Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
Map of Florida | |
Location | Palm Beach County, Florida, United States |
Nearest city | Boynton Beach, Florida |
Coordinates | 26°30′30″N 80°20′00″W / 26.50833°N 80.33333°W |
Area | 145,188 acres (587.55 km2) |
Established | 1951 |
Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Website | Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge |
The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is a 145,188-acre (587.55 km2) wildlife sanctuary[1] is located west of Boynton Beach, in Palm Beach County, Florida.[2] It is also known as Water Conservation Area 1 (WCA-1). It includes the most northern remnant of the historic Everglades wetland ecosystem.[1][3]
Bordering the
Overview
The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is located seven miles west of the city of
Controversy
In 2016, the
Management activities
According to the
Features
Loxahatchee NWR is one of over 500
Not quite all of the 145,188-acre (587.55 km2) refuge is Everglades marsh habitat. A 400-acre (1.6 km2) bald cypress swamp is the largest remaining remnant of a cypress strand that once separated the pine flatwoods in the east from the Everglades marshes. A boardwalk into the swamp gives the visitor a chance for an up-close swamp experience without getting their feet wet. Hurricane Wilma damaged the refuge in October 2005, and the administration building was condemned. The Lee Road fishing pier was damaged by Hurricane Irma and will remain closed until further notice.[9]
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Sign at Hillsboro Area trailhead
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Visitor Center at Boynton Beach
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Zebra Longwingat the butterfly garden
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American white ibis by the boardwalk
- Conservation
Despite all of its treasures, the refuge is in serious danger of quickly becoming an exclusive haven for invasive plants, especially the broad-leaved paper bark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), both rapidly growing non-native species, which are quickly overgrowing the native flora and are likely not compatible with the native wildlife.
Park Activities
The refuge allows multiple activities in the park such as, fishing, hunting, hiking and also offers guided tours.[10] Fishing is allowed in only three areas of the refuge which are Hillsboro, Headquarters and the 20-mile bend. All fishermen must also carry a valid fishing license in the state of Florida.[11] There are also over 16 different species of fish present within the refuge that are able to be caught. Hunting is allowed within the refuge to manage wildlife populations. It is one of 330 refuges open to the population for hunting.[12] Waterfowl hunting is permitted in the late fall and early winter months. All hunters are required to possess a valid Florida State Hunting License[13] and a Florida State Duck Stamp.[14] Alligator hunting is only available by permit from the state of Florida. There are also numerous hiking trails throughout the refuge. One is a bald cypress swamp boardwalk that is located directly behind the visitor center. The others are accessible through the Lee Road parking lot. The refuge also offers guided tours throughout the year. They offer, canoe tours, night walks and tram tours by reservation only.[15]
See also
References
- ^ a b "About the Refuge - Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
- ^ Walker, T. "Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, a Florida natlwild located near Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Deerfield Beach". www.stateparks.com. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
- ^ "Water Conservation Area 1". Duke University Wetland Center.
- ^ "Water Conservation Area 1" (PDF). Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
- ^ a b "U.S. Fish and Wildlife -- Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge -- Overview".
- ^ "SFWMD Governing Board Adopts Statement of Principles". SWMD. South Florida Water Management District.
- ^ Miller, Kimberly. "Water managers ready to keep wildlife refuge open even if feds evicted".
- ^ Smart, Gil. "Gil Smart: Loxahatchee battle a dispute over money...and maybe more". TCPalm. TCPalm.
- ^ "Boat ramps, canoe trail and fishing pier closures - Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Visitor Activities - Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission". myfwc.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Hunting - Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Recreational Hunting & Fishing Licenses & Permits". myfwc.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Migratory birds and waterfowl". myfwc.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Calendar of Events - Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
External links
- Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
- Friends of Loxahatchee
- The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation
- The Everglades Trail
- Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Passes & Permits - official pass / permit purchase site