Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Tidal creek off Dixie Mainline
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge Location in the United States
Location	Dixie County, Levy County, Florida, United States
Nearest city	Otter Creek, Florida
Area	53,000 acres (210 km2)
Established	1979
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge

The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge (often called LSNWR) is a special protected area in the United States. It's part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. You can find it on the western coast of Florida, about 50 miles southwest of Gainesville. It covers parts of Dixie and Levy counties.

This amazing wildlife refuge was created in 1979. It protects one of the biggest natural river delta systems in the United States. The refuge covers about 53,000 acres (214 square kilometers). It includes 20 miles (32 km) of the Suwannee River's mouth, called an estuary. It also has 20 miles (32 km) of coastline.

The Suwannee River brings lots of food and nutrients into the area. This, along with many islands and tidal creeks, creates a perfect home for wildlife. You can find animals like kites, bald eagles, manatees, sturgeon, deer, and turkeys here. They all find a safe place to live and grow in the refuge.

If you visit, you can enjoy watching birds and other wildlife. It's a great spot for wildlife photography and fishing. You can also go canoeing, hunting, or take a guided walk. There's even a wildlife driving tour being built, and several boardwalks and observation towers offer great views of the animals and their homes.

Wildlife in the Lower Suwannee Refuge

The Suwannee River and its surrounding areas are home to thousands of creatures. These areas include swamps, pine forests, cypress domes, tidal creeks, and large salt marshes. Many animals live here all year round. They feed, nest, and roam through the forests and swamps.

Animals Living Here All Year

Some common animals you might see include white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobcat, bats, alligators, raccoons, and river otters. These animals use the refuge for all parts of their lives.

Threatened and Endangered Species

The refuge also protects some very special animals. These include the Gulf sturgeon, Florida salt marsh vole, eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise, and wood stork. These species are either threatened or endangered, meaning they need extra protection to survive.

Birds of the Refuge

Many birds visit the refuge at different times of the year. The beautiful swallow-tailed kite, bald eagle, osprey, and prothonotary warbler are just a few examples. Dozens of shorebird species use the refuge seasonally. They then fly farther south for the winter. More than 250 types of birds have been seen here. At least 90 of these bird species actually build their nests in the refuge.

Coastal and Water Habitats

The refuge's untouched coastal salt marshes, tidal creeks, and tidal flats are very important. They are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world. These areas provide food for thousands of shorebirds. You might see sandpipers, dowitchers, American oystercatchers, ruddy turnstones, and plovers. Diving ducks also use these waters.

Wading Birds and Water Animals

In the summer, many wading birds arrive. These include the American white ibis, great egret, snowy egret, cattle egret, great blue heron, little blue heron, green heron, and tricolored heron. The limpkin and wood stork also forage here. Many of them feed along the Suwannee River. They often rest on the islands of the nearby Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge.

These refuges are also important nurseries for young fish, shrimp, shellfish, and sea turtles. In the river and its creeks, you can find freshwater fish. These include largemouth bass, Suwannee bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. The West Indian manatee and bottlenose dolphin are often seen in the Suwannee River. They also swim just offshore where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico.

Studying Wildlife

Scientists regularly count and study the animals in the refuge. This helps them learn about species like bald eagles, swallow-tailed kites, and amphibians. The University of Florida and the United States Geological Survey also do research here. They study animals like salt marsh voles and mosquitoes.

Human History at the Refuge

Map of the wildlife refuge

The refuge contains a very old human site called the Shell Mound. This mound is 9 meters (30 feet) tall. It is made of shells left by ancient people. Scientists believe it could be as old as 3,000 years. There are other signs of ancient human life found within the refuge too.

Managing the Habitat

Before the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge was created, much of this land was used for timber management. Large companies harvested trees here. In the late 20th century, efforts began to bring these areas back to their natural state.

Restoring Forests

Workers carefully thinned out some loblolly pine trees. In some places, they even cut down all the trees. The goal was to replant the area with native trees like longleaf pine and wiregrass. This helps restore the natural sandhill community. Scrubland habitat is also being improved. This is done in the high, dry sandy areas where it originally grew.

Protecting Wetlands

In 2001, a special agreement called a conservation easement was made. This protected the nearby California Swamp. This agreement helps to preserve the habitat throughout the entire area.

Using Prescribed Fire

Wildfires caused by lightning have always been a natural part of many Florida ecosystems. Many animals, like the Florida scrub jay, need fire to keep their habitat healthy. Today, many fires cannot be left to burn freely because of nearby towns.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service uses "prescribed fire." This means they intentionally set small, controlled fires. They do this to copy natural fires. Trained staff follow a specific plan. They create fire lines to control the burn. These fires help reduce dangerous fuels that could cause bigger fires. They also put nutrients back into the soil. And they control unwanted plants. The goal is to burn areas every two to five years. This keeps the habitat in the best condition for wildlife.

Water Management

Sometimes, the refuge manages water levels using structures like culverts. This creates extra seasonal habitat for wading birds. However, because of the tides, this isn't needed very often.