J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, on the subtropical barrier
island of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico 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 Mexico 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.

Bird's eye view of the park

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

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

Estero Bay Preserve State Park

The Pine Island NWR is located on the southwest coast of Florida, north of
Sanibel Island in the Pine Island Sound. It is administered as part of the
J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR. The refuge was established by President Theodore
Roosevelt through Executive Order 939 in 1908 to protect the thousands of
herons, egrets, and pelicans that were being hunted to support the plume trade
in the early 1900's. The refuge has also been designated as a Florida State
Aquatic Preserve. The 500-acre refuge has been expanded to over 17 islands and
consists of densely forested red and black mangroves with little uplands
habitat. Indian shell mounds located on Benedict Island show evidence of
Calusa Indians once inhabiting the area at the time of European exploration.
Several of the islands, including Hemp Island and Bird Key, are important
nesting and roosting areas for colonial birds, particularly the Brown pelican.
Raccoons are the primary mammal found on the islands and dolphins and manatees
can be seen in the surrounding waters. Small colonies of gopher tortoises may
be found on some of the larger islands. Endangered and threatened species
include bald eagles, wood storks, sea turtles and manatees.

The Pine Island NWR is located on the southwest coast of Florida, north of Sanibel Island in the Pine Island Sound.  It is administered as part of the J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR.  The refuge was established by President Theodore Roosevelt through Executive Order 939 in 1908 to protect the thousands of herons, egrets, and pelicans that were being hunted to support the plume trade in the early 1900's.  The refuge has also been designated as a Florida State Aquatic Preserve.



The 500-acre refuge has been expanded to over 17 islands and consists of densely forested red and black mangroves with little uplands habitat.  Indian shell mounds located on Benedict Island show evidence of Calusa Indians once inhabiting the area at the time of European exploration. Several of the islands, including Hemp Island and Bird Key, are important nesting and roosting areas for colonial birds, particularly the Brown pelican.  Raccoons are the primary mammal found on the islands and dolphins and manatees can be seen in the surrounding waters.



Small colonies of gopher tortoises may be found on some of the larger islands.  Endangered and threatened species include bald eagles, wood storks, sea turtles and manatees.

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

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Nearby Parks

Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge

Estero Bay Preserve State Park

Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge

Lovers Key State Park

Cayo Costa State Park

Koreshan State Park