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Questions and Answers
What is there to see/do at the refuge?
The refuge has a visitor's center with a 20-minute video about the refuge, a short hiking trail, wildlife and habitat exhibits, and a staffed information desk. Four additional hiking trails, a 7-mile wildlife drive, a manatee viewing area, several boat launch areas, boating, fishing, canoeing, and wildlife observation opportunities also exist.Where is the best place to see wildlife?
The best place to see wildlife on the refuge is Black Point Wildlife Drive. The 7-mile, one-way loop traverses several shallow marsh impoundments and is an excellent place to see waterfowl (in season), wading birds, shorebirds and raptors. Alligators, river otters, bobcats, various species of snakes, and other wildlife may be visible as well. A self-guiding brochure, available near the entrance to the drive, will provide information on things to look for while on the drive. One to two hours after sunrise and one to two hours before sunset are typically the best times to view wildlife actively feeding in the impoundments.Where can we go to see an alligator?
Alligators are often visible in many areas of the refuge. There are three alligators that inhabit the freshwater ponds behind the Visitor Center. They can often be seen basking in the warm sunshine (especially on cool days), on dikes or banks throughout the refuge including Black Point Wildlife Drive. The road that leads to Playalinda Beach is also a popular spot from which to view alligators.Where can we go to see a manatee?
A manatee viewing platform located at the northeast side of Haulover Canal is the best spot on the refuge to possibly see a manatee. From this location, as many as 42 have been seen at once. Interpretive panels and a polarized viewer are available at the platform to provide information about these endangered species and enhance the viewing opportunity.How is it possible for wildlife to peacefully coexist with space operations and what effects do shuttle launches have on wildlife?
More than 130,000 of the 140,000 acres that make up the refuge are completely undeveloped. This means there are a lot of wide open spaces where wildlife can exist and not be disturbed or have encroaching development surround them. More importantly, by being purchased to function as a buffer zone for NASA, these wildlands have been protected forever from commercial development as can be seen all along the Atlantic Coast of Florida. NASA operational areas actually have minimal effects on refuge wildlife. During shuttle launches, short term disturbance occurs in nearby areas including some impoundments. The disturbance is short-lived and the only common wildlife fatalities are small minnows that inhabit the shallow bodies of water in the path of the launch.
