Bird's eye view of the park

Estero Bay Preserve State Park

Bird's eye view of the campground

Loop EAST

Loop MIDDLE

Loop NORTH

Loop WEST

Pavilions

Koreshan State Park

The islands contain two basic vegetative zones, upland sand ridges and
mangroves. Several islands of the Matlacha Pass NWR are used as roosting and
nesting sites for a variety of colonial water birds including the brown
pelican, great egret, snowy egret, reddish egret, great blue heron, little
blue heron, tricolored heron, double crested cormorant and anhinga. The
beaches and shores provide loafing, feeding, and nesting areas for migratory
ducks, shorebirds, gulls, and terns.

Ospreys and bald eagles can be observed nesting and feeding in Matlacha Pass
NWR. Several endangered and threatened species benefit from the habitats
described including: wood storks, sea turtles, and manatees.

The islands contain two basic vegetative zones, upland sand ridges and mangroves. Several islands of the Matlacha Pass NWR are used as roosting and nesting sites for a variety of colonial water birds including the brown pelican, great egret, snowy egret, reddish egret, great blue heron, little blue heron, tricolored heron, double crested cormorant and anhinga. The beaches and shores provide loafing, feeding, and nesting areas for migratory ducks, shorebirds, gulls, and terns.

Ospreys and bald eagles can be observed nesting and feeding in Matlacha Pass NWR. Several endangered and threatened species benefit from the habitats described including: wood storks, sea turtles, and manatees.

Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge

Lovers Key State Park

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, on the subtropical barrier
island of Sanibel in the Gulf of America along Florida’s west coast, is part
of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. It is
world famous for spectacular migratory bird populations. The refuge was
established in 1945 to safeguard and enhance the wildlife habitat of Sanibel
Island, to protect endangered and threatened species, and to provide feeding,
nesting, and roosting areas for migratory birds. In 1967, the refuge was
renamed for conservation pioneer Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, who was
instrumental in its founding. More than 40 percent of the refuge is
Congressionally designated wilderness.

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of America along Florida’s west coast, is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. It is world famous for spectacular migratory bird populations. The refuge was established in 1945 to safeguard and enhance the wildlife habitat of Sanibel Island, to protect endangered and threatened species, and to provide feeding, nesting, and roosting areas for migratory birds. In 1967, the refuge was renamed for conservation pioneer Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, who was instrumental in its founding. More than 40 percent of the refuge is Congressionally designated wilderness.

J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

The refuge was established by President Woodrow Wilson on July 1, 1920,
through Executive Order 3299 as a ". . . preserve and breeding ground for
native birds" upon the recommendation of Thomas and Mina Edison. Originally,
the Caloosahatchee NWR consisted of several mangrove islands. However,
shoreline development, dredging of the river, and construction of the I-75
bridge has changed the physical arrangement and appearance of these islands.
Today, the refuge still remains approximately 40 acres of mangrove shorelines
and upland island habitats. The refuge is located adjacent to the Florida
Power and Light Company's Orange River Power Plant and the Orange River's
outflow. The warm water outflow from the power plant is a major wintering area
for the endangered West Indian manatee.

The refuge was established by President Woodrow Wilson on July 1, 1920, through Executive Order 3299 as a ". . . preserve and breeding ground for native birds" upon the recommendation of Thomas and Mina Edison. Originally, the Caloosahatchee NWR consisted of several mangrove islands. However, shoreline development, dredging of the river, and construction of the I-75 bridge has changed the physical arrangement and appearance of these islands. Today, the refuge still remains approximately 40 acres of mangrove shorelines and upland island habitats. The refuge is located adjacent to the Florida Power and Light Company's Orange River Power Plant and the Orange River's outflow. The warm water outflow from the power plant is a major wintering area for the endangered West Indian manatee.

Estero Bay Preserve State Park

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Nearby Parks

Koreshan State Park

Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge

Lovers Key State Park

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge