Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1962 and has since
served as a premier nesting, foraging, and wintering habitat for many species
of wildlife. Signature species include wood storks, which nest in a large
colony on Woody Pond, and the colorful and uncommon painted bunting, which
favors nesting habitat in the refuge's maritime scrub areas. The refuge
encompasses six man-made freshwater ponds, as well as extensive salt marsh,
open fields, forested wetlands, and mixed hardwood/pine forest. This diversity
of habitat makes the refuge an important resource for migratory birds (342
species of birds have been seen on the refuge and 83 species breed here).

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1962 and has since served as a premier nesting, foraging, and wintering habitat for many species of wildlife.  Signature species include wood storks, which nest in a large colony on Woody Pond, and the colorful and uncommon painted bunting, which favors nesting habitat in the refuge's maritime scrub areas.  The refuge encompasses six man-made freshwater ponds, as well as extensive salt marsh, open fields, forested wetlands, and mixed hardwood/pine forest.  This diversity of habitat makes the refuge an important resource for migratory birds (342 species of birds have been seen on the refuge and 83 species breed here).

Bird's eye view of the park

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Blackbeard Island was acquired by the U.S. Navy at public auction in 1800 as a
source of live oak timber for shipbuilding. A Presidential Proclamation in
1940 changed its designation from Blackbeard Island Reservation to Blackbeard
Island National Wildlife Refuge. In 1975, over half of the refuge was
designated as National Wilderness. The primary purpose of the refuge is to
maintain and enhance habitat for migratory birds, nesting sea turtles, and
other wildlife, and to preserve and protect this unique barrier island. Over
half of the refuge is comprised of wetlands including both saltwater and
freshwater marsh. Refuge uplands include maritime forest and miles of pristine
sand beaches which attract hundreds of nesting loggerhead sea turtles every
summer. Blackbeard Island NWR is one of seven refuges administered by the
Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex which is headquartered at the Savannah NWR
Visitor Center in Hardeeville, South Carolina.

Blackbeard Island was acquired by the U.S. Navy at public auction in 1800 as a source of live oak timber for shipbuilding. A Presidential Proclamation in 1940 changed its designation from Blackbeard Island Reservation to Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge. In 1975, over half of the refuge was designated as National Wilderness. The primary purpose of the refuge is to maintain and enhance habitat for migratory birds, nesting sea turtles, and other wildlife, and to preserve and protect this unique barrier island. Over half of the refuge is comprised of wetlands including both saltwater and freshwater marsh. Refuge uplands include maritime forest and miles of pristine sand beaches which attract hundreds of nesting loggerhead sea turtles every summer.  Blackbeard Island NWR is one of seven refuges administered by the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex which is headquartered at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center in Hardeeville, South Carolina.

Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge

Located midway on the Georgia coastline on the eastern fringe of McIntosh
County, Sapelo Island is defined by the Sapelo River to the north, the waters
of Doboy Sound to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Duplin
River to the west. The 16,500 acre island is the 4th largest barrier island in
the State of Georgia. Sapelo Island is accessed by means of a scheduled public
ferry.  
  
The Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve (SINERR), located on the
western perimeter of Sapelo, is dedicated to research, education, stewardship,
and sound management of coastal resources in Georgia. Specifically, we focus
on the natural, cultural, and historical resources of Sapelo Island and the
Duplin River estuary.

Located midway on the Georgia coastline on the eastern fringe of McIntosh County, Sapelo Island is defined by the Sapelo River to the north, the waters of Doboy Sound to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Duplin River to the west. The 16,500 acre island is the 4th largest barrier island in the State of Georgia. Sapelo Island is accessed by means of a scheduled public ferry. 

The Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve (SINERR), located on the western perimeter of Sapelo, is dedicated to research, education, stewardship, and sound management of coastal resources in Georgia. Specifically, we focus on the natural, cultural, and historical resources of Sapelo Island and the Duplin River estuary.

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge

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Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge

Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve