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The National Wildlife Refuges of the Florida Keys are unmatched anywhere in the world. They are a
part of the National Wildlife Refuge System extensive network of lands and waters protected and
managed especially for wildlife and its habita. A branch of the U S Fish and Wildlife Service, the
National Wildlife Refuge System protects more than 92 million acres of land and water from Alaska to
the Florida Keys and from the South Pacific to Maine, preserving critical habitat for 170 federally
listed threatened or endangered species and other wildlife. Symbolized by the Blue Goose, these
national treasures inspire more than 30 million visitors a year.
There are four National Wildlife Refuges located in this extraordinary and seemingly endless expanse of
sea, islands and sky—the National Key Deer Refuge, Great White Heron, Key West and Crocodile Lake
National Wildlife Refuges. These refuges are part of a vast subtropical ecosystem. This distinctive chain
of islands stretches almost 150 miles from the southeastern tip of Florida, curving gently westward
dividing the aqua-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico from the distant deep blue Atlantic Ocean. These
refuges support several habitats that sustain a wide variety of plants and animals, some of which do not
exist an else on earth.
The four refuges include more than 416,000 acres of land and open water. Most keys are fringed along
the shoreline by red and black mangroves. On larger keys, this gives way to a wide variety of tropical and
subtropical trees and shrubs on slightly higher ground. These lands maintain a unique biodiversity by
protecting and preserving important freshwater wetlands, mangroves, tropical hardwood forests
(hammocks), and pine rockland forests. Together, these habitats provide the four basic components of a
habitat—food, water, shelter and open space— necessary for the survival of 22 federally listed threatened
or endangered species and other native wildlife. As commercial and residential development in the Keys
increases, pressure on limited land and water resources become more crucial to the survival of this
fragile ecosystem.
The bird life on the refuges include a variety of long legged wading birds such as egrets and rare species
such as the roseate spoonbill. One can occasionally see these wading birds on their spindly legs
patiently stalking the flats, stabbing the water for fish in the company of pelicans. One may also find more
elusive birds such as the white-crowned pigeon. A birding checklist is available at the refuge visitor center.
Visitors may also see diminutive Key deer, toothy alligators and colorful butterflies. You might even catch a
glimpse of a leaping dolphin or a ray gliding along the bottom of the shallow flats. The waters teem with
brilliantly colored tropical fish. Anglers have opportunities to catch challenging sportfish such as bonefish,
tarpon and permit. Catch and release of these sportfish is an encouraged tradition.
Visitor Center/Headquarters
The visitor center for the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges is located in the Big Pine Key Plaza on Key
Deer Boulevard, 1/4 mile north of the traffic light on US 1 at mile marker 30. Visitors are encouraged to
stop in for more information about the refuges and see the wildlife displays. The center is accessible to
the disabled. The administrative headquarters for the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges are located
on Big Pine Key at the west end of Watson Boulevard.
Managing the National Wildlife Refuge System
The National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of October 9, 1997 recognizes as law that the primary
function of a National Wildlife Refuge is to conserve fish, wildlife, plants and their habitat for the long- term
benefit of the American people. Public use of a refuge may be allowed only when the activity is compatible
with the mission of the System and purpose of the individual refuge. Wildlife-dependent activities such as
fishing, hunting, environmental education, photography, and wildlife observation will take precedent over
other public use activities. Your cooperation in obeying refuge regulations will help protect you, the wildlife
and wildlife habitat.
National Key Deer Refuge
National Key Deer Refuge is located in the Lower Keys and consists of a patchwork of small and large
tracts of pine rockland forest, dense mangrove forest flooded by salt water, hardwood hammocks and
freshwater wetlands. Most of the refuge is open to the public. The refuge has three self interpreted areas—
the Blue Hole, the Jack Watson Wildlife Trail and the Fred Manillo (wheelchair accessible) Wildlife Trail.
Refer to the map for their location. Also, visitors are welcome to hike refuge fire roads that are open for
access. There are additional hiking trails on Cudjoe Key, Upper Sugarloaf Key, Lower Sugarloaf Key and
the trail locations that are shown on the map.
Big Pine Key has extensive growths of Florida slash pine, silver palms, thatch palm and poisonwood.
Poisonwood produces an oil which can cause a rash to humans similar to poison ivy. To identify it, look
for telltale “burn” marks on the leaves.
Orchids, cactus, and air-plants add to the rich variety of plants. At least 466 species of plants have been
found on Big Pine Key alone. Within the Key’s underlying rock are natural solution holes created by rainfall
dissolving the island’s limestone substrate.
These natural depressions act as efficient rain water collectors and historically have enabled the Key deer
to thrive on Big Pine Key when other islands were dry.
The Blue Hole is an abandoned limestone quarry. The rock material removed was used to build many of
the original roads on Big Pine Key. Since there is no inlet or outlet to the Blue Hole, its existence is
dependent on rainfall and from salt water which flows through the surrounding limestone. Fish, turtles,
alligators and the occasional wading bird can be found in the Blue Hole. Alligators can often be seen
hugging the shoreline, lazily sunning themselves. Do not feed or molest the alligators—it is dangerous
and illegal! Access for the disabled is provided.
The Jack C. Watson Wildlife Trail is a 2/3 mile loop through pine rockland forest and freshwater wetlands.
The Fred C. Manillo Wildlife Trail is an 800-foot wheelchair accessible pathway, ending at an observation
platform overlooking a freshwater wetland. Both trail heads are in a parking lot located approximately 1/4
mile north of the Blue Hole on Key Deer Blvd.
All wildlife and plants on a National Wildlife Refuge are protected. Endangered and threatened wildlife as
listed on the federal Endangered Species List receives priority protection. This refuge protects the
endangered Key deer Lower Keys marsh rabbit and the silver rice rat to name a few.
Key deer are found on approximately 30 islands in the lower keys. The Key deer is the smallest sub-
species of the Virginia white-tailed deer. They were isolated here about 4,000-10,000 years ago when the
Wisconsin glacier melted and ocean levels rose, creating a chain of islands. They are geographically and
genetically isolated from other populations of white-tail deer and have evolved and adapted to a subtropic
environment. Because the Key deer population is low and remains under threat of extinction from human
interaction, the subspecies is listed as endangered, receiving protection under the Endangered Species
Act. This increased human interaction is having many influences on the Key deer and causing changes in
their behavior. Feeding them causes them to congregate making them more susceptible to disease.
Loss of alarm and flight response makes the deer more vulnerable to harassment or death from dogs,
cars, and poachers.
Under federal and state law, it is illegal to feed or disturb endangered or threatened species and refuge
regulations prohibit feeding or disturbing any wildlife on a National Wildlife Refuge. The least obtrusive
way to observe wildlife while traveling along the roads is to remain fully within your vehicle.
If you are out of your vehicle or hiking on the refuge, do not approach wildlife, extend your arms towards
them or attempt to call them to you. National Wildlife Refuges are havens for wild animals. Please do not
treat wildlife as pets or expect them to behave as pets!
Also, protected are such wildlife species as the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, songbirds, wading
birds, shorebirds and a variety of unique West Indian plants. For more information on birds of the Keys, a
checklist, and suggested places to observe birds, see the refuge brochure Birds of the Florida Keys
National Wildlife Refuges which is available at the refuge visitor center.
Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges
Encompassing numerous islands known locally as the Backcountry, Key West and Great White Heron
National Wildlife Refuges are among the oldest refuges in the nation. These areas were set aside for the
primary purpose of maintaining a preserve and breeding ground for native birds. In contrast to the “main”
Keys (linked by the Overseas Hwy/US 1), the Backcountry, with a few exceptions, is a pristine, uninhabited
area of islands scattered amidst the biologically rich waters of the Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. In
1975, Congress recognized the special qualities of these refuges by designating many of the islands as
part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, providing them with additional protection. Both
refuges are of great interest scenically and scientifically, exemplifying a subtropical region unlike any other
part of the United States.
Peering westward from Key West, the southernmost point in the continental U.S., one gazes upon Key
West National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge was the first National Wildlife Refuge designated in the Florida
Keys. It was established by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 to curtail the slaughter of birds whose feathers
were highly valued in the hat industry. Wading birds were threatened with extinction before this refuge
began providing a safe haven for them and other threatened plant and animal species.
Encompassing more than 300 square miles of open water and 2,019 acres of land on 26 islands, the
refuge protects habitat for a wide variety of birds, including nesting and/or wintering populations of terns,
frigate birds, white-crowned pigeons, ospreys and great white herons. The sandy beaches are nesting
areas for the endangered Atlantic green and loggerhead turtles and is the only breeding site in the U.S. for
the endangered hawksbill turtle.
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge is a vast array of pristine, isolated keys extending more than
290 square miles of open water in the Gulf of Mexico from Key West to Marathon. Refuge lands total 6,297
acres. The habitats of these keys are almost without exception, low mangroves and are not easily
accessible.
Established in 1938, the refuge provides permanent protection to the largest of North America’s wading
birds—the great white heron. With long graceful plumes, this color variation of the great blue heron is
found only in the Florida Keys and south Florida. The only known breeding colony of laughing gulls in the
Lower Keys also nest here as well. Equally significant, the few beaches on the islands of this refuge also
provide nesting habitat for loggerhead and green turtles. The marine waters are habitat for leatherback
and Kemps ridley turtles and the occasional manatee. These waters are vital nursery grounds for
hundreds of species of fish and shellfish. The refuge also preserves the scenic, wild character of the
Florida Keys Backcountry.
part of the National Wildlife Refuge System extensive network of lands and waters protected and
managed especially for wildlife and its habita. A branch of the U S Fish and Wildlife Service, the
National Wildlife Refuge System protects more than 92 million acres of land and water from Alaska to
the Florida Keys and from the South Pacific to Maine, preserving critical habitat for 170 federally
listed threatened or endangered species and other wildlife. Symbolized by the Blue Goose, these
national treasures inspire more than 30 million visitors a year.
There are four National Wildlife Refuges located in this extraordinary and seemingly endless expanse of
sea, islands and sky—the National Key Deer Refuge, Great White Heron, Key West and Crocodile Lake
National Wildlife Refuges. These refuges are part of a vast subtropical ecosystem. This distinctive chain
of islands stretches almost 150 miles from the southeastern tip of Florida, curving gently westward
dividing the aqua-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico from the distant deep blue Atlantic Ocean. These
refuges support several habitats that sustain a wide variety of plants and animals, some of which do not
exist an else on earth.
The four refuges include more than 416,000 acres of land and open water. Most keys are fringed along
the shoreline by red and black mangroves. On larger keys, this gives way to a wide variety of tropical and
subtropical trees and shrubs on slightly higher ground. These lands maintain a unique biodiversity by
protecting and preserving important freshwater wetlands, mangroves, tropical hardwood forests
(hammocks), and pine rockland forests. Together, these habitats provide the four basic components of a
habitat—food, water, shelter and open space— necessary for the survival of 22 federally listed threatened
or endangered species and other native wildlife. As commercial and residential development in the Keys
increases, pressure on limited land and water resources become more crucial to the survival of this
fragile ecosystem.
The bird life on the refuges include a variety of long legged wading birds such as egrets and rare species
such as the roseate spoonbill. One can occasionally see these wading birds on their spindly legs
patiently stalking the flats, stabbing the water for fish in the company of pelicans. One may also find more
elusive birds such as the white-crowned pigeon. A birding checklist is available at the refuge visitor center.
Visitors may also see diminutive Key deer, toothy alligators and colorful butterflies. You might even catch a
glimpse of a leaping dolphin or a ray gliding along the bottom of the shallow flats. The waters teem with
brilliantly colored tropical fish. Anglers have opportunities to catch challenging sportfish such as bonefish,
tarpon and permit. Catch and release of these sportfish is an encouraged tradition.
Visitor Center/Headquarters
The visitor center for the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges is located in the Big Pine Key Plaza on Key
Deer Boulevard, 1/4 mile north of the traffic light on US 1 at mile marker 30. Visitors are encouraged to
stop in for more information about the refuges and see the wildlife displays. The center is accessible to
the disabled. The administrative headquarters for the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges are located
on Big Pine Key at the west end of Watson Boulevard.
Managing the National Wildlife Refuge System
The National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of October 9, 1997 recognizes as law that the primary
function of a National Wildlife Refuge is to conserve fish, wildlife, plants and their habitat for the long- term
benefit of the American people. Public use of a refuge may be allowed only when the activity is compatible
with the mission of the System and purpose of the individual refuge. Wildlife-dependent activities such as
fishing, hunting, environmental education, photography, and wildlife observation will take precedent over
other public use activities. Your cooperation in obeying refuge regulations will help protect you, the wildlife
and wildlife habitat.
National Key Deer Refuge
National Key Deer Refuge is located in the Lower Keys and consists of a patchwork of small and large
tracts of pine rockland forest, dense mangrove forest flooded by salt water, hardwood hammocks and
freshwater wetlands. Most of the refuge is open to the public. The refuge has three self interpreted areas—
the Blue Hole, the Jack Watson Wildlife Trail and the Fred Manillo (wheelchair accessible) Wildlife Trail.
Refer to the map for their location. Also, visitors are welcome to hike refuge fire roads that are open for
access. There are additional hiking trails on Cudjoe Key, Upper Sugarloaf Key, Lower Sugarloaf Key and
the trail locations that are shown on the map.
Big Pine Key has extensive growths of Florida slash pine, silver palms, thatch palm and poisonwood.
Poisonwood produces an oil which can cause a rash to humans similar to poison ivy. To identify it, look
for telltale “burn” marks on the leaves.
Orchids, cactus, and air-plants add to the rich variety of plants. At least 466 species of plants have been
found on Big Pine Key alone. Within the Key’s underlying rock are natural solution holes created by rainfall
dissolving the island’s limestone substrate.
These natural depressions act as efficient rain water collectors and historically have enabled the Key deer
to thrive on Big Pine Key when other islands were dry.
The Blue Hole is an abandoned limestone quarry. The rock material removed was used to build many of
the original roads on Big Pine Key. Since there is no inlet or outlet to the Blue Hole, its existence is
dependent on rainfall and from salt water which flows through the surrounding limestone. Fish, turtles,
alligators and the occasional wading bird can be found in the Blue Hole. Alligators can often be seen
hugging the shoreline, lazily sunning themselves. Do not feed or molest the alligators—it is dangerous
and illegal! Access for the disabled is provided.
The Jack C. Watson Wildlife Trail is a 2/3 mile loop through pine rockland forest and freshwater wetlands.
The Fred C. Manillo Wildlife Trail is an 800-foot wheelchair accessible pathway, ending at an observation
platform overlooking a freshwater wetland. Both trail heads are in a parking lot located approximately 1/4
mile north of the Blue Hole on Key Deer Blvd.
All wildlife and plants on a National Wildlife Refuge are protected. Endangered and threatened wildlife as
listed on the federal Endangered Species List receives priority protection. This refuge protects the
endangered Key deer Lower Keys marsh rabbit and the silver rice rat to name a few.
Key deer are found on approximately 30 islands in the lower keys. The Key deer is the smallest sub-
species of the Virginia white-tailed deer. They were isolated here about 4,000-10,000 years ago when the
Wisconsin glacier melted and ocean levels rose, creating a chain of islands. They are geographically and
genetically isolated from other populations of white-tail deer and have evolved and adapted to a subtropic
environment. Because the Key deer population is low and remains under threat of extinction from human
interaction, the subspecies is listed as endangered, receiving protection under the Endangered Species
Act. This increased human interaction is having many influences on the Key deer and causing changes in
their behavior. Feeding them causes them to congregate making them more susceptible to disease.
Loss of alarm and flight response makes the deer more vulnerable to harassment or death from dogs,
cars, and poachers.
Under federal and state law, it is illegal to feed or disturb endangered or threatened species and refuge
regulations prohibit feeding or disturbing any wildlife on a National Wildlife Refuge. The least obtrusive
way to observe wildlife while traveling along the roads is to remain fully within your vehicle.
If you are out of your vehicle or hiking on the refuge, do not approach wildlife, extend your arms towards
them or attempt to call them to you. National Wildlife Refuges are havens for wild animals. Please do not
treat wildlife as pets or expect them to behave as pets!
Also, protected are such wildlife species as the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, songbirds, wading
birds, shorebirds and a variety of unique West Indian plants. For more information on birds of the Keys, a
checklist, and suggested places to observe birds, see the refuge brochure Birds of the Florida Keys
National Wildlife Refuges which is available at the refuge visitor center.
Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges
Encompassing numerous islands known locally as the Backcountry, Key West and Great White Heron
National Wildlife Refuges are among the oldest refuges in the nation. These areas were set aside for the
primary purpose of maintaining a preserve and breeding ground for native birds. In contrast to the “main”
Keys (linked by the Overseas Hwy/US 1), the Backcountry, with a few exceptions, is a pristine, uninhabited
area of islands scattered amidst the biologically rich waters of the Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. In
1975, Congress recognized the special qualities of these refuges by designating many of the islands as
part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, providing them with additional protection. Both
refuges are of great interest scenically and scientifically, exemplifying a subtropical region unlike any other
part of the United States.
Peering westward from Key West, the southernmost point in the continental U.S., one gazes upon Key
West National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge was the first National Wildlife Refuge designated in the Florida
Keys. It was established by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 to curtail the slaughter of birds whose feathers
were highly valued in the hat industry. Wading birds were threatened with extinction before this refuge
began providing a safe haven for them and other threatened plant and animal species.
Encompassing more than 300 square miles of open water and 2,019 acres of land on 26 islands, the
refuge protects habitat for a wide variety of birds, including nesting and/or wintering populations of terns,
frigate birds, white-crowned pigeons, ospreys and great white herons. The sandy beaches are nesting
areas for the endangered Atlantic green and loggerhead turtles and is the only breeding site in the U.S. for
the endangered hawksbill turtle.
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge is a vast array of pristine, isolated keys extending more than
290 square miles of open water in the Gulf of Mexico from Key West to Marathon. Refuge lands total 6,297
acres. The habitats of these keys are almost without exception, low mangroves and are not easily
accessible.
Established in 1938, the refuge provides permanent protection to the largest of North America’s wading
birds—the great white heron. With long graceful plumes, this color variation of the great blue heron is
found only in the Florida Keys and south Florida. The only known breeding colony of laughing gulls in the
Lower Keys also nest here as well. Equally significant, the few beaches on the islands of this refuge also
provide nesting habitat for loggerhead and green turtles. The marine waters are habitat for leatherback
and Kemps ridley turtles and the occasional manatee. These waters are vital nursery grounds for
hundreds of species of fish and shellfish. The refuge also preserves the scenic, wild character of the
Florida Keys Backcountry.
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Florida Keys Vacation Rentals by Owner and by Property Management Companies.
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and apartments and also privately owned properties offered through rental agencies and management
companies.
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Florida Keys Vacation Rentals by Owner and by Property Management Companies.
flkeys-vacationrentals.com - Specializing in vacation rentals by owner, homes, condos, cabins, villas
and apartments and also privately owned properties offered through rental agencies and management
companies.
To report any problems with this site, please email us at comments@flkeys-vacationrentals.com
Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions.
