Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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 Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Florida
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Monroe County, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Key West, Florida |
| Area | 6,207 acres (25 km2) land, 123,980 acres (502 km2) water |
| Established | October 27, 1938 |
| Governing body | US Fish & Wildlife Service |
| Website | Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge |
The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge is a special protected area in the United States. It is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This refuge is located in a unique part of Florida called the 'Backcountry'. This area stretches from north of Marathon to north of Key West. It lies along the northern side of the Florida Keys, bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
This refuge was created on October 27, 1938. Its main goal is to be a safe home for great white herons. It also protects many migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge covers a huge area of 130,187 acres (527 km2). Most of this is water, with 6,207 acres (25 km2) of land. About 1,900 acres (8 km2) of the refuge are a special National Wilderness Area. This means it is kept wild and untouched. The refuge is managed along with the National Key Deer Refuge.
Plants of the Refuge
The islands within the refuge are mostly covered with mangrove trees. Mangroves are special trees that can grow in salty water. They have unique roots that help them stand in the water. These trees are very important for the ecosystem. They provide shelter for many animals.
Some of the larger islands also have different types of plant life. These include pine rockland areas. Here, you can find pine trees growing on rocky ground. There are also tropical hardwood hammock habitats. These are dense forests with many different kinds of trees and plants.
Animals and Their Life Cycles
The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge is home to many amazing animals. It is a vital place for several types of sea turtles. Hawksbill sea turtles are known to feed in the waters of the refuge. They use their narrow beaks to find food in coral reefs.
Other sea turtles also use this refuge for nesting. Loggerhead and green sea turtles come here to lay their eggs. Female turtles return to the beaches where they were born. They dig nests in the sand to keep their eggs safe. This makes the refuge a very important place for their survival.
