An opossum, a Florida king snake, a barn owl and 65 Upward Bound students plus Museum staff – these were the attendees on a field trip to Flamingo Gardens. The Upward Bound program helps prepare first-generation college-bound students for college, specifically in fields related to science, technology, engineering and math. These students visited Flamingo Gardens to learn about South Florida’s native wildlife, plant life and ecosystems. The privilege of meeting these rare and exotic creatures first-hand, and the importance of taking care of our environment – and ALL its inhabitants, were the big takeaway messages for the day.