Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife sanctuary in Lee County, Florida.
Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge covers approximately 538 acres spread across 31 islands thick with mangroves and tropical plants. The water between the islands features oyster bars and shallow zones, creating a complex waterway that requires careful navigation.
President Theodore Roosevelt created this refuge in 1908 to protect migratory birds and their breeding grounds in the Matlacha Pass estuary. This early establishment was part of a broader movement to safeguard Florida's natural habitats.
The refuge functions as part of the larger J.N. Ding Darling Complex and plays an important role in protecting local ecosystems. Visitors can observe how mangrove forests and wetlands provide habitat for numerous bird and fish species.
Visitors need a boat to access the refuge, and it is important to check navigation charts since shallow waters and oyster bars make travel challenging. It helps to learn about water depth and tidal conditions before heading out.
Fisherman Key, one of the islands in the refuge, was once home to fishing camps before the area became protected. Traces of these earlier settlements can still be spotted by observant visitors.
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