Each of the five aquatic preserves within the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves offers a unique visit of protected submerged state lands, healthy mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds and oyster bars. Southwest Florida’s subtropical climate is home to a variety of animals as well, in addition to migrating birds.
Along with the Guana Buffer Preserve, the Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve serves as the hub and headquarters of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR). The estuary and uplands of the Guana River has been a valued resource for centuries of human populations with many changes taking place over time.
AP Contact Information:
Matthew Anderson
772-448-5930
Matthew.R.Anderson@FloridaDEP.gov
Each of the aquatic preserves within the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves offers a unique visit of protected submerged state lands. The Indian River Lagoon is a lagoonal estuary with several small freshwater tributaries and a limited connection to the ocean through broadly spaced inlets.
Each of the five aquatic preserves within the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves offers a memorable experience visiting protected submerged state lands, healthy mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds and oyster bars. Southwest Florida’s subtropical climate is home to a variety of animals as well, in addition to migrating birds.
Fort Pickens is a rare taste of old Florida, and its undisturbed natural beauty makes it one of my favorite places to visit on the Gulf Coast." — former U.S. Representative Jeff Miller.
As an aquatic preserve manager, one of the most surprising things I’ve discovered is that I didn’t even know aquatic preserves existed until I started working at one. Growing up in Northeast Florida, I spent as much time as possible outdoors, always near the water. Yet, I had never heard of the Fort Clinch or Nassau River-St. Johns River Marshes Aquatic Preserves.
As the regional manager for Florida’s Big Bend Region, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the breathtaking Nature Coast. Designated as an aquatic preserve in 2020, this hidden gem just north of St. Petersburg is a sanctuary of life and adventure. From its vast seagrass meadows to the awe-inspiring tiger sharks, graceful osprey, playful river otters and everything in between, the Nature Coast is teeming with biodiversity.
It is a place of many appearances depending on the time of day and season, but regardless of the moment, Estero Bay is a nature lover’s paradise.
Each of the aquatic preserves within the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves offers a unique visit of protected submerged state lands. The Indian River Lagoon is a lagoonal estuary with several small freshwater tributaries and a limited connection to the ocean through broadly spaced inlets.