The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge is unlike other Refuges in that it was not established for the protection of a specific species, but in order to protect the high water quality of the historic Suwannee River. The flow of the Suwannee feeds the estuarine waters of the Gulf of Mexico, habitat for the Gulf sturgeon and feeding grounds for resident and migratory shorebirds, wading birds and waterfowl.

Latest News

Dozens of shorebirds wading in a coastal area with white sand, green vegetation onshore
Recreation
Why I Took These Shots #5
This is one in a series of articles in which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff members reflect on favorite photos they have taken at national wildlife refuges. It features deputy manager and wildlife biologist LARRY WOODWARD and two refuges in Florida.
University of Florida student researchers at Lone Cabbage Reef
Habitat Restoration
Studying shellfish
Cedar Key, Florida – Brad Ennis runs the airboat over the low-tide mudflats and between the barrier islands protecting the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. A fat raccoon traipses among clumps of cordgrass. Fog limits Gulf of Mexico visibility to 100 yards. “It’s been worse,” Ennis says. It’...
A small pond surrounded by leafy green vegetation, a few standing dead trees and verdant forest
Wildlife Management
Trapping
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service carefully manages trapping activities on national wildlife refuges to ensure that safe, effective practices are used, to ensure the sustainability of wildlife populations, and to protect refuge infrastructure. Trapping may be used as a wildlife management tool...
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Visit Us

The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge provides numerous recreation opportunities to its visitors every season of the year. People enjoy viewing the variety of habitats and diverse wildlife; whether paddling, driving, or walking.

All outdoor areas of the Refuge are open sunrise to sunset.
Areas behind the locked yellow gates are closed to driving but open to foot and bike traffic.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Located along the southern edge of the Big Bend Region of Florida's Gulf Coast, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect this riverine and estuarine ecosystem dominated by fresh and saltwater wetlands.

      What We Do

      Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect, maintain, enhance, and where appropriate, restore habitats along the lower reaches of the Suwannee River. The refuge also protects water quality and quantity through sound land resource management and cooperative relationships with state agencies that have jurisdictional authority over the water and aquatic resources therein. Further, the Refuge provides habitat for several Federal threatened and endangered species and species of special concern in the state of Florida

      Our Species

      The historic Suwannee River, featured in the song by Stephen Foster, is home to many native species like whitetail deer, gray fox, otter, eagles, and the endangered salt marsh salt marsh
      Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.

      Learn more about salt marsh       vole.  At the Lower Suwannee NWR, wildlife comes first!

      Bald eagle up close with wing raised

      A large raptor, the bald eagle has a wingspread of about seven feet. Adults have a dark brown body and wings, white head and tail, and a yellow beak. Juveniles are mostly brown with white mottling on the body, tail, and undersides of wings. Adult plumage usually is obtained by the sixth year. In...

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      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species

      Our Library

      Lower Suwannee General Information Brochure
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      Lower Suwannee General Information Brochure
      PDF
      Map of Lower Suwannee NWR with gates
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      Map of Lower Suwannee NWR with gates
      PDF
      Refuge Hunt Brochure Lower Suwannee NWR
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      Refuge Hunt Brochure Lower Suwannee NWR

      Hunt regulations and hunt dates

      PDF

      Get Involved

      The mission of the Friends of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges is to provide active advocacy and physical support for the successful stewardship of the Refuges.

      Friends of Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges 

      Projects and Research

      The Refuge’s initiatives are:  trails and roads maintenance for public access, law enforcement to protect the public and trust resources, supporting our Friends, Volunteers, and partners; bird surveys, forest habitat restoration, habitat management and the prescribed fire program; supporting a diverse array of wildlife dependent recreational activities, maintenance of public facilities like boat ramps and fishing piers, invasive species invasive species
      An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

      Learn more about invasive species       removal, and assisting FWS, state of Florida, university, and other partners on a wide array of projects.