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Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Florida
Merritt Island's pristine beaches, coastal wetlands, and mangrove-lined estuaries teem with wildlife, including 16 threatened or endangered species. Designated a buffer zone for nearby NASA in the late 1950s, this windswept barrier island is ringed with dunes and provides sanctuary for 1,045 species of plants and 310 species of bird. Sea turtles lay their eggs here, oysters, clams, shrimp, and crabs flourish, and snowy egrets, southern bald eagles, West Indian manatees, peregrine falcons, and eastern indigo snakes find a safe home.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 6504
Titusville, FL 32782-6504
(407) 861 -0667 |
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Native Americans, attracted by the island's temperate climate and abundant water life, were the first to settle. Spanish colonists claimed the land in the 16th century, followed by Britain in the 18th century, but obdurate Indians and overwhelming saltmarsh mosquitoes made the area less than welcoming. Some development occurred in the 19th century with the planting of orange groves, but their eventual failure left the island in its natural state once again. Today the land is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with NASA. It comprises 24 miles of undeveloped beach and wetlands and over 57,600 acres.
| Size: 24 miles of undeveloped beach and wetland enviroment, over 57,600 acres Ecosystem: Coastal wetlands offering sanctuary to over 1,000 species of plants; 300 species of birds including 14 threatened or endangered species; and endangered sea turtles and manatees Features: Long primitive beaches, mangrove lined estuaries Activities: Hiking, Estuary Paddling, Backcountry Camping, Horseback Riding, Surfing, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing, Scenic Drive |
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