In Loving Memory of Nina B. Griswold (1930 - 2025)
It is with profound gratitude and love that we remember Nina Griswold, a true champion of conservation and a steadfast supporter of the Hobe Sound Nature Center. Nina lived a long and meaningful life dedicated to protecting the natural world, leaving behind a legacy that will never
be forgotten.
For decades, Nina poured her heart into preserving the beauty and wonder of our local habitats. Whether through her tireless work as a board member and leader at the Nature Center, generous support of programs designed to inspire and empower others to conserve nature, or the simple joy of sharing nature with friends and family, Nina made an indelible impact on every person she crossed paths with. Her passion for wildlife, natural lands, and the ocean was contagious, and her wisdom, wit, and kindness made her a valued mentor to many.
Nina believed that nature was not just something to be admired but something to be protected and nurtured. Her unwavering dedication helped shape the Hobe Sound Nature Center into what it is today—a sanctuary where people of all ages can connect with the natural world. Thanks to her efforts, countless individuals have experienced the wonder of nature and developed their own
passion for conservation.
As we mourn this loss, we also celebrate a life well lived—one that embodied the very essence of stewardship and love for the earth. While Nina may no longer walk these trails, her spirit will forever be present in the whispering trees, the songs of the birds, and the quiet rustle of leaves in
the wind.
In honor of Nina’s enduring legacy, we will continue the work she so passionately championed. May we all find inspiration in her dedication and carry forward her mission to protect and cherish the natural world.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The HSNC Team
Hobe Sound Nature Center Wraps Up a Successful Spring Season
The Hobe Sound Nature Center’s 2025 spring programs, Nature's Narratives and Nature’s Nomads, has come to a close after another successful season of engaging and educational experiences. These engaging programs brought the community closer to nature through storytelling, guided explorations, and interactive learning about Florida’s diverse ecosystems.
New Pollinator Garden Takes Flight at Hobe Sound Nature Center
A new butterfly garden is flourishing at the Hobe Sound Nature Center thanks to the dedication of volunteers Cindy and Karlheinz Hass. The couple, who have lived in the area for 18 years, designed and planted the garden with a focus on native Florida plants, creating a habitat where visitors can witness the full life cycle of butterflies.
Conservation Retail: Conservation rules Roost
By Kristen Hampshire, Seaside Retailer
At Hobe Sound Nature center, the Owl’s Roost gift shop sources native animal themed products and aims to engage, much like the programs guests experience.
Wild Trouble: Florida’s Struggle with Invasive Species
Growing up in South Florida, most reptile encounters were limited to the occasional sighting of a green anole or hearing the funky calls of the tokay gecko in the wee hours of the night. These days, every landscape is crawling with a vibrant diversity of odd, husky-looking lizards that defy the imagination.
The Gopher Tortoise is a Good Neighbor
Take a walk along the scrub trails at the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, and you’re sure to spot one of nature’s most ancient creatures – the state-threatened gopher tortoise. You may be wondering how a reptile was named after a mammal that, well, resembles a furry potato.
Seahorse Serenade: The Dance of Underwater Love
Picture a creature so mythical, it seems to have emerged from an underwater fairy tale, drifting elegantly through the ocean, and you’ve just conjured up a seahorse. These tiny marine wonders have captured the human imagination for centuries, symbolizing good luck, persistence, and peace.
A Mother Whale’s Pilgrimage to the Treasure Coast
If you live in Hobe Sound or were visiting our beautiful town in January of this year, you may remember the media buzz surrounding a North Atlantic right whale and her calf lolling about in the warm tropical waters of the Treasure Coast. There’s nothing quite like being at the beach and spotting a 48-foot, 50-ton behemoth moving slowly through crystal blue waters, and this mama did not disappoint!
Save the Floaty Potatoes
Florida manatees are endearingly called “floaty potatoes” due to their plump physique and generally unhurried nature. In fact, there are many memes honoring this gentle giant’s playful moniker, typically encouraging humans to slow down, both literally and metaphorically. These inquisitive, herbivorous mammals have been around for millions of years, with all remaining species considered vulnerable to extinction.