Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge - Florida - National Wildlife Refuges on Waymarking.com

Natural History:

Refuge occupies some of the most productive sea turtle nesting areas on Florida east coast.
Protects last 10 percent of unique sand pine-scrub-oak habitat remaining in Florida.
Provides habitat for 30 threatened and endangered species including the scrub jay and gopher tortoise.
Sand pine-scrub oak forest 232 acres, coastal dune and mangrove swamp 735 acres.
National Natural Landmark -- Reed Wilderness Seashore Sanctuary 173 acres.

Financial Impact of Refuge

Six-person staff.
110,000 visitors annually.
Current budget shared with Loxahatchee NWR ($2,088,700 in FY 05).

Refuge Objectives:

Maintain and restore diverse habitats designed to achieve refuge purposes and wildlife population objectives.
Maintain viable diverse populations of native flora and fauna consistent with sound biological principles.
Manage the natural and cultural resources through land protection and partnership.
Develop and implement wildlife dependent recreation and environmental education that leads to enjoyable recreation experiences and a greater understanding of fish and wildlife resources, with minimal impact to the resources.

Management Tools:

Monitor sea turtle nesting as part of Index Beach Program sponsored by Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Mechanical/chemical/biological control of exotic pest plants.
Beach renourishment.
Sand pine scrub habitat management.
Education /interpretation.
Law enforcement.

Public Use Opportunities

Trails.
Interpretive museum.
Surf fishing.
Beach use.
Observation platform.
Wildlife observation.
Photography.

NWR or Protected Planet Website: [Web Link] Point of Interest (POI): Birding

Visit Instructions:
Enjoy your visit, tell your story and post a picture.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   02/21/2024 mcmeunier wrote comment for it 01/19/2023 Casper&Aero visited it 09/29/2010 BONSAIRAD visited it

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