Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve

ANERR contains 50 known archaeological sites, primarily prehistoric shell middens located along the shoreline. Additional archaeological sites include a turpentine camp, lighthouses and a historic shipwreck. Appendix B.5 of Apalachicola NERR Management Plan provides a list of archaeological and historical sites associated with ANERR, which encompasses the Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve.

The Apalachicola Bay is situated within a geological depression formed between the Ocala and Chattahoochee uplifts. The coastline of the bay is characterized by Pleistocene marine sands near the river mouth and Pliocene sands further north. The Apalachicola River played a significant role in shaping the bay's coastline during the late Tertiary and Quaternary periods. Subsequently, waves and longshore drift have further modified the coastline's features. The current configuration of the bay system, less than 10,000 years old, highlights the dynamic geological processes that have shaped this coastal environment. 

Apalachicola Bay boasts a rich and diverse ecosystem, supporting a wide array of habitats and wildlife. The dominant natural communities include seagrass beds, vital mollusk reefs and unconsolidated substrates that provide a foundation for a complex food web. Salt marshes fringe much of the reserve, acting as a crucial transition zone between aquatic and terrestrial environments. This estuarine environment serves as a significant nursery ground for the Gulf of America, nurturing various species of fish and shellfish. Notably, over 95% of commercially harvested species and 85% of recreationally harvested species in the open Gulf spend a portion of their life cycle in estuarine waters like Apalachicola Bay. This interconnectedness highlights the ecological significance of preserving the bay's health. ANERR and the surrounding drainage basin contain barrier islands, as well as estuarine, riverine, floodplain and upland environments. The many habitats found within these environments support a wide range of plant and animal species.

Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Type
Floodplain marsh, floodplain swamp, scrubby flatwoods, coastal grasslands, scrub, coastal interdunal swale, shell mound, marine unconsolidated substrate, beach dune, salt marsh, wet flatwoods, mesic flatwoods, estuarine unconsolidated tidal/subtidal substrate, depression marsh, oyster reefs, seagrass, alluvial stream, blackwater stream.

Nesting and Migrating Birds
ANERR and surrounding drainage basin are among the most important bird habitats in the southeastern United States. Species include the state-listed threatened American oystercatcher, black skimmer, least tern, and snowy plover along with the Wilson’s plover, Caspian tern, royal tern, sandwich tern and brown pelican.

Mammals
ANERR is home to more than 50 species, including the Florida black bear, the endangered West Indian manatee, the Indiana bat and the gray bat.

Reptiles
The Apalachicola River drainage basin contains the highest diversity of amphibians and reptiles in the United States and Canada. Species include the southern dusky salamander, the gopher frog, Barbour’s map turtle, Atlantic loggerhead turtle, Apalachicola kingsnake and eastern indigo snake.

Fish
The species found within the Apalachicola River system include four endemic species such as shoal bass, Apalachicola redhorse, greater jumprock, bluestripe shiner and diadromous fish such as the Gulf sturgeon and American eel. Common estuarine and marine species that are of local importance commercially include striped mullet, speckled trout, menhaden, red drum, flounders and sharks.

Invertebrates: Oysters, blue crabs, shrimp, snails

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

Year-round

The Apalachicola Reserve offers self-guided tours of our Nature Center and boardwalks. The Coastal Training Program offers a Stewardship Series of courses. These courses focus on an ecosystem studies program that help residents and visitors learn about the ecology of our area and what they can do to keep our estuary healthy.  

Turtle Talk Tuesdays — June-August each year; Come join us to learn more about our nesting sea turtle population and how you can share the beaches with these magnificent animals while creating as little disturbance as possible.

Virtual Sci-Cafe' Series — Various topics are presented on the fourth Thursday of each month. Please visit the Friends of the Reserve website for the schedule and more information. 

Yes. The Reserve is 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 coastal waters. Pets are not allowed inside the Nature Center building, but are welcome on the boardwalks, trails and at Millender Park.

Follow current FWC saltwater fishing regulations.

Follow current FWC freshwater 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. 

You can support ANERR through donations at the Nature Center as well as by joining the Friends of the Reserve.