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St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Introduction the National Refuge St U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Introduction The National Refuge St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory System is an extensive This blue goose, birds, is one of the oldest refuges in designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, the National Wildlife Refuge System. network of lands and has become a It is located in Wakulla, Jefferson, symbol of the and Taylor counties along the Gulf waters protected and refuge system. coast of northwest Florida, about 25 miles south of Tallahassee, Florida. managed especially for The topography is relatively flat, with soils wildlife and its habitat. and woodlands interspersed with ponds Refuges stretch across and sawgrass sloughs. Elevations range from the open water of Apalachee the United States from Bay and the barrier beaches to approximately above the Arctic Circle in 30 feet about mean sea photo: Frank Zontek photo: level. In addition, there are Alaska to the subtropical seven rivers and numerous creeks crossing the refuge. The climate is moderate, with temperatures ranging waters of the Florida from 21 to 96 degrees, and with an Keys and beyond to the annual rainfall of 55 inches. St. Marks is divided into three units. Caribbean and South The St. Marks Unit is east of the St. Marks River and is primarily slash pine flatwoods, swamps, manmade Pacific. The National impoundments, as well as freshwater photo: Joe Reinman photo: and saltwater marshes. The Office/ Wildlife Refuge System Visitor Center is located here on Lighthouse Road and most of the is managed by the U.S. public use occurs on this unit, where wildlife observation, fishing, cycling, Fish and Wildlife and hiking are excellent. The Wakulla Unit lies between the Service which protects Wakulla River and Spring Creek and is mostly hardwood hammocks, and manages over 500 swamps and pine flatwoods. The Panacea Unit is west of Shell Point to the Ochlockonee River and is mostly refuges for wildlife and pine flatwoods and sandhills, dotted with freshwater lakes, and tidal for people to enjoy. marshes. Each unit is unique and contributes to the overall diversity of cover photo: plants and wildlife that makes St. D.J. Voros Marks significant. A Look Back Wildlife Paleo-Indians occupied this area over St. Marks is well-known as an oasis of 10,000 years ago. The Apalachee different habitats for wildlife. Indians, often called the earliest Natural salt marshes, tidal flats, and inhabitants, were modern day freshwater impoundments attract descendants of the Paleo-Indians. thousands of waterfowl, shorebirds, Spanish explorers arrived in the wading birds and other animals. early 1500’s and by 1639, a port was established at the town of St. The open Marks. Fort San Marcos de marshes and Apalache, first built in 1679 at swamps also the confluence of the Wakulla provide a home and St. Marks Rivers, suffered to over 2,000 numerous attacks by pirates American and soldiers. alligators. In addition, the salt Today, the remains of the fort marshes are a and a small museum are a Joe Reinman photo: valuable nursery state park. Limestone mined area for fish, shrimp, and shellfish from what is now the Wakulla and provide protection during storms Unit of the Refuge was used to to shorebirds and other migrants. rebuild the fort, and to Apalachee Bay is home to bottlenose eventually, build the dolphins, brown pelicans, wintering foundation of the St. Marks redhead ducks, and a rich diversity photo: Robin Will lighthouse, constructed in of marine life. 1831. The lighthouse, located at the terminus of Lighthouse Road in the Another vital habitat are the St. Marks Unit, is still in operation photo: J. Greene photo: hardwood swamps, which support today. It survived gun boat battles, wood ducks, night herons, black the landing of Federal troops during bears, otter, the Civil War, as well as hurricanes and raccoons, and tropical storms and is now on the to name a few. National Register of Historic Sites. Finally, the This area has long provide rich extensive pine natural resources to its residents. woodlands offer Families that made sea salt during food and cover the Civil War were exempt from for turkeys, military service. Thus, the refuge white-tailed saltmarshes are dotted with the deer, bluebirds, remains of sea water evaporation fox squirrels, vats and their brick foundations. J. Greene photo: gopher tortoises, Bachman’s sparrows, red-cockaded Another source of revenue came woodpeckers, pine warblers, and from timber, and much of the Refuge many more species. was logged before being sold to the government. Turpentine production, Of the more than 300 species of birds dependent on the area’s pine forests, recorded on the refuge, 98 species was a principal industry in the early nest here. Some 19 species of ducks 1900s. Also, free-ranging cattle and and two species of geese may be seen hogs fed on the native grasses of from mid-November through what is now the refuge. photo: J. Greene photo: January. Migrating hawks, falcons, and shorebirds also use the Refuge. Three species of endangered/ threatened birds nest on the refuge: Southern bald eagle, least tern, and red-cockaded woodpecker. Other endangered or rare species found on the refuge include the: wood stork, American alligator, indigo snake, swallow-tailed kite, peregrine falcon and Florida black bear. Occasionally, visitors glimpse loggerhead sea turtles and West Indian manatees offshore by the lighthouse. Many state-listed threatened and endangered plants are also found on the refuge. The 52 species of mammals recorded photo: Joe Reinman photo: here include the relatively new armadillo and coyote, as well as the non-native jaguarundi and feral hog. In addition, the refuge is host to 40 species of amphibians and 65 species of photo: Joe Reinman photo: reptiles. Management St. Marks NWR staff focus on the protection and enhancement of natural habitats for wildlife. In pine woods, for example, management techniques for multi-age stands include thinning and prescribed burning to mimic the natural effects of storm winds, droughts and photo: Larryphoto: Williams lightning-caused fires. Fire plays an important role in the ecosystem by reducing fuels on photo on right: Frank Zontek the forest floor, releasing nutrients in 0 Miles 1 To Tallahassee Wakulla Springs State Park To Tallahassee 0 Kilo 1 Wakulla 267 59 Newport 61 365 Work 267 Newport Recreation Area N Center (Campground) To Perry 98 Wakulla Fire 61 River Tower Crawfordville 363 Refuge boundary 59 St. Marks Aucilla Wildlife Management Area Highway 365 98 Unpaved road Fort Florida trail San Pinhook River Private inholding 319 Marcos State park Wakulla Tram Aucilla River Beach Road Road Point of interest St. Marks 375 River Purify Medart Bay Spring 367A Road Creek 319 Wakulla Unit St. Marks Unit Sopchoppy St. Marks Lighthouse 98 Live Oak Shell Point Sopchoppy Point River GEORGIA Panacea 372A Piney 372 Island FLORIDA Otter 372A Executive Closing Order Boundary 10 Lake Tallahassee 372A 20 10 372B Apalachee Bay Panacea Unit 267 363 59 19 OchlockoneeThoms 319 Perry River Island Panacea Bridge 98 Ochlockonee Ochlockonee 372 Gulf of Mexico 319 St. Marks River State Park Bay National 319 (Campground) Wildlife Refuge Gulf of Mexico To Carrabelle St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of outdoor recreation activities for the refuge visitor. The refuge Visitor Center presents a general overview of what there is to do and see. Trails for hiking, wildlife observation and photography are available. For current information and wildlife sightings, check at the Visitor Center. the soil, and stimulating certain plants NWR each year to to produce seeds and fruits for wildlife. birdwatch, photograph, Planting native pines also helps to hike, fish, picnic, hunt, restore the historic environment. bicycle and simply enjoy the serenity and In the beauty of the refuge. impoundments, management Make Your Visit techniques Meaningful include water St. Marks Refuge level offers something for management for everyone who wildlife food appreciates and enjoys growth and nature. First-timers photo: J. Greene photo: access, as well as especially should stop salt water at the Visitor Center introduction, and become acquainted burning and spot with several displays herbicide describing refuge treatment for Evie O’Brien photo: wildlife and habitats noxious plant before venturing out. control. The staff The Visitor Center is monitors the open Monday through growth of such Friday from 8:15 a.m. valuable plants to 4:00 p.m. and on such as wigeon Saturday and Sunday grass, which is from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 favored by p.m. The Visitor Center wintering ducks. is closed on federal holidays. The refuge is photo: Robin Will photo: Outdoor open during daylight Education and hours. Recreation Public use The main route to view programs bring wildlife is Lighthouse people and Road. It is roughly wildlife together. seven miles from the Approximately Visitor Center to the 5000 school historical St. Marks children visit the Lighthouse at the end refuge each year of the road. Many photo: USFWS photo: to learn about visitors enjoy cycling wildlife and this route early in the morning to see photo: Robin Will photo: wildlands. wildlife. A wildlife drive guide is for Special events for the public during sale in the Visitor Center bookstore, the year include: Coastal Cleanup as are many other field guides, insect (September), Monarch Butterfly repellant, postcards, t-shirts, etc. Festival (October), migratory bird Supporting the bookstore through tours (November, December, purchases and memberships helps January, April), and Spring the St. Marks Refuge Association, Inc. Wildflower Day (April). Roughly assist the refuge with educational 270,000 visitors come to St. Marks and biological programs. Insects and sun can make an enjoyable day quickly turn uncomfortable so be prepared before starting out.
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