has its own farm-to-fork restaurant, Twisted Tomato Caf\u00e9, that serves bison and beef burgers, bowls, flatbreads and salads.\u00a0Harpke Family Farm<\/a>, which specializes in live microgreens and gem lettuce production, hosts occasional Farm Table Dinners under a chickee hut at its Dania Beach location.<\/p>\n Community Horticulture<\/p>\n A project of the\u00a0Dania\u00a0Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, PATCH<\/a> (People\u2019s Access to Community Horticulture) is a 1.76-acre farm on what used to be a blighted spot used as an unofficial dump. More than 4,000 grow bags are used to plant produce, with plots available for locals and restaurants. The farm hosts a farmers market every Saturday featuring locally-grown produce, with workshops on health, composting, beekeeping and other topics every second Saturday.<\/p>\n Yellow Green Farmers Market<\/p>\n The mother of all farmers markets in South Florida is the Yellow Green Farmers Market<\/a> in Hollywood, where 300 booths occupy a 100,000-square-foot warehouse open Saturday and Sunday. Fruit and vegetables, micro greens, organic chicken, eggs, Amish butter, green coffee, meatless deli products and more are sold at the space, accessible by Tri-Rail or bus.<\/p>\n Regina\u2019s Farm<\/p>\n Regina\u2019s Farm<\/a>\u00a0in Fort Lauderdale is a nonprofit, Brazilian-themed\u00a0fazendinha\u00a0(little farm) that offers Saturday-only, pop-up outdoor dining featuring Brazilian cheese-stuffed bread, soup, salads, roast chicken, fish stew and\u00a0feij\u00e3o tropeiro\u00a0(beans with sausage and collard greens).<\/p>\n Organic Seafood<\/p>\n Contrary to its name, Ireland Steakhouse<\/a> in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Weston also offers an impressive seafood menu. The restaurant, inside the Bonaventure Resort & Spa, pays strict adherence to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch guide and works closely with organic seafood farms in Florida and Texas.<\/p>\n More Dining Spots<\/p>\n Fresh First, South Florida\u2019s first 100% gluten-free eatery, makes everything from scratch, including lentil and quinoa burgers, raw nut chili tacos, veggie stack sandwiches and raw zucchini puttanesca.\u00a0Beehive Kitchen<\/a>\u00a0is a trendy, fast-casual restaurant with two locations in Broward County that sells salad- and grain-based bowls with your choice of toppings, ranging from spinach and wok-seared mushrooms to roasted Brussels sprouts and marinated tomatoes\u00a0<\/p>\n Farm-to-Table Guide<\/p>\n For more South Florida farm-to-table options, check out this Visit Florida guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ECO-FRIENDLY TRANSPORTATION<\/p>\n Charging Stations<\/p>\n If you\u2019re driving\u00a0an electric or hybrid vehicle, you can plot your course for charging stations on Plugshare<\/a>.<\/p>\n Taxis, Trolleys, Marinas<\/p>\n Fort Lauderdale\u2019s affordable, narrated\u00a0Water Taxi Service<\/a>\u00a0is a good way to hop on and off all day to visit sights like the Las Olas Boulevard shops, Birch State Park and the Galleria Mall. The\u00a0LauderGO! Water Trolle<\/a>\u00a0takes a zig-zag route across the New River, stopping at eight different points with parks and restaurants along the south and north banks. There are\u00a0three designated Clean Marinas<\/a>\u00a0in Fort Lauderdale that have sustainable practices and offer boat services.<\/p>\n Bikes, Scooters<\/p>\n On land, dockless bike and electric scooter sharing<\/a> can be found throughout the city. Want someone else to do the pedaling? Ocean View Rickshaw<\/a>\u00a0operates pedicab services anywhere in central Fort Lauderdale, including the beach and Las Olas Boulevard.<\/p>\n Buses<\/p>\n Broward County Transit<\/a> manages the fleet of traditional buses, which have bike racks and wheelchair access, and cover more than 30 routes throughout the area. Both Lyft and Uber also operate throughout Broward County.<\/p>\n By Rail<\/p>\n To travel throughout South Florida,\u00a0Tri-Rail<\/a>\u00a0is a commuter rail line that links Fort Lauderdale to Miami and West Palm Beach.\u00a0Brightline<\/a>\u00a0is a new, high-speed train that also provides service between West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and Orlando.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ECO-FRIENDLY LODGING<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Hilton<\/p>\n With wind turbines installed on the roof to generate enough power to light the hotel year-round, the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort<\/a> was the first hotel in the city to be awarded a Florida Green Lodging designation from the state. It also has a food composter that turns food waste into nutrient-rich water.<\/p>\n B Ocean Resort<\/p>\n The beds at B Ocean Resort<\/a> are eco-friendly with natural materials that are easily recycled. The resort also offers complimentary bicycles and a superb, on-site restaurant, Naked Crab, that serves locally-sourced seafood and produce. The renovated hotel is home to the landmark, nautical-themed Wreck Bar, where mermaids perform through a porthole.<\/p>\n Margaritaville<\/p>\n Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, the 349-room Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort<\/a> in nearby Hollywood offers free bike rentals and has a high three-palm rating in the\u00a0Florida Green Lodging program<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Chickees<\/p>\n Go off the grid and stay overnight in a traditional thatched-roof chickee<\/a> in the rustic camping village at Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in Clewiston, a 1\u00bd-mile drive from Fort Lauderdale. The huts sleep up to 14 people and have no electricity or running water. Overnight packages can include Swamp Buggy eco-tours, a snake and alligator show, campfire storytelling and an airboat ride.<\/p>\n Park Camping<\/p>\n In Broward County, five county parks<\/a>\u00a0offer campgrounds, including rent-a-tent and teepee options at\u00a0Quiet Waters Park<\/a>\u00a0in Deerfield Beach.<\/p>\n Green Lodging Guide<\/p>\n Find a complete list of Florida Green Lodging properties on the program\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u200bVOLUNTOURISM<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Secret Woods<\/p>\n During monthly EcoAction Days at the Secret Woods Nature Center<\/a>, volunteers can help clean up trash, plant native plants and remove exotic, invasive plants.<\/p>\n Coastal Cleanup<\/p>\n Broward County participates in the annual International Coastal Cleanup<\/a> sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy every year typically in September. Register and find locations\u00a0here<\/a>. For other beach projects, check out\u00a0VolunteerCleanup.org<\/a>, an online platform that connects South Florida shoreline cleanups with volunteers.<\/p>\n Wildlife, People<\/p>\n At the South Florida Wildlife Center<\/a> in Fort Lauderdale, volunteers help with everything from caring for injured animals to landscaping. Feeding South Florida<\/a>, a food bank that provides meals for the hungry, always needs volunteers in its Pembroke Park warehouse to sort food and pack boxes. Volunteers can register in advance on the nonprofit\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n HandsOn Broward<\/p>\n