Road Map to Recreation
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Although the Reserve encompasses just the lower 52 miles of Where A River Meets the Sea the Apalachicola River, it is connected to a sprawling watershed Welcome to the Apalachicola River and Bay Basin that traverses three states and covers nearly 20,000 square Deep in the tupelo and miles. The upper reaches of the basin begin about 90 miles cypress swamps of the above Atlanta, where the Chattahoochee River originates as a Additional Resources floodplain, dark and rich small mountain stream. Flowing south for 436 miles it meets Weather and Wildlife water seeps into the flow the 350 mile long Flint River at the Florida state line and Lake If you suspect a fish, wildlife, boating or environmental of a large alluvial river that Seminole. Below this point, we call the river Apalachicola as it violation, contact FWC’s Wildlife Alert at 888-404-3922. Use makes its way to one of the stretches 107 miles to Apalachicola Bay and eventually the Gulf this line to also report dead, sick or injured most productive estuaries of Mexico. sea turtles and marine mammals. Cypress swamp (Rothenberg, 2010) in the world. This gem of The many habitats found within the Apalachicola River USGS Current Water Data for Florida: natural diversity that we call the Apalachicola River and Bay watershed support a high diversity of plant and animal species. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/rt System includes upland, floodplain, riverine, estuarine and More than 1,300 plant species have been identified here with barrier island environments, which are closely interrelated and NOAA Tides, Currents and Weather: 103 of them listed as threatened or endangered. This region influenced by each other. https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ contains more than 40 species of amphibians and 80 species of reptiles, giving the central Panhandle one of the highest Recreation diversities of these animal groups in North America. The For a list of fishing guides, ecotours and Apalachicola basin lies on the eastern fringe of the Mississippi kayak/canoe rentals in the Franklin County area: flyway, thus receiving large numbers of birds from both the http://www.saltyflorida.com/things-to-do/nature-outdoors/ Midwest and Atlantic Seaboard during migratory periods. Lands and waters of the Forgotten Coast serve as some of the Explore the Florida Hikes! website for places to hike, camp, most important bird habitats in the southeastern United States, paddle and bike: http://floridahikes.com/northwest-florida harboring 350 species throughout the different seasons. Over 270 species of fish have been observed, of which approximately Conservation 90 are strictly freshwater species, as well as more than 50 Invasive species identification, EDD MapS reporting and Tidal creek flatwoods (Blitch, 2009) species of mammal. partnerships: http://www.eddmaps.org/Florida/ The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve This Roadmap to Recreation aims to showcase the recreational opportunities within these natural habitats across Regional Land Stewardship in the Panhandle Overview of prescribed fire: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/ (ANERR) encompasses nearly 250,000 acres of public lands our conservation lands. Primitive camping, hiking, nature To be a successful land steward means to not only focus Some of the ways in which land managers foster management/rx.html and waters in the Florida Panhandle. Public lands within the boundary of ANERR are managed by the Department observation and paddling are just a few of the ways to enjoy the on restoration and management within a single property, sustainable, natural ecosystems in Florida include: • The use of prescribed fire of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Coastal Office, ecosystems, while also having minimal impact on the natural but to collaborate across multiple properties, landowners communities. Please be thoughtful of your footprint on our and differences in order to achieve landscape level • Invasive species management For information on the Research, Stewardship, Education Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), natural and cultural resources while you explore, connect and conservation. • Protection of threatened and endangered species and Coastal Training Programs at ANERR visit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), U.S. enjoy the beauty of the Apalachicola River and Bay Basin! Florida conservation lands and waters span a variety • Enhancement of public access and use http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/apalachicola/ Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and DEP’s Division of Parks and of landowners, from federal and state, to county lands • Habitat mapping and monitoring Recreation. The Florida Forest and private holdings. Land managers are often juggling • Monitoring changes in water quality and coastal waters Service (FFS) and U.S. Forest scientific research, natural resource management and • Encouraging stewardship of the natural world through Service also manage public environmental education for many audiences at one time. education and outreach programs lands adjacent to the Reserve. This diverse group of natural resource managers seeks to A guide to exploring the recreation opportunities Find us on: conserve the biological function of the Apalachicola River and Bay Basin of the watershed, its natural Published 2016. Initial funding providing by the Florida Department communities and the many of Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Office. ecosystem services they provide. St. George Island (Snyder, 2014) Beach activities (Blitch, 2008) Apalachicola River sandbar (Snyder, 2015) Recreation Survival Chart Statewide Recreation Programs Apalachicola Apalachicola Apalachicola River Apalachicola River Box R St. George Island St. Vincent Tate’s Hell National Estuarine National Forest Water Management Wildlife & Wildlife Management State Park National Wildlife State Forest & Wildlife Research Reserve Area Environmental Area Area Refuge Management Area Seabirds and shorebirds (DEP, 2004) Campsite along the CT (Alderson, 2016) Saltwater fishing (Visit Florida, 2016) Start Here Nature Center and Unit 4 Accessible by vehicles; Florida River Island Multiple access points by Accessible by vehicles; Accessible by vehicles; Accessible by boat only; Accessible by vehicles; The Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT) The Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater DEP’s Division of Recreation and Parks (East Hole) accessible by Free to public Recreation Aera accessible vehicle and boat; Free to public; Entrance fee at Ranger Free to public Free to public is a 2,000 mile long collection of more than Paddling Trail (CT) is Florida’s longest and most manages the 174 parks, trails and historic vehicles; Free to Public; (Day Use/Camping fees by vehicles, but most areas Free to public; Pets leashed Station; Pets leashed (fees apply at shuttle (Day Use/Camping fees 500 locations in Florida where bird and wildlife ambitious paddling trail. The CT is a 1,515 mile sea sites within Florida’s State Park system. Besides Little St. George Island apply in some areas); accessible by boat; Pets leashed service from Indian Pass); apply in some areas); habitats are protected. The trail promotes kayaking adventure that includes every Florida coastal providing hundreds of thousands of acres for public (LSGI), Nick’s Hole and Pets leashed Free to public; No pets please Pets leashed Lower River Marsh tracts Pets leashed birdwatching, environmental education and ecotourism. Some habitat type, from barrier island dune systems to salt marshes recreational use, the state park system is the largest steward accessible by boat only; local sites that have been designated along this trail include: and mangroves. Numerous historical sites and natural points of of public historic properties in Florida. Be sure not to miss Pets leashed in all areas St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, Cash Bayou and Sand interest are accessible along the trail, as well as colorful fishing some of these parks in the Panhandle: Torreya, St. Joseph Bay Beach Day Use Areas, Fort Gadsden Historic Site, High Bluff communities and urban centers. The trail passes through the Peninsula, St. George Island, Bald Point and Ochlockonee. Amenities Restrooms, potable water, Restrooms and potable Restrooms and potable Restrooms and potable Restrooms may be Restrooms, showers and Restrooms available at the Restrooms and potable Coastal Hiking Trail, St. George Island State Park and Unit 4 Forgotten Coast in Segment 4 from St. Joseph Peninsula State elevator access and water available at water available at water available at available at check station potable water available Indian Pass boat launch; water available at (East Hole) on St. George Park to St. George Island State Park for 57 miles. Recreational fishing can be enjoyed in _ cellular service available developed Recreation Florida River Island designated Recreation area; No potable water; at six beach pavilions, Restrooms may be available designated Recreation both freshwater and saltwater habitats in the at the Nature Center Areas and Camps; Recreation Area; Areas and Camps; Limited cellular service the main campground, at West Pass Cabin/Indian Areas and Camps; Island. Limited cellular service Limited cellular service Limited cellular service in most areas and youth camp area. Pass; No potable water; Limited cellular service The Florida National Scenic Apalachicola River System. Common freshwater in many areas in most areas in many areas Limited cellular service Limited cellular service in many areas La Florida is the Trail (FNST)