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National Key Deer Refuge, Key West &Great White Heron National Wildlife RefugesP. O. Box 430510Big Pine Key, FL 33043 - 0510Visitor center: 305/872 0774 Fax: 305/872 2154Administrative office: 305/872 2239 Fax: 305/872 [email protected]
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife RefugeP. O. Box 370Key Largo, FL 33037Phone: 305/451 4223 Fax: 305/451 [email protected]
February 2004
Florida KeysNational WildlifeRefuges
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The National Wildlife Refugesof the Florida Keys areunmatched anywhere in theworld. They are a part of theNational Wildlife RefugeSystem––an extensive networkof lands and waters protectedand managed especially forwildlife and its habitat. Abranch of the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service, the NationalWildlife Refuge System protectsmore than 92 million acres ofland and water from Alaska tothe Florida Keys and from theSouth Pacific to Maine,preserving critical habitat for170 federally listed threatenedor endangered species and otherwildlife. Symbolized by the BlueGoose, these national treasuresinspire more than 30 millionvisitors a year.
This blue goose,designed by J. N.“Ding” Darling, hasbecome the symbol ofthe National WildlifeRefuge System.
Welcome to the Florida Keys! Thereare four National Wildlife Refugeslocated in this extraordinary andseemingly endless expanse of sea,islands and sky––the National KeyDeer Refuge, Great White Heron,Key West and Crocodile LakeNational Wildlife Refuges. Theserefuges are part of a vast subtropicalecosystem. This distinctive chain ofislands stretches almost 150 milesfrom the southeastern tip of Florida,curving gently westward dividing theaqua-green waters of the Gulf ofMexico from the distant deep blueAtlantic Ocean. These refugessupport several habitats that sustaina wide variety of plants and animals,some of which do not exist anywhereelse on earth.
The four refuges include more than416,000 acres of land and open water.Most keys are fringed along theshoreline by red and blackmangroves. On larger keys, thisgives way to a wide variety oftropical and subtropical trees andshrubs on slightly higher ground.These lands maintain a uniquebiodiversity by protecting andpreserving important freshwaterwetlands, mangroves, tropicalhardwood forests (hammocks), andpine rockland forests. Together,these habitats provide the four basiccomponents of a habitat––food,water, shelter and open space––necessary for the survival of 22federally listed threatened orendangered species and other nativewildlife. As commercial andresidential development in the Keysincreases, pressure on limited landand water resources become morecrucial to the survival of this fragileecosystem.
Florida KeysNationalWildlifeRefuges
cover photo:USFWS Key Deer
Mangrove
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The bird life on the refuges include avariety of long legged wading birdssuch as egrets and rare species suchas the roseate spoonbill. One canoccasionally see these wading birdson their spindly legs patientlystalking the flats, stabbing the waterfor fish in the company of pelicans.One may also find more elusive birdssuch as the white-crowned pigeon. Abirding checklist is available at therefuge visitor center.
Visitors may also see diminutive Keydeer, toothy alligators and colorfulbutterflies. You might even catch aglimpse of a leaping dolphin or a raygliding along the bottom of theshallow flats. The waters teem withbrilliantly colored tropical fish.Anglers have opportunities to catchchallenging sportfish such asbonefish, tarpon and permit. Catchand release of these sportfish is anencouraged tradition.
Dowitchers
Bald Eagle
Snowy Egret
Pelican
Osprey chick
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Visitor Center/HeadquartersThe visitor center for the FloridaKeys National Wildlife Refuges islocated in the Big Pine Key Plaza onKey Deer Boulevard, 1/4 mile northof the traffic light on U.S. 1 at milemarker 30. Visitors are encouragedto stop in for more information aboutthe refuges and see the wildlifedisplays. The center is accessible tothe disabled. The administrativeheadquarters for the Florida KeysNational Wildlife Refuges are locatedon Big Pine Key at the west end ofWatson Boulevard.
Managing theNational Wildlife Refuge SystemThe National Wildlife RefugeImprovement Act of October 9, 1997recognizes as law that the primaryfunction of a National WildlifeRefuge 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 allowedonly when the activity is compatiblewith the mission of the System andpurpose of the individual refuge.Wildlife-dependent activities such asfishing, hunting, environmentaleducation, photography, and wildlifeobservation will take precedent overother public use activities. Yourcooperation in obeying refugeregulations will help protect you, thewildlife and wildlife habitat. They areprinted toward the end of thisbrochure for your reference.
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National Key Deer RefugeNational Key Deer Refuge is locatedin the Lower Keys and consists of apatchwork of small and large tractsof pine rockland forest, densemangrove forest flooded by saltwater, hardwood hammocks andfreshwater wetlands. Most of therefuge is open to the public. Therefuge has three self interpretedareas––the Blue Hole, the JackWatson Wildlife Trail and the FredManillo (wheelchair accessible)Wildlife Trail. Refer to the map fortheir location. Also, visitors arewelcome to hike refuge fire roadsthat are open for access. There areadditional hiking trails on CudjoeKey, Upper Sugarloaf Key, LowerSugarloaf Key and the trail locationsthat are shown on the map.
Big Pine Key has extensive growthsof Florida slash pine, silver palms,thatch palm and poisonwood.Poisonwood produces an oil whichcan cause a rash to humans similar topoison ivy. To identify it, look fortelltale “burn” marks on the leaves.
Orchids, cactus, and air-plants add tothe rich variety of plants. At least 466species of plants have been found onBig Pine Key alone. Within the Key’sunderlying rock are natural solutionholes created by rainfall dissolvingthe island’s limestone substrate.
Poisonwood
The Blue Holeon Big Pine Key
Bromeliads inButtonwood tree
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These natural depressions act asefficient rain water collectors andhistorically have enabled the Keydeer to thrive on Big Pine Key whenother islands were dry.
The Blue Hole is an abandonedlimestone quarry. The rock materialremoved was used to build many ofthe original roads on Big Pine Key.Since there is no inlet or outlet to theBlue Hole, its existence is dependenton rainfall and from salt water whichflows through the surroundinglimestone. Fish, turtles, alligatorsand the occasional wading bird can befound in the Blue Hole. Alligators canoften be seen hugging the shoreline,lazily sunning themselves. Do notfeed or molest the alligators––it isdangerous and illegal! Access forthe disabled is provided.
Alligator
The Jack C. Watson Wildlife Trail is a2/3 mile loop through pine rocklandforest and freshwater wetlands. TheFred C. Manillo Wildlife Trail is an800-foot wheelchair accessiblepathway, ending at an observationplatform overlooking a freshwaterwetland. Both trail heads are in aparking lot located approximately 1/4mile north of the Blue Hole on KeyDeer Blvd.
All wildlife and plants on a NationalWildlife Refuge are protected.Endangered and threatened wildlifeas listed on the federal EndangeredSpecies List receives priorityprotection. This refuge protects the
Jack C. WatsonWildlife Trail
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endangered Key deer, Lower Keysmarsh rabbit and the silver rice ratto name a few.
Key deer are found on approximately30 islands in the lower keys. The Keydeer is the smallest sub-species ofthe Virginia white-tailed deer. Theywere isolated here about 4,000-10,000years ago when the Wisconsin glaciermelted and ocean levels rose,creating a chain of islands. They aregeographically and geneticallyisolated from other populations ofwhite-tail deer and have evolved andadapted to a subtropic environment.Because the Key deer population islow and remains under threat ofextinction from human interaction,the subspecies is listed asendangered, receiving protectionunder the Endangered Species Act.This increased human interaction ishaving many influences on the Keydeer and causing changes in theirbehavior. Feeding them causes themto congregate making them moresusceptible to disease. Loss of alarmand flight response makes the deermore vulnerable to harassment ordeath from dogs, cars, and poachers.
Key Deer
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Under federal and state law, it isillegal to feed or disturb endangeredor threatened species and refugeregulations prohibit feeding ordisturbing any wildlife on a NationalWildlife Refuge. The least obtrusiveway to observe wildlife whiletraveling along the roads is to remainfully within your vehicle.
If you are out of your vehicle orhiking on the refuge, do not approachwildlife, extend your arms towardsthem or attempt to call them to you.National Wildlife Refuges are havensfor wild animals. Please do not treatwildlife as pets or expect them tobehave as pets! For moreinformation about the Key deer, seethe refuge brochure Facts on the KeyDeer available at the refuge visitorcenter.
Also, protected are such wildlifespecies as the Eastern diamondbackrattlesnake, songbirds, wading birds,shorebirds and a variety of uniqueWest Indian plants. For moreinformation on birds of the Keys, achecklist, and suggested places toobserve birds, see the refugebrochure Birds of the Florida KeysNational Wildlife Refuges which isavailable at the refuge visitor center.
Top: EasternDiamondback; below:Turkey vulture
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Key West and Great White HeronNational Wildlife RefugesEncompassing numerous islandsknown locally as the Backcountry,Key West and Great White HeronNational Wildlife Refuges are amongthe oldest refuges in the nation.These areas were set aside for theprimary purpose of maintaining apreserve and breeding ground fornative birds. In contrast to the“main” Keys (linked by the OverseasHwy/US 1), the Backcountry, witha few exceptions, is a pristine,uninhabited area of islands scatteredamidst the biologically rich watersof the Florida Bay and the Gulfof Mexico. In 1975, Congressrecognized the special qualities ofthese refuges by designating manyof the islands as part of the NationalWilderness Preservation System,providing them with additionalprotection. Both refuges are of greatinterest scenically and scientifically,exemplifying a subtropical regionunlike any other part of the UnitedStates.
Peering westward from Key West,the southernmost point in thecontinental U.S., one gazes upon KeyWest National Wildlife Refuge. Thisrefuge was the first National WildlifeRefuge designated in the FloridaKeys. It was established by TheodoreRoosevelt in 1908 to curtail theslaughter of birds whose featherswere highly valued in the hatindustry. Wading birds werethreatened with extinction before thisrefuge began providing a safe havenfor them and other threatened plantand animal species.
Encompassing more than 300 squaremiles of open water and 2,019 acresof land on 26 islands, the refugeprotects habitat for a wide variety ofbirds, including nesting and/orwintering populations of terns,frigate birds, white-crowned pigeons,
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N0 1Miles
Km 1.60
BlueHole
Watson Blvd.
Key Deer Blv
To Key West
Big PineKey
Big Pine St.
KohenAvenue
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Visitor Center
Walking Trails
Hiking Trails
Deer Viewing
Wildlife Viewing
Refuge Lands.Look for Refuge Boundary Signs.
Private Property.Respect PrivateProperty Rights.
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Watson and Mannillo Trails
rvd.
WilderRoad
To Marathon
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No Name Key
No Name KeyWatson Blvd.
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ospreys and great white herons. Thesandy beaches are nesting areas forthe endangered Atlantic green andloggerhead turtles and is the only
breeding site inthe U.S. for theendangeredhawksbill turtle.
Great WhiteHeron NationalWildlife Refugeis a vast array ofpristine, isolatedkeys extendingmore than 290square miles ofopen water inthe Gulf of
Mexico from Key West to Marathon.Refuge lands total 6,297 acres. Thehabitats of these keys are almostwithout exception, low mangrovesand are not easily accessible.
Established in 1938, the refugeprovides permanent protection to thelargest of North America’s wadingbirds––the great white heron. Withlong graceful plumes, this colorvariation of the great blue heron isfound only in the Florida Keys andsouth Florida. The only knownbreeding colony of laughing gulls inthe Lower Keys also nest here aswell. Equally significant, the fewbeaches on the islands of this refugealso provide nesting habitat forloggerhead and green turtles. Themarine waters are habitat forleatherback and Kemps ridley turtlesand the occasional manatee. Thesewaters are vital nursery grounds forhundreds of species of fish andshellfish. The refuge also preservesthe scenic, wild character of theFlorida Keys Backcountry. For moreinformation about boating in thesetwo refuges, please obtain a copy ofthe Key West and Great White HeronNational Wild Refuges Backcountryregulations brochure.
Green andLoggerhead nestlings
Laughing gull
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Crocodile LakeNational Wildlife RefugeCrocodile Lake National WildlifeRefuge was established in North KeyLargo on April 2, 1980 to protect andpreserve critical habitat for theendangered American crocodile. Themangrove wetlands of the refugeprovide habitat, solitude, and theonly known nesting area on KeyLargo for this shy reptile. Mangroveforests fringing the shoreline alsosupport a wide variety of wildlifeincluding wading birds andsongbirds, as well as serving asimportant nursery habitats for manyfish species.
CrocodileThe refuge also protects a uniquetropical hardwood hammock, whichsupports a high diversity of plantspecies, 80% of which are of WestIndian origin. The refuge and theadjacent Key Largo Hammock StateBotanical Site contain the largestcontinuous tract of hardwood forestremaining in the Florida Keys.Nearly 100 species of native treesand shrubs can be found in thesehammocks, more than found in someentire states! These forests are hometo several endangered andthreatened species including the Key
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Largo woodrat, Key Largo cottonmouse, Schaus swallowtail butterfly,Eastern indigo snake and StockIsland tree snail. Hardwoodhammocks also provide importantseasonal habitat for migratoryneotropical songbirds and permanenthomes to colorful tree snails andbutterflies.
Due to the small size of the refugeand sensitivity of the habitat andwildlife to human disturbance, therefuge is closed to general public use.Access to the refuge for research andorganized educational groups is bySpecial Use Permit only. Aninterpreted butterfly garden is opento public access next to the refugeheadquarters. The garden and officeare located on County Road 905 inKey Largo, approximately two milesnorth of the US 1/C-905 intersection(Card Sound Road turnoff at milemarker 106.3). The public can visitthe self-guided nature trail located atthe Key Largo Hammocks StateBotanical Site adjacent to the refugeto see similar habitat and wildlifespecies. For further information,contact the Refuge Manger. Theaddress is found on the back cover.
Wildlife Management––Part Science and Part ArtWildlife management is not a purescience though management uses thebest scientific information availableat that time. Usually, the results arewhat is expected, however, notalways. Some techniques in wildlifemanagement are still experimental.However, learning comes fromexperimentation and changes aremade for the better. Also, a provenwildlife management technique usedin one area of the country may notwork in another area of the country.The first rule in wildlife managementis, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.Human interaction quite oftenchanges the balance of nature. Long
Gumbo Limbo tree
Key Largo woodrat
Schaus Swallowtailbutterfly
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before humans began manipulatingthe habitat in the Keys, habitat andwildlife evolved adapting to theforces of nature––wildfires and floodsfor example. Humans haveinterrupted these naturaloccurrences by suppressing wildfiresto provide a more comfortable life. Tocorrect this on the refuges of theFlorida Keys, managementtechniques such as controlledprescribed burns are used to mimicnatural wildfires. A side benefit tothis controlled burn is a reduction inforest fuels making a wildfire a lesserthreat to adjacent homes. Anothermanagement technique is to educateboaters about how to minimizedisrupting wildlife. Where publicopinion favors stronger action orwhen the need for stronger action isapparent, some public use activitiesmay be restricted if they disruptwildlife. Where restriction is notenough, then the activity may bebanned. For example, public opiniongenerated the banning of personalwatercraft from Key West and GreatWhite Heron National WildlifeRefuges.Prescribed burn
Key deer fawn
Natural History of the Florida KeysIt has taken 100,000 years forgeological, environmental, andphysical processes to set the stagefor the current natural environmentof the Florida Keys. Specific physicalconditions had to exist before thisregion’s biological communities couldbecome established and flourish intothe unique plant and animalcommunities that comprise thisintricate and dynamic ecosystem.During periods of warm climates, thepresent day Keys lay under thesurface of the ocean, flourishing attimes as coral reefs. When theclimate became cooler, polar ice capsgrew and the oceans receded toexpose vast areas of the sea floor.Terrestrial plants and animalscolonized what was a sea bed.
The sea level remained low untilabout 15,000 years ago when theclimate began to warm, releasingwater held in the ice caps and causingthe sea to rise. About 4,000 years agoislands were created in this area andresulted in what we call the FloridaKeys.
FLORIDA100,000 YEARS AGO
Sea-level 25 feet higherthan today’s level
Excerpt, courtesy ofthe Monroe CountyEnvironmentalEducation AdvisoryCouncil and theirpublication, theFlorida KeysEnvironmentalStory, GeologicalHistory of theFlorida Keys by EricMueller, PhD, andGeorge O. Winston.
FLORIDA20,000 YEARS AGO
Mean sea level 300 - 350 feetlower than what it is today
FLORIDA TODAYTerrestrial plants andanimals colonized what
was once a sea bed
Cultural HistoryThe Tequesta and Calusa nativeAmerican tribes arrived in SouthFlorida approximately 5,000 yearsago, but did not expand into the Keysuntil 800 A.D. There they remained,living off the land and sea for another1,000 years until European explorersdiscovered the Keys. The 18th centurysaw changes in ownership as theislands passed from Spain to Britain,back to Spain and finally to theUnited States. Enslavement andEuropean diseases greatly reducedthe number of Native Americans.Survivors fled to Cuba, resulting inthe loss of 5,000 years of prehistoricculture in the Keys. Over the next100 years, hardy Europeans,Americans, Cubans, and Bahamians,known as conchs, made their homesin the Keys. They survived bysalvaging wrecks, hunting turtles,sponging, rum-running, perfectingcigars, farming pineapples andlogging the hardwood hammocks.
In 1904, Henry Flagler extended hisrailroad service from Miami down toKey West and 20 years later, the firstever road-ferry route followed.During the depression of the 1930’s,the Federal Emergency ReliefAdministration (FERA) encourageda change toward a tourism-basedeconomy. The 1935 Labor Day
Women Key
hurricane swept into the Keys,destroying the Flagler railroad andkilling more than 400 people. By the1950’s, the Overseas Highway wasbuilt, followed by electricity, water,and better roads. In 1980, the newOverseas highway was completed,spurring a jump in development thatsignificantly increased the populationof the Keys over the next twodecades.
Calender of EventsWildlife viewing is available yearround. Visitors have opportunities tosee Key deer, alligators, turtles, birdsincluding great white herons andpelicans, lizards, and an occasionalsnake. Other birds migrate throughin October and April.
Spring - Key deer fawns, ospreys,wading birds, gulls and song birds.
Earth Day cleanup late April.
Summer - Key deer fawns and somewaterfowl.
Fall - Raptors, wading birds, gulls,and song birds. Guided walks.
September - Beach Cleanup Day
October - Florida Keys Birding andWildlife Festival, Fall migration andNational Wildlife Refuge Weekactivities.
Winter - Raptors, wading birds, gullsand songbirds. Guided walks andprograms. Volunteer meetings
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Public Use ManagementPublic access is permitted on almostall of the lands of National Key DeerRefuge, many of the beaches of KeyWest National Wildlife Refuge, andthe islands in Great White HeronNational Wildlife Refuge. For moreinformation on Key West and GreatWhite Heron National WildlifeRefuges, please obtain a copy of theKey West and Great White HeronNational Wildlife RefugesBackcountry Regulations brochureavailable at the visitor center.
In recent years though, largeincreases in the number of peopleliving and vacationing in the FloridaKeys has resulted in conflicts withwildlife and degradation of wildlands.By law, the primary purpose of aNational Wildlife Refuge ismanaging, protecting and enhancinghabitat for wildlife. Public use ispermitted so long as it is compatiblewith primary purpose of the refuge.Wildlife can best be viewed quietlyfrom a distance. If you observe aproblem on your refuge, please let usknow. Enjoy your visit to the FloridaKeys National Wildlife Refuges.
This sign indicates the boundary ofthe refuge. The Refuge Manager hasauthorized this area open duringdaylight hours to public access forwildlife-dependent activities
This sign means that there is NOpublic access permitted in the areabeyond this sign. Access is prohibitedto protect wildlife and habitat and/orto protect visitors.
NATIONALWILDLIFEREFUGE
UNAUTHORIZED ENTRYPROHIBITED
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORFISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
U.S.FISH & WILDLIFE
SERVICE
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AREABEYONDTHISSIGNCLOSEDAll public entry prohibited
Fishing on Key West andGreat White Heron NWRs
Environmental education
Wildlife and wildlandsobservation
Personal photography
Hiking on designated trails
Pets on leashes
Bicycling is permitted onrefuge trails and fires roads,except where prohibited, toprotect pedestrians.
Weapons are prohibited unlesscased and left in vehicles orboats. Discharging of firearmsis prohibited in the county except atauthorized ranges. Hunting is notpermitted in the Florida Keys.
The use of metal detectors tosearch for antiquities, artifacts,or treasure is prohibited.Cultural resources belong toeveryone. Removal for personal useprohibits the opportunity for anyoneelse to experience our culturalheritage.
Horses are prohibited onrefuge lands.
Bicyling is prohibited on theFred Mannillo, Jack Watsonand Blue Hole Trails.
Pets are prohibited on refugemanaged lands within KeyWest and Great White HeronNational Wildlife Refuges. Pets leavewaste that is a nuisance to visitorsand may attract fire ants and carrydiseases injurious to wildlife. Seeing-eye dogs for the visually disabledare permitted.
To enhance yourvisit, thefollowingwildlife-dependentactivities arepermitted:
To protect you,other visitorsand theenvironment, thefollowingactivities areprohibited:
Camping on Refuge lands isprohibited. There are nosanitary facilities and tentpoles on beaches can intrude intoturtle nests.
Fires on refuge lands areprohibited. Fires can startdestructive wildfires or destroyturtle nests.
No poles or pipes (such as beachumbrellas) may be stuck into theground. These can penetrateturtle nests and destroy eggs.
Feeding, injuring, molesting orremoving wildlife, or natural items isprohibited. Feeding is harmful towildlife and molesting an animal maycause it to attack. Bones are used bysmall rodents as a food source.Seashells are used as homes forcertain animals such as hermit crabsand help form beaches.
Disturbing, injuring or removingplants and shells is illegal. Plants arefood and shelter for wildlife and helpprevent erosion. Some plants arethreatened or endangered.Unauthorized removing increases therisk of extinction.
Introducing plants or animals ontothe refuge is prohibited. Exoticplants and animals compete forresources with native plans andanimals. Introducing additionalnative wildlife will also causecompetition with the local wildlifepopulations or may introduce diseaseor parasites.
Storing equipment or property onrefuge lands is prohibited.Abandoned property is unsightly andcosts taxpayers for its removal.
Commercial activity on refuge landswithout a refuge permit issued isprohibited.
Volunteers at Blue Hole Organized groups visiting the refugesshould make reservations at therefuge visitor center at least twoweeks prior to their visit.Reservations may be made by callingthe refuge visitor center at305/872 0774. Commercial activitiesrequire a month’s notice forconsideration and may only beconducted by the issuance of aSpecial Use Permit. To receiveinformation on how to apply for aPermit, contact the refugeadministration office by writing tothe address on the back cover orcalling 305/872 2239.
Volunteering––Doing the Keys a FAVORThere are many things you can do tohelp preserve and protect the Keysunique natural resources. One wayyou can help is by volunteering yourtime, expertise and services and byvolunteering with the Friends AndVolunteers of Refuges (FAVOR)––anonprofit organization that supportsthe National Wildlife Refuges of theFlorida Keys in fulfilling refugemanagement goals. If you would likemore information about FAVOR orvolunteering, contact:
FAVORP. O. Box 431840Big Pine Key, FL 33043-1840305/872 0774 - Refuge Visitor Center
