Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we ask that you Recreate Responsibly.

  • Check local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information.
  • Operations vary based on local public health conditions.
  • Consistent with CDC recommendations, people who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick and continue to watch for symptoms of COVID-19 and follow CDC guidance on how to protect yourself and others.


Features

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    Where Wildlife Comes First

    National Wildlife Refuges are managed for wildlife and habitat and to ensure future generations will always have wild places to explore!

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    View the Sea Turtle Nest Updates

    Check out the latest numbers of sea turtle nests on Archie Carr NWR beaches!

    Sea Turtle Nest Update

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    Volunteers Needed!

    Close to 38,000 people volunteer with the US Fish and Wildlife Service annually. Wouldn't you like to be one of those?

    Get Involved

Sea Turtles

Proposed Predator Control Plan for Archie Carr and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuges

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to develop a Predator Control Plan for Archie Carr and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). This plan is a step-down from the Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) developed for the refuges in 2006 (Pelican Island) and 2008 (Archie Carr). Consultation was initiated for both CCPs during those timeframes. The development for this plan falls under the CCP actions.

Learn full details here . . .

Sea Turtles

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While sea turtles are threatened with extinction throughout the world, the Archie Carr NWR hosts the largest nesting population of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles in the U.S., with a quarter of all loggerhead sea turtle nests and a third of all green sea turtle nests.

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Found Wildlife?

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Have you found a baby bird in your yard? See an injured bird on the road? Raccoons in your attic? Stranded or hurt sea turtle?

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Dr. Archie Carr

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The Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research (ACCSTR) at the University of Florida was established as a Center of Excellence in 1986 by the University Board of Regents of the State of Florida in recognition of the outstanding achievements and pioneering research of the late Archie Carr and the University of Florida’s international reputation in the field of sea turtle research.

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Come visit us!

Sea Turtle Watch Programs

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Sea turtle nesting season on our beaches is from June - October. The best time to view sea turtles nesting is in June and July when guided, night-time sea turtle watch programs are offered. The best time to see hatchlings emerge from their nest is during our turtle dig programs offered in August and early September.

Sea Turtle Watch Programs

About the Complex

Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

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The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
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