Welcome to St. Johns NWR

ESTABLISHED: 1971
SIZE: 6,194 acres
OWNERSHIP: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

There is no public access to St. Johns NWR.

The St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge, located off highway 50 just west of Titusville, was established to protect threatened and endangered species and to specifically provide adequate habitat to recover the dusky seaside sparrow from extinction as directed by The Dusky Seaside Sparrow Recovery Plan. Channelization, interbasin diversion, and other flood control projects had significantly altered the habitat of the sparrow over the years and its numbers declined since its discovery in 1872. In 1967, the dusky was listed as Endangered by the Department of the Interior. In December 1990, the species was declared extinct and the critical habitat of St. Johns NWR was delisted.

 

PURPOSE

The St. Johns NWR was established in 1971 to provide protection for threatened and endangered species and native diversity. The primary purpose of the Refuge relates to threatened and endangered species and applies to all lands and waters managed as part of St. Johns NWR.

"...to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species or threatened species...or (B) plants..."                                                                   -- 16 USC 1534, Endangered Species Act

 

A secondary purpose focuses more on native diversity and also applies to a few tracts of the Refuge.

"...conservation, management, and restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans..."                                         -- 16 USC 668dd(a)(2), National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act

 

ACTIVITIES
The initial primary objective for St. Johns NWR was to restore the marsh to its original condition through prescribed burning and marsh restoration. The area has been closed to the public from the establishment date to eliminate human disturbance and provide habitat for its resident species. The habitat is currently managed for biodiversity through prescribed burning. A black rail research project initiated in 1992 concluded in 1996. The area currently has a healthy population of this very secretive species. Refuge management activities continue to focus on the application of prescribed fire to maintain and manage healthy habitats.

 

St. Johns NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan Update: Public Review and Comment The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is pleased to announce the release for public review and comment of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the St. Johns NWR.  This document outlines proposed management for the next 15 years for the Refuge.                               To View the Draft CCP and EA                               To View the Notice of Availability                               To View a Press Release The Deadline for Comments on the Draft CCP and EA is August 8, 2011 How to Submit Comments?      Email us at:  St.JohnsCCP@fws.gov      Fax us at:  912.496.3332      Mail us at:           US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2700 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA  31537 Questions?      Call Laura Housh, Natural Resource Planner, at 912.496.7366 x244.      Call the Refuge at 321.861.0667.