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Aquatic Preserves

Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve

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Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve is located on the Gulf Coast in Naples. The preserve encompasses a portion of the Ten Thousand Islands region, extending south from Gordon Pass in Naples.

HISTORY

In the 1960s, with farms, buildings, roads and canals springing up across coastal Collier County, residents started to take notice that the once pristine bays and estuaries were showing the effects of development upstream. A 10-mile loop road through Rookery Bay proposed in 1963 would have opened up unbounded opportunities for coastal development. The Collier County Conservancy, the National Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy galvanized community support that resulted in more than $600,000 being raised to buy 3,362 acres of land that ultimately became the Rookery Bay Sanctuary. The Collier County Conservancy continued to buy and accept land donations to protect waters of Rookery Bay Sanctuary. Two thousand acres were purchased in the Ten Thousand Islands area for $245,000 and the land was presented to the State of Florida for protection. This area was designated as Cape Romano-Ten Thousand Islands Aquatic Preserve. Forty acres of land and buildings on Henderson Creek were also purchased and used to establish a Marine Research Facility at Rookery Bay. The Shell Point was acquired for $235,000, completely enclosing Rookery Bay. More land was bought near Rookery Bay and Cape Romano.

In 1976, the Conservancy won a three-year battle to deny permits to Deltona Corporation which would have destroyed 3,200 acres of Marco wetlands. In 1977, work was completed for Rookery Bay to be declared a National Estuarine Research Reserve. In 1984, the Conservancy orchestrated a land exchange after 14 years of negotiations with Deltona. Deltona swapped 13,000 acres of wetlands and islands surrounding Marco for equally valuable uplands. In 1988, Conservancy efforts led to acquire Cannon Island by the State of Florida.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunities

Team OCEAN is a group of dedicated volunteers focused on outreach and education for boaters, beachgoers and people fishing in Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve waters. They educate visitors about the importance of not disturbing nesting birds and retrieving fishing lines to prevent bird entanglement. Their boat-based activities allow them to interact with people across the reserve, especially on barrier islands where endangered birds nest.

Volunteers also assist with water quality monitoring, fisheries research, sea turtle nest monitoring and shorebird monitoring. Beach and mangrove cleanups are conducted throughout the year, often involving school groups and local organizations. Hundreds of volunteers contribute over 18,000 hours annually to the preservation and management of Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve, participating in various roles such as aquarium assistance, education and special events. 

To become a volunteer, please fill out a volunteer form and join us for a volunteer orientation.

Events

Please visit the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center to find out about all the special events and educational programs including a lunch & learn series, art reception nights, Festival of Birds, Rookery Bay Community Day, Wildlife and Watercolors Class, Birding with Biologists class, Photography Class, Forest Bathing and much more. The Friends of Rookery Bay offers guided-eco tours to get out on the water by boat and kayak. A variety of adventures are offered including Essence of the Estuary in the Back Bays, Barrier Island Shelling, Ancient Island Excursion, Sunset Bird Rookery Cruise and Sunset Beach Cruise. An ADA accessible boat is available as well.

Educational Opportunities

Rookery Bay offers educational opportunities for adults and local students. Rookery Bay partners with the Collier County Public School System for educational fields trips for students in grades 3-12. Students learn about the water, fish and research happening at Rookery Bay. Activities include seining with nets for marine critters; examining plankton under microscopes; and taking boat rides with partnering organizations to see wildlife, visit barrier island beaches and conduct boat trawling.

Community members can experience the Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve with the Friends of Rookery Bay’s eco tours via boat and kayak. Adventures include Essence of the Estuary in the Back Bays, Barrier Island Shelling, Ancient Island Excursion, Sunset Bird Rookery Cruise and Sunset Beach Cruise. An ADA accessible boat is available as well.

There is an Environmental Learning Center that visitors can come to and learn about the Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve and Research Reserve. Marine life exhibits are designed to look and feel like Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s natural environment with detailed rock formations and a variety of local marine life. In addition to self-guided engagement, docent-led programs are scheduled throughout the day.

The “Estuary Encounter” touch tank houses more than a dozen species of marine animals for guests of all ages to discover during regular visiting hours. Observe and hold a sea star, spider crab or lightning whelk. The Environmental Learning Center’s upstairs history exhibits showcase 3,000 years of human use in the estuary. A large topographic map on the wall depicts prehistoric and historic sites, a storytelling booth recounts memories of pioneer settlers and a tribute to the Children’s Column on Henderson Creek tells the story of how Rookery Bay was saved from development in the 1960s.

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve, like the rest of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, contains numerous prehistoric shell mound sites, predominantly on mangrove-forested islands and within coastal scrub and pine flatwood communities. These sites, dating back approximately 4,000 years to the Late Archaic period, offer a glimpse into the lives of early inhabitants, including the Muspa and Calusa peoples. Archaeological investigations have revealed artifacts like shell tools, pottery and remnants of settlements, suggesting the presence of complex communities.

In the early 1880s, the Little Marco Settlement was established between Naples and Marco Island, shortly after the Homestead Act began encouraging Americans to spread out across the country and carve out their piece of paradise. Located along the banks of Henderson Creek and Hall Bay, dozens of homesteads formed this waterfront community that pre-dated the City of Naples. People primarily made a living catching fish, harvesting shellfish and growing small plots of winter vegetables. These islanders laid their loved ones to rest in a central location on high ground on the mainland near what is now Shell Island Road. This historic cemetery is one of the unique cultural resources of the Rookery Bay Research Reserve. Modest shell tabby slabs identify some of the older graves, with the earliest marked graves dating back to 1888. Some graves do not have dated markers, while others may not be marked at all. The boundaries of this cemetery have never been officially documented and another site nearby is suspected of housing more unmarked remains, based on an oral account received from a family matriarch still living in the area.

Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve, situated on Florida's Gulf Coast, exhibits a diverse geological history influenced by fluctuating sea levels and the underlying Tamiami Formation. This formation, dating back to the late Miocene to Pliocene, forms the bedrock of the region. During the Pleistocene era, sea levels repeatedly rose and fell, leaving behind remnants of ancient shorelines known as terraces. Two prominent terraces in Collier County, the Talbot and Pamlico, provide evidence of these past sea level stands. The Talbot terrace, formed when sea levels were significantly higher, is evident in the higher elevations of the county. The Pamlico terrace, formed at a slightly lower sea level, also contributes to the county's unique topography. These terraces, along with the Tamiami Formation, shape the landforms and habitats found within Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve.

Near Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve is a thriving ecosystem of habitats including mangrove forests, uplands and protected waters. These interconnected habitats support an abundance of wildlife, including over 150 species of birds and numerous threatened and endangered animals. The preserve's mangrove forests play a vital role in maintaining water quality, acting as natural filters and providing nursery grounds for fish and shellfish. Uplands, comprised of hammocks and scrub, contribute to the ecosystem's diversity by offering shelter and foraging opportunities for terrestrial wildlife. This complex interplay of habitats underscores the importance of Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve in safeguarding the biodiversity and ecological integrity of Florida's Gulf Coast.

Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Type
Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve is part of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve’s 110,000 acres of land and water. It encompasses one of the only pristine, mangrove-forested estuaries in the United States. It also has marshes, open water and upland habitat. 

Nesting and Migrating Birds
American kestrel, osprey, bald eagle, turkey vulture, black vulture, short-tailed hawk, peregrine falcon, merlin, Cooper’s hawk, swallow-tailed kite, red-shouldered hawk, anhinga, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, great egret, white ibis, little blue heron, tricolored heron, yellow-crowned night heron, wood stork, roseate spoonbill, brown pelican, American white pelican, green heron, laughing gull, least tern, American oystercatcher, sanderling, black skimmer, royal tern, magnificent frigatebird, mangrove cuckoo, belted kingfisher

Mammals
Black bear, bobcat, bottlenosed dolphin, eastern cottontail rabbit, florida panther, West Indian manatee, river otter, wild pigs (invasive), white-tail deer

Fish
Atlantic spadefish, barbfish, bighead sea robin, black drum, code goby, crested goby, gambusia, giant rays, goliath grouper, goldspotted killifish, gulf flounder, hardhead catfish, inshore lizardfish, lane snapper, lined seahorse, lionfish, lookdown, orange filefish, pipefish, polka-dot batfish, pygmy sea bass, spotfin jawfish, sharks, smalltooth sawfish, smooth butterfly ray, snook, southern stargazer, southern puffer striped burrfish

Shells and Mollusks
Banded tulip, fighting conch, horse conch oysters

Crustaceans
Blue crab, calico crab, common snapping shrimp, ghost crab, giant hermit crab, mantis shrimp spider crab

Other Invertebrates
Brown spiny sea star, horseshoe crab, moon jelly, nine-armed sea star, pygmy sea cucumber, sand dollar, tri-colored anemone, upside-down jelly, veriegated sea urchin

A full list of species can be found in the management plan.

Conservation Efforts

Rookery Bay Research Reserve is here to protect 110,000 acres of land and water in Collier County for future generations to enjoy and experience. Rookery Bay Research Reserve protects and conserves land, water and wildlife through research, education, conservation and coastal training for decision makers, community members and local professionals.

Through research, Rookery Bay is leading the way for innovative conservation and land management practices — crucial for adapting to constantly changing environments. By monitoring the water, weather, plants and animals, Rookery Bay Research Reserve is helping scientists and government leaders detect differences before they become problems.

Rookery Bay’s education program is inspiring area students and teachers to be stewards of the coast as well as educating 50,000+ adults each year through visits to the Environmental Leaning Center eco-tours, classes, events and outreach programs.

Every summer, conservation staff members work to protect hundreds of sea turtle nests from predators, giving thousands of hatchlings a chance to reach the sea. Staff members also work on land to eradicate non-native, invasive plants and animals threatening Florida’s beautiful native wildlife — none more challenging than Burmese pythons. Rookery Bay Coastal Trainers educate community leaders, business owners and elected officials about connections between coastal science, management and the local economy.

Ongoing Research

  • Water Quality Monitoring: Rookery Bay Reserve has five water quality stations that measure various parameters every 15 minutes and collect monthly samples for nutrient analysis by Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
  • Sea Turtle Nesting Monitoring: Resource management specialists and volunteers patrol beaches to locate and protect sea turtle nests from predators during the nesting season.
  • Cultural Resource Management: Research Reserve staff document and protect cultural resources using a new GIS-based database, facilitating targeted research and the development of a comprehensive management plan.
  • Shorebird Nesting Monitoring: Least terns and black skimmers nest in mixed colonies at Rookery Bay Research Reserve, with data collected weekly during nesting season to protect these species and their habitats.
  • Marine Mammal Monitoring: Rookery Bay staff participate in the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, assisting with the rescue and rehabilitation of distressed marine mammals in collaboration with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other agencies.
  • Sentinel Sites: The National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System SSAM-1 at Rookery Bay NERR (RBNERR) monitors changes in sea level, inundation patterns and coastal vegetation using standardized protocols for cross-site comparisons.
  • Mangrove Research and Monitoring: The Fruit Farm Creek Restoration Project monitors ecosystem changes in collaboration with various scientific organizations to restore mangrove habitats affected by historic road construction.
  • Seed Banking with Naples Botanical Garden: A partnership with Naples Botanical Garden (NBG) aims to protect and conserve the RBNERR's flora by collecting and preserving seeds of underrepresented and at-risk plant species.
  • American Crocodile Nesting and Monitoring: In partnership with University of Florida Croc Docs, the small population of American Crocodiles at RBNERR is monitored annually to collect data and protect this threatened species.

Highlights

Nov. 24, 2024

Rookery Bay Interns and Many Staff Members Pitch in to Launch New Real Estate Agent Training 

Last week, RBNERR said goodbye to Roy Baker, Coastal Training Program (CTP) intern, after he successfully helped CTP launch Rookery Bay’s first official “Coastal Ready Real Estate Agents” environmental training series. Roy’s main role this summer was to manage and help craft the program aimed at educating local realtors about the coastal environment and some of the challenges and regulations Florida newcomers and potential homeowners face.

It was quite a project. A previous intern had completed semi-structured interviews with local realtors to understand what environmental topics were of interest to them and which would be useful to share with new homeowners. Roy helped take it to the next level working together with the entire CTP team to develop a three-session workshop series over the span of one month.

Special presenters included professionals from DEP’s permitting division regarding wetland regulations as well as local experts in hurricane preparedness, coastal flooding, water quality, flood insurance, erosion and more. The robust program culminated with a day on water for the realtors to see firsthand the beauty of RBNERR's protected waters as well as visit Keewaydin Island for a shell identification activity and discussion about the reserve’s wildlife and conservation efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

All year-round is great for viewing our diverse wildlife, and boating throughout the Cape Romano Aquatic Preserve. Bird-watching is great each season but during the winter months can bring a vast diversity of different species.

Yes. Please visit the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center to learn about all the special events and educational programs, including a lunch & learn series, art reception nights, Festival of Birds, Rookery Bay Community Day, Wildlife and Watercolors Class, Birding with Biologists class, Photography Class, Forest Bathing and much more. The Friends of Rookery Bay offers guided-eco tours to get out on the water by boat and kayak. A variety of adventures are offered including Essence of the Estuary in the Back Bays, Barrier Island Shelling, Ancient Island Excursion, Sunset Bird Rookery Cruise and Sunset Beach Cruise. An ADA accessible boat is available as well.

Yes. Aquatic preserves often are adjacent to other conservation areas that may have nesting birds or other easily-disturbed wildlife.  Please do not let your pet run free in areas not designated for pets, and please pick up after your pet to avoid hazardous pathogens in our waters. 

Follow current FWC saltwater fishing regulations.

Follow current FWC boating regulations.

Call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

ADA accommodations are specific to each access point and the managing entity for that site. 

Yes, there are fees associated with Collier County managed access points. The Rookery Bay Aqautic Preserve does not charge access fees. Donations to Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve are accepted through the Friends of Rookery Bay.

To become a volunteer, please fill out a volunteer form and join a volunteer orientation.

Partner Groups

  • Friends of Rookery Bay: A citizen support organization that helps with fundraising, volunteer recruitment, coordinates kayak and boat ecotours and assists with management of the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center.
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Co-manages a portion of Cape Romano-Ten Thousands Islands (CRTTIAP) within the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
  • National Audubon Society: Leases wetlands and submerged lands to DEP, which are managed as part of the reserve.
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Manages wildlife and fisheries within the reserve, including designated Critical Wildlife Areas.
  • Collier County: Maintains public boat ramps that provide access to the reserve.
  • Florida International University: Partners with the reserve, contributing staff and expertise.
  • Naples Botanical Garden
  • University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
  • United Arts Council of Collier County
  • Paradise Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Collier County Public Schools
  • Conservancy of Southwest Florida
  • Florida Forest Service
  • Conservation Collier
  • Florida State Parks and National Parks
  • Naples Chamber of Commerce
  • Marco Island Chamber of Commerce
  • WGCU Media
  • Tourism Publications of Southwest FL
  • Florida Gulf Coast University