The Shark Valley Visitor Center in the Everglades will be receiving a bit of a facelift with new solar panels through a $25,000 donation thanks to a grant and solar panels donated by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL). The solar power will power up the visitor center. The visitor center is a educational space that offers education displays, videos, brochures about solar energy, the Everglades, and animals in the Park. There is also a gift shop. It is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
FPL is working with the South Florida National Parks Trust and the Park to install the solar panels, which is a 12-kilowatt solar system. This solar system will provide the center with about 40 percent of the energy it needs to run.
According to the South Florida National Parks Trust’s Chairman Wayne Rassner. “The Shark Valley Visitor Center is an ideal location to showcase renewable energy projects, and FPL’s solar panels will help visitors better understand this connection through interpretive exhibits and displays.”
FPL is currently installing 1 million solar panels in Miami-Dade County.
In Shark Valley, visitors can walk, bike, or take a tram on a 15-mile loop trail. The tram tours are guided. You can rent bikes at the visitor center. There are snacks and drinks available, as well. People often spot alligators, turtles, fish, birds, and other animals in this area.
The Shark Valley Visitor center is located at 36000 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33194.
Explore the Everglades on An Airboat
Come on down and explore Shark Valley and its visitor center. You’ll learn a lot and get to see so much wildlife and plant life! When you’re done walking, biking or riding the tram, hop on an airboat tour to take exploring the Everglades to another level!
An airboat ride is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To book an airboat tour, call Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours at 800-368-0065 or click our Private Everglades Airboat Tours page.
