Do you know about it? The 8.7 acre property along Florida Bay at MM81.2 was acquired by Islamorada 20 years ago with grant funds from Florida Communities Trust.  It was once the home of former councilman and restaurateur, Henry Rosenthal.

The village built a $2 million waterfront pavilion, with views of Little Basin and Florida Bay, near where the Rosenthal home once stood.

There are nature trails, where you can walk through a dense tropical hammock, observe native species, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The floating kayak launch provides access through a short mangrove tunnel to Little Basin, not far from the Lignumvitae Area State Park.

It is often where you’ll find Jodie of Florida Bay Forever

The Russell Cottage, nearly 90 years old, is the heart of the property. And is home to the Village’s Environmental Resource Center and an educational and retail space operated primarily by Florida Bay Forever.

Jodie Cerra is the Executive Director of Florida Bay Forever, an Islamorada-based nonprofit founded in 2016 to protect Florida Bay through community engagement, environmental education, and support for Everglades restoration.

Take a nature walk through the hammock with Jodie! Attend an educational event or a bird walk.