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The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is
located about 25 miles south of Tallahassee. Its four units (St
Marks, Wakulla, Panacea, and Aucilla River) cover about 70,000 acres
in Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties.
 Established in1931 as a
wintering habitat for migratory birds, St. Marks is one of the
oldest refuges in the system. With its diversity of upland and
wetland ecosystems and associated plant and animal life, the St
Marks Refuge is a naturalist’s paradise. Human history has also left
its mark on the area. Paleo-Indians occupied the region over 10,000
years ago. Spaniards explored the area in the early1500s and
established a port and a fort to protect it in the 1600s. The St
Marks lighthouse was built in 1831 and is still in use today. The
wealth of natural resources provided early residents with
 many
different revenue sources including salt works, timber, turpentine
and grazing land. It is a place you could spend your entire life
exploring and never run out of new and exciting discoveries. But
even if you have just one day, don’t miss this national treasure.Each of the refuge’s units offers a wide range of outdoor activities from hiking and bird watching to hunting and fishing. Many of the trails are open to bicycles and horses, too. Boating, canoeing and kayaking are also popular in the reserve. Because of the size of the reserve and regulations that change depending on varying  circumstances, it is best to check with the reserve before setting
out on your adventure. As with all outdoor activities, remember that
you are going to be exposed to the elements. Sun exposure and biting
insects can turn a great experience into a miserable one, so be
prepared.A wealth of information is available at the refuge headquarters and visitor center on Lighthouse Road at the St Marks Unit and online at http://www.fws.gov/saintmarks. |
Photo Gallery A Trip to the Lighthouse and Visitor Center |
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Copyright ©2008 North Florida Naturalist.com |
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