National Wildlife Refuges of the Florida Keys
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elcome to the Florida Keys. There are four cuckoo, the gray The Blue Hole is a rock pit Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge WNational Wildlife Refuges located in this extraordinary kingbird, black- filled with saltwater with a is a vast array of pristine, isolated keys, and seemingly endless expanse of sea, keys and whiskered vireo and layer of freshwater floating extending over 264 square miles of open sky—the National Key Deer, Great White Heron, Key white-crowned on top. It is teeming with water in the Gulf of Mexico. The habitat of West and Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuges. pigeon. A bird list is fish, turtles, a few alligators these keys are almost without exception low They are part of a vast subtropical ecosystem. This available at the refuge and the occasional wading mangrove and are not easily accessible. distinctive chain of islands stretches almost 120 miles headquarters. bird. Alligators can often be Established in 1938, the refuge now gives from the southeastern tip of Florida, curving gently Visitors also may see seen hugging the shoreline permanent protection to the largest of North westward as they divide the blue-green waters of the tiny Key deer, lazily sunning themselves. America's wading birds—the great white the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean. toothy alligators, and Do not feed or molest the heron. With long graceful plumes, this color These are islands that have been weathered from colorful butterflies. You alligators—it is dangerous variation of the great blue heron is found ancient coral reefs and natural limestone deposits. may even catch a and illegal. Access for only in the Florida Keys and the southern part They support several ecosystems and habitats that glimpse of leaping wheelchair users is provided of the Florida mainland. Rare birds, such as sustain a wide variety of plants and animals, some of dolphin or a ray gliding via a pathway and a the white-crowned pigeon, roseate which are not found anywhere else on earth. The along the bottom of designated parking spot. spoonbill, and the only known colony of four refuges include over 23,000 acres of land and the shallow flats. The The Watson Wildlife Trail is a laughing gulls in the lower keys nest here as 349,000 acres of open water. Key deer waters teem with 2/3 mile loop through pine well. The refuge also helps in substantial measure to preserve the scenic character of Together they protect and preserve important brilliantly colored tropical fish. Anglers have opportunities rockland forest and great white heron to catch challenging sportfish such as bonefish, tarpon, freshwater wetlands which is the Florida Keys. The keys within the refuge habitats for wildlife such as freshwater wetlands, total almost 7,500 acres. mangrove (saltwater) wetlands, tropical hardwood and permit. Catch and release of these sportfish is a typical habit for this area of the Keys. Access for hammocks, and pine rocklands which help to protect tradition and is encouraged. wheelchair users and sight impaired visitors is moderately Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge difficult. the unique ecosystems and biodiversity of the National Key Deer Refuge Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in the National ecoregion. Combined, the protected areas help National Key Deer Refuge is Great White Heron and upper keys but is closed to public access to protect provide food, water, shelter, and open space located in the lower keys and Key West National Wildlife Refuges critical habitat for the endangered American crocodile, Wildlife necessary for the survival of twenty-two Federally consists of a patchwork of small Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Key Largo wood rat, Key Largo cotton mouse and other listed threatened or endangered species and other and large tracts of dense Refuges include numerous islands known locally as the wildlife. Undisturbed habitats are critical to the survival of native wildlife. As commercial and residential mangrove, pine rockland, Backcountry which are located off the main chain of these rare animals. Refuges development in the Keys continues to put pressure on keys. These islands are accessible only by boat. Refer to hardwood hammocks and Natural History limited land and water resources, protected habitats freshwater wetlands. the map for their location. Both refuges are of great become more crucial to the survival of this fragile interest scenically and scientifically, exemplifying a “It is difficult to imagine how different the Keys were only of the ecosystem. The establishment of this refuge 12,000 short years ago in the Pleistocene period. The sea John & Karen Hollingsworth tropical region unlike any other part of the United States. in 1957 was the result of level was much lower then, and the peninsula of what we Each key is fringed along the shoreline by red and If you are planning a trip to the Backcountry, you should conservation efforts begun in the now call South black mangroves. On larger keys, this gives way to a obtain a copy of the Backcountry Regulations and Florida 1940's to protect a herd of less Florida extended wide variety of tropical and subtropical trees and Planning a Backcountry Trip brochures. than 50 Key deer. Today the uninterrupted by shrubs on slightly higher ground. The larger keys, population level is approximately Gazing westward from Key West at the southern most water all the way especially Big Pine Key, have extensive growths of Keys 300. The best areas to see Key point in the continental U.S., one sees Key West National to Key West. Since Caribbean slash pine, silver and thatch palms, and deer are on Big Pine and No Wildlife Refuge. This refuge was the first national wildlife that time, sea poisonwood. Poisonwood produces an oil which can Name Keys. For further refuge to be established in the Florida Keys. The refuge levels have risen to cause a rash similar to poison ivy. To identify it, look for information on the Key deer, encompasses over 375 square miles of open water and their present the tell-tale “burn” marks on the leaves. Orchids, refer to the free 2,019 acres of land. heights and cactus, and air-plants add to the rich variety of refuge brochure Facts on the The refuge protects habitat for a wide variety of birds inundated much plants. At least 466 species of plant life have been Key American Deer. alligator The including nesting and/or wintering populations of terns, of Pleistocene found on Big Pine Key alone. Four of almost refuge also protects other wildlife including the frigate birds, white-crowned pigeons, ospreys, and great Florida, creating The bird life of the refuges includes a variety of long- marsh rabbit, silver rice rat, a variety of unique West Indian white herons. Also, the sandy beaches are nesting habitat our chainmarsh rabbit of islands. This five hundred refuges legged wading birds such as the great white heron plants, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and for the endangered Atlantic green and loggerhead sea was a very different world than the tropical Keys we and rarer species such as the roseate spoonbill and songbirds. turtles. The refuge was established by Theodore Roosevelt presently know. The climate was milder and more in the United States. reddish egret. One can occasionally see these The refuge headquarters is located on Big Pine Key. Visitors in 1908 to curtail the slaughter of birds whose feathers temperate. Hurricanes may have been less common. wading birds on their long, spindly legs patiently are encouraged to stop at the office for information. The were highly valued in the clothing industry. Wading birds stalking the flats in the company of pelicans with their office and public restrooms are accessible to the disabled. were threatened with extinction before this refuge began long pouched bills diving into the water for fish. Also Department of the Interior The refuge has two self interpreted areas, the Blue Hole providing a safe haven for them and other threatened U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recycled paper on the refuges can be found the elusive mangrove and the Watson Wildlife Trail. plant and animals species. RF-41580-February, 1994 F L O R I D A Hiking on designated trails No camping on refuge lands No fires on refuge lands No weapons unless cased and left in vehicles/boats • No metal detectors and/or removing artifacts • Personal watercraft, airboats, hovercraft, seaplanes and waterskiing in designated areas only • Feeding/molesting wildlife is prohibited • Storing equipment on refuge lands in prohibited Refuge hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise—1/2 hour after sunset Pine Key. Mrs. Watson sold the property to the North For your safety, please read the following information: American Wildlife Foundation which gave it to the U.S. The Florida Keys are a paradise, but also have wild Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Key Deer areas; the environment can be harsh and some of Refuge. the wildlife can be harmful. During extended outdoor Cultural History During the 1920's, some citizens of the Keys engaged in exposure, the use of a sunblock for your skin, a hat, “Almost 1200 years ago, it is thought that native rum running and the first road-ferry route opened from insect repellant, and sunglasses may be necessary. Americans first gazed from southern Florida to what is now Miami to Key West. In the 1930's, a Labor Day hurricane Native vegetation includes poisonwood (a toxic plant known as Key Largo. During the 1700's, Creek Indians destroys the railroad and kills more than 400 people. A similar to poison ivy). Learn to identify it. Alligators, conducted raids on the Florida Keys Indians driving them new Overseas Highway is completed using the railroad which are present in freshwater pools such as the Blue further down the keys.