• Intro
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• St. Marks
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• Wakulla
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• Panacea
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• Aucilla River
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• Visitation Info
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• Climate
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• Fees, Costs, & Rates
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• Federal Recreation Passport Program
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• Special Use Permits

 

North Florida Refuges Complex
Oil Spill Response

The North Florida Refuges Complex (St. Vincent and St. Marks NWR's) is working closely with local, state and national partners to stay informed on oil spill monitoring and clean up preparation.  At this time, all interested volunteers will be referred to the national hotlines (see below).  The U. S. Fish & Wildlife will post regular updates on the national website – http:// www.fws.gov.

• Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information – (866)-448-5816
• Report oiled wildlife – (866) 557-1401
• General media information – (713) 323-1670 or (713) 323-1671

 

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Welcome to St. Marks NWR

This unique refuge was established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. It is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It encompasses 68,000 acres spread out between Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor counties along the Gulf Coast of northwest Florida. The refuge includes coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven north Florida rivers, and is home to a diverse community of plant and animal life. The refuge also has strong ties to a rich cultural past, and is home to the St. Marks Lighthouse, which was built in 1832 and is still in use today.

 

St. Marks NWR Expanded Administrative Boundary

 

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Salazar Unveils Special Edition Duck Stamp Cachet Public Can Purchase to Support Gulf Wildlife Refuges

MEMPHIS -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar unveiled a special edition Federal Duck Stamp envelope, or cachet, which hunters, birding enthusiasts, stamp collectors and other conservationists, can purchase for $25 -- or $10 more than the cost of a regular Duck Stamp -- to help conservation efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. The funds will be used to acquire wetlands for inclusion in national wildlife refuges along the Gulf Coast.

“When the Dust Bowl of the 1930s destroyed many wetlands, our nation’s sportsmen lobbied Congress to support the creation of the Duck Stamp for wetland acquisition and conservation,” Salazar said. “Today, the wildlife of the Gulf Coast faces new threats – from the current oil spill to disappearing wetlands – that we must rise to confront. This special edition duck stamp cachet will provide hunters and other conservationists the opportunity to once again go beyond the call of duty by conserving disappearing wetlands for generations to come.”

“Duck stamps have been a conservation tradition since 1934,” said Acting Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rowan Gould. “Waterfowl hunters, stamp collectors, and wildlife supporters have been the mainstay of that tradition, but we need to expand that community to address broad-scale challenges such as the disappearance of wetlands, accelerated climate change, and other 21st century resource threats."
The cachet features a silk rendering of an award-winning photograph of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf Coast of Florida by David Moynahan and the 2010-2011 Federal Duck Stamp, which depicts an American wigeon painted by artist Robert Bealle of Waldorf, MD.

All migratory bird hunters must buy a $15 Federal Duck Stamp, formally known as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, each year in addition to state licenses, stamps and permits. The design of the stamp is determined by an annual art competition, and the stamps have become popular with stamp collectors and wildlife art enthusiasts as well as those who simply want to contribute to wetland conservation.

Since 1934, Federal Duck Stamp sales have raised more than $750 million to acquire and protect more than 5.3 million acres of wetlands, including habitat on hundreds of the 552 National Wildlife Refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories.

The public can purchase the special edition Federal Duck Stamp cachet from Amplex Corporation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s distributor, by dialing 1-800-852-4897 or at www.duckstamp.com.

Salazar thanked Bass Pro Shops for underwriting the first edition of the cachet and agreeing to market it in its retail stores across America and Canada.

Following the announcement, Salazar toured the Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge which is part of the Central Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge Complex and met with Fish and Wildlife Service employees to hear about their conservation projects and efforts.

Nearly $4 million in construction projects are underway at the complex under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including projects at Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge and Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge. These projects will provide a gateway for visitors and environmental education rooms for school groups, improve wildlife viewing opportunities, and improve energy efficiency.

Six other ARRA projects at the complex will help maintain wildlife habitat and provide improved recreational boating facilities for the public.

 

A Diverse Wildlife Refuge

St. Marks Unit: The St. Marks Unit of the St. Marks NWR is the location for the refuge head quarters and visitor center. A seven mile drive winds it way from the visitor center through fresh and brackish water impoundments and ends at the foot of the Apalachee Bay, near the historic St. Marks Lighthouse. Boat ramps, nature trails and a picnic area are located within this unit, and a road-side auto tour booklet is available for purchase in the visitor center. Uplands forests, forested swamps, fresh & brackish water marshes and a pristine salt water estuary ecosystem compose this unique area of Florida's Gulf Coast, making the St. Marks Unit a favorite for birders and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Federal entrance fees are in effect.

Wakulla Unit: Located off Hwy 98, west of the town of St. Marks, the Wakulla Unit of the wildlife refuge offers upland forests, palm hammocks, fresh and brackish water marshes and tidal beach access to the Apalachee Bay. This unit is open to quota-hunts during the fall and winter months, and it provides an ideal launching point for small boats year-round. Approximately 5.5 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail traveres through this portion of the refuge. No facilities. Use of launch point and access to trails are free to the public.

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Panacea Unit: The Panacea Unit is largely dominated by uplands pine and oak forests, with several fresh water lakes interspersed. Primitive walking trails criss-cross through this unit, and like the Wakulla Unit, this unit is open to quota-hunts during the fall and winter months. Located within the Panacea Unit is the Otter Lake Recreation Area, which offers picnic shelters, restrooms and a launching point for small boats, with a motor size limit of 10 horse power or less. About 6.5 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail traverses this unit of the refuge. The Panacea Unit is located west of the Wakulla Unit on Hwy 98, just inside the town of Medart, and along Hwy 319 south, toward the town of Sopchoppy. Use of picnic facilities, trails and launch point is free to the public.

Aucilla River Unit: Located along the banks of the Aucilla River, this unique area features a boat ramp and plenty of fishing opportunities for visitors. This area is currently managed by Taylor County in a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Aucilla River unit is located off Hwy 98, approximately 15 miles east of the town of Newport. Aucilla boat ramp are still subject to the user fee for Taylor County.

For more information on St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge write Refuge Manager, P.O. Box 68, St. Marks, FL 32355. Phone: (850) 925-6121 or email us at: saintmarks@fws.gov.

Click here for a map of the area.

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