U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Welcome to the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge A maze of mangrove islands and narrow waterways serve as the nursery for many plants, animals and fish and define the area known as Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Left to right: woodstorks, tri-colored Refuge. The 35,000-acre refuge heron, West Indian manatee and calf, provides vital habitat for all raccoon, oystercatcher, swallow-tailed terrapin, can also be spotted if of US 41. The refuge currently does not provide parking kinds of protected plants and kites, dolphin and white pelicans, all you’re quiet. The islands with for trails 1, 3 and 4, so use caution when accessing those animals. Nearly 200 fish species USFWS/ Larry Richardson. higher elevations also have areas along US 41. Most areas for canoe and kayaks are have been documented in the Tropical Hardwood Forests accessible from late summer to early winter. waters, which are also home Ten Thousand Islands National that add diversity to the plant communities that can be found Hunting to several endangered species Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 Duck hunting is allowed by permit and all state including the West Indian Above: white egret under the provisions of the Arizona- on the refuge. The abundance and spoonbill; below: and diversity of wildlife on Ten regulations apply. An early teal season opens in late Manatee, Snail Kite, Peregrine Land Exchange Act of 1988, September. Waterfowl season starts in late November Falcon, Wood Stork, and the loggerhead sea turtle and the tidal waters are co-managed Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge are directly and is open until January. Hunting is only conducted on Atlantic Loggerhead, Green, with Rookery by National Estuarine Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays. and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles. Many of the nearly 200 Research Reserve. related to the health and species of birds that use the refuge are migratory and diversity of the habitats on the Camping The refuge is located east of Marco use the mangrove islands to protect them from storms, refuge. Camping is allowed only on the outer barrier islands of Island in Collier County, on the southwest coast of as feeding grounds, and to simply rest during their long the refuge for fishing and wildlife observation. Practice Florida, and is part of the extensive Ten Thousand Islands Activities migrations. Throughout the year, visitors can expect to “Leave No Trace” to minimize the damage to wildlife estuary. The refuge was established in order to develop, n Fishing (All state regulations apply) see herons, egrets, manatees, raccoons, river otters, and habitats. There are no facilities on the islands. If advance, manage, conserve, and protect the refuge’s n bottle-nosed dolphins. Boating campfires are built, only dead branches can be used. No unique (subtropical) estuarine ecosystem and its fish and n Wildlife Observation cutting or clearing of live plants is allowed. Take sufficient The estuary, where salt and fresh water mix, is a rich wildlife resources (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956). There drinking water for camping and day trips. story of plant and animal communities that are amazingly is a parking lot on US 41 for access to the hiking trail, n Wildlife Photography adapted to living on the dynamic edge of the sea. A great observation tower and limited access to some canoe trails. n Hunting (Waterfowl only) Special Events abundance of food in the Ten Thousand Islands area has n Camping Special events such as bird walks, canoe trips, and coastal attracted humans as well. For 2,000 years, the Calusa Rich Wildlife and Habitat Diversity clean-ups are scheduled in late September and October The rich estuarine, mangrove and marsh habitats attract Indian tribe utilized the islands extensively, constructing Fishing to commemorate National Wildlife Refuge week. The hundreds of species of wildlife. During the summer, large shell mounds, or middens. The midden structures Fishing is the most popular recreational activity refuge also hosts a bird walk during the annual Southwest thousands of water birds roost on the coastal islands. made by these native people are only a small part of the in the refuge. Fishing is productive year-round. Florida Nature Festival. Check local listings or with the On summer nights, the loggerhead sea turtles drag story left for us, but have served as a testament to the Common saltwater sportfish include tarpon, refuge for additional activities scheduled throughout the themselves onto refuge beaches to nest, as they have enduring spirit and added to the historical significance of snook, redfish, seatrout, and mangrove snapper. year. Please contact the refuge office directly for more been doing for thousands of years. Mangrove Cuckoos the area. Check local phone listings for tour or fishing information about upcoming events, hunting permits or and Black-whiskered Vireos can be heard from the guides. water level data. The importance of the refuge increases with the pressure mangroves as they mark their home territory on the of growing cities which continue to change the landscape. refuge. Manatees feed within the estuary and find shelter Canoeing Volunteers are welcome as we expand the activities on Preservation of natural areas for our nation’s wildlife from the cold in the winter months at Port of the Islands. In the northern marsh, canoeing is allowed but the refuge! Biological survey, interpretive and mainte- serves to protect our ecological systems as well as Wintering waterfowl forage in the northern marshes visitors should check water levels beforehand nance opportunities are available to interested indi- to provide beautiful areas for recreation and wildlife as Bald Eagles soar over the open water searching for because they vary greatly seasonally. The viduals or groups. Contact the refuge office or fill out a a meal. Rare reptiles, like the beautiful diamondback observation. refuge has four canoe trails with launch sites located off volunteer form online at www.volunteer.gov. To Naples 41 Picayune Strand State Forest Fakahatchee Strand Preserve 92 Collier-Seminole State Park State Park Tamiami P Trail

San 41 To Marco City Drive Mud Marsh Bay Trail Port of the Islands Big Marco Marina River Ten Thousand Islands

▲ Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Faka To Marco 92 Palm River Union Island Bay Canal Goodland ▲ ▲ Bay ▲ ▲ Gill Rattle Buttonwood▲ Creek ▲ Pumpkin Goodland ▲Bay Whitney Fakahatchee River River Drive Sugar ▲ Little Strand ▲ Bay ▲ Wood River Preserve ▲ ▲ Pumpkin State Park Shell Bay Key Wood ▲ Tripod River Key Tidal waters co-managed with Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve ▲ ▲Faka Union Brush ▲ Coon Key Bay ▲ Key ▲ ▲

Turtle ▲ Key Fakahatchee Coon Key Light Bay Lat 25o-52.90o N o o Long 81-37.90 W ▲ Gullivan Bay Gullivan ▲ Key ▲ ▲ White Hog ▲ Horse Key G U L F O F M E X I C O Key Panther Key ▲ ▲

▲ ▲ Refuge boundary otter /BobMontanaro State forest Round Key State park

▲ National park Marked channels Camp Lulu Boat ramp Key Parking lot P Observation tower Everglades Canoe trails National Park

Naples 75 95

41 0 Miles 2 Ten Thousand Islands National Miami N Wildlife Refuge 0 Kilo 2

For more information contact the refuge Office hours: Monday through Friday “Leave No Trace” principles let everyone enjoy the wildlife! 7:30 am to 3:30 pm All plants and animals are protected. Phone: 239/657 8001 Stay far enough away from resting birds so that they do not flush. Fax: 239/657 8002 Take no live shells. Stay on trails. Take your trash with you. 12085 State Road 29 South Immokalee, FL 34142 Be a responsible boater. Avoid building campfires. Website: http://www.fws.gov/floridapanther/ Use facilities on your boat or a “portable potty.” TenThousandIslands/ Dig a cat hole above the high tide line for fecal matter. March 2015 Protect yourself from sun stroke, biting insects, and be aware of dangerous currents while swimming. No digging or removal of artifacts.