Refuge Facts

• Established: 1984.
• Acres: 327.
• Location: the refuge is located at the southwest end of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, just south of Frederiksted.
• Administered under Caribbean Island NWR office.

Natural History

• Sandy Point has the longest beach in the Virgin Islands.
• It also hosts the largest nesting population of leatherback sea turtles (largest sea turtle in the world) under United States jurisdiction.
• The peninsula that forms the refuge has stable geologic formations, but the beach is highly dynamic.
• Plant diversity is low because of salt stress.

Financial Impact of Refuge

• Two-person permanent staff, three-person seasonal staff.
• 11,000 visitors annually.

Refuge Objectives

• To provide habitat and protection for threatened and endangered species, with particular emphasis on the leatherback sea turtle.
• To foster a sense of public commitment and understanding for sea turtles and the need for protection by providing opportunities for environmental education, interpretation, and compatible wildlife-oriented recreation.
• To support the Service’s commitment to implement and carry out sea turtle recovery plans.
• To provide habitat for a natural diversity of plant and wildlife species.

Management Tools

• Law enforcement.
• Wildlife surveys.
• Environmental education.

Public Use Opportunities

Hiking, wildlife observation, and nature photography (the refuge is open 10:00 am-4:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, closed during peak turtle nesting season)

 

Mission:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission is, working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are the only agency of the U.S. Government with that primary mission.

The Service helps protect a healthy environment for people, fish and wildlife, and helps Americans conserve and enjoy the outdoors and our living treasures. The Service's major responsibilities are for migratory birds, endangered species, certain marine mammals, and freshwater and anadromous fish.