St. Marks

National Wildlife Refuge

1200 Lighthouse Road

St. Marks, FL 32355

E-mail: saintmarks@fws.gov

Phone Number: 850-925-6121.

Visit the Refuge's Web Site:

http://www.fws.gov/saintmarks

Seven rivers flow through the Wilderness saltmarsh of the beautiful

St. Marks NWR

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

St. Marks NWR, located 25 miles south of Tallahassee

along the Gulf Coast of Florida, is a well-known oasis of

natural Florida habitats for wildlife, especially birds. Natural

salt marshes, freshwater swamps, pine forests and lakes

provide a haven for wildlife and people.

Fishing, hiking, birdwatching, butterfly-watching, hunting,

and viewing the historic St. Marks lighthouse on beautiful

Apalachee Bay attract visitors from around the world.

Special events highlighting the refuge's coastal resources,

monarch butterflies, wildflowers and migratory birds

enhance visitors' opportunities to learn more about this

special place.

Established in 1931 for wintering migratory birds, St.

Marks NWR has a long tradition of excellent birdwatching.

There are over 300 species of birds recorded on the

refuge, with 98 species nesting on-site. There are 19

species of ducks and many hawks, falcons, and shorebirds

migrating through the refuge in the fall and winter. There

are 14 active bald eagle nests and the endangered least

tern and red-cockaded woodpecker also nest on the

refuge.

In the spring, the refuge is a showcase of colors as

songbirds migrate north through coastal oaks and shrubs.

Wildlife abounds on St. Marks NWR due to the wide

diversity of habitats, ranging from wilderness saltmarshes,

ribboned with tidal creeks, to rolling longleaf pine forests,

with swamps, sinkholes, and palm/oak hammocks in

between. Located in Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor

counties, the refuge spans over 43 miles of coastline and

supports 52 species of mammals such as the Florida black

bear and bobcat; 40 species of amphibians such as the

endangered flatwoods salamander, and 65 species of

reptiles.

Visitors may glimpse endangered loggerhead sea turtles

and West Indian manatees offshore by the lighthouse.

State-listed threatened and endangered plants are also

found on the refuge. St. Marks NWR's location also makes

it an ideal host for the natural marvel of the migrating

monarch butterflies in October on their way to Mexico!

Getting There . . .

St. Marks NWR is located 25 miles south of Tallahassee,

Environmental Education

Fishing

Hunting

Interpretation

Photography

Wildlife Observation

Learn More >>

The marsh and water management program

at St. Marks NWR includes water level

management in 1,500 acres of artificial

manmade pools (impoundments). In these

pools, salt water may be pumped into the

pools to control plant growth; burning is used

to reduce trees and other woody growth and

spot herbicide used for cattail control. Water

levels may be raised and lowered to maximize

resting and feeding areas for migrating

waterfowl and shorebirds. Dead trees, called

snags, are left around the impoundments

especially for perching and nesting hawks and

eagles. The refuge currently hosts 14 active

bald eagle nesting territories during the fall

and winter months.

The fire and forest management program

includes management for multi-age stands,

using the tools of commercial harvesting and

prescribed burning. Approximately 1/3 of the

fire-dependent habitats of the refuge are

burned each year,using both dormant and

growing season burns. Planting is used to

restore the historic

fire-dependentlongleaf/wiregrass ecosystem.

The endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker

prefers cavity trees among the old longleaf

pines where fire regularly occurs. The refuge

biologists survey and band both the young and

adult red-cockadeds and add artificial nest

cavities to increase the tiny population.

Pest animals include feral hogs, dogs and

cats. Pest plants include coggon grass, cattail

and Chinese tallow trees. Surveys are

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=41640

1 of 2 11/2/2011 12:10 PM
Florida. Take State Hwy. 363 through Woodville to the

intersection of State Hwy.363 and State Hwy. 267 (blinking

light at this intersection). Turn left onto 267 and drive 4

miles to dead end into U.S.Hwy. 98 (Coastal Hwy). Turn

left onto Coastal Hwy. and drive about 1/2 mile, cross over

the St. Marks River, and take your first right on Co. Rd. 59

(Lighthouse Rd.).

The Visitor Center and most public usfacilities begin three

miles down Lighthouse Rd. A 6.8-mile wildlife drive runs

from the Visitor Center to the old historic St. Marks

lighthouse on Apalachee Bay. Maps and other information

are available by calling 850-925-6121.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD

from a specified address:

Your full starting address AND town and state OR zip

code

Google Maps opens in a new window

NOTE: When using this feature, you will be leaving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

domain. We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You

should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing

content.

These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made

or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or

expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

conducted on nesting eagles,red-cockaded

woodpeckers, wading birds, pelicans, and

shorebirds. Population surveys are done

during wintering waterfowl season.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home Page | Department of the Interior | USA.gov | About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Accessibility | Privacy |

Notices | Disclaimer | FOIA

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=41640

2 of 2 11/2/2011 12:10 PM