Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge overlays the property of the John F. Kennedy Space Center and provides a controllable buffer around the space operations center. Merritt Island NWR is composed of about 140,000 acres, half of which is marshes and brackish estuaries, the rest being pine forests and flatwoods, scrub oaks, coastal dunes and palm and oak hammocks. From the south end of Cape Canaveral Air Station to the north end of Canaveral National Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped beach on Florida's Atlantic coast: 43 miles.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge features seven distinct habitats in the transition between the subtropical and temperate climate zones. At different times of year you'll find more than 500 species of wildlife on the property, including 16 currently on the federal list of threatended and endangered species. You might also find 400 or more manatees in the waters in and around the refuge (particularly in the Banana River area). The shallow water marshes provide homes for clams, worms, crabs and various fish, all of which feed birds, raccoons, river otters and alligators. The marshes also attract hundreds of thousands of the millions of migratory birds who come to Florida every year for the winter. If you're interested in seeing what's happening in this type of habitat, the refuge offers a seven-mile auto tour through the refuge uplands and wetlands on the Black Point Wildlife Drive. Along that one-way drive you might stop and climb the observation tower for a great view over the surrounding wetlands and the lagoon where manatees often congregate. The Scrub Ridge Trail is a one-mile walk through scrub pine habitat, a place where you might see endangered species like the Florida scrub jay, eastern indigo snake and the gopher tortoise.

June and July see Kemps Ridley, Atlantic hawksbill, leatherback, loggerback and green sea turtles crossing the beach in the evenings to nest and lay their eggs above the high water mark. On average, there are more than 1,300 loggerhead nests alone on these quiet beaches. Other threatened and endangered species who use the property are roseate terns, wood storks, southeastern beach mice, piping plovers, Florida salt marsh snakes and American alligators.

To the south of Merritt Island NWR is the Cape Canaveral Air Station, to the north is Canaveral National Seashore. Between Merritt Island and the mainland to the west is the Indian River Lagoon. Public access is controlled in most of the area, especially before and during space launches from Kennedy Space Center. This is primarily a day-use only area, although certain organized youth groups are allowed to camp at times.

Crabbing and fishing are allowed (in accordance with Florida regulations, of course) in the open waters of Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, Banana River, interior lakes and mosquito-control impoundments but not within the bounds of the Kennedy Space Center security areas or along Black Point Wildlife Drive. There are five boat launches on the refuge and all boat launch operations are limited to those. In some areas, boat speed regulations are in effect to protect the manatees who are often just below the surface of the water.

Waterfowl hunting is allowed on 36,000 designated acres of the refuge from November through January, concurrent with the usual ducks and coots seasons established by the State of Florida. You'll need a state license, hunter safety certification and a refuge permit.

To get there: Get off Interstate 95 at exit 220 and take State Road 406 through Titusville. Cross the Indian River Lagoon. Near the entrance sign on the east side of the lagoon is a parking area with an information kiosk. The kiosk usually offers refuge brochures and maps. The visitor information center is another four miles to the east and offers restrooms, drinking water, interpretive exhibits, maps, books and information. There is also a 20-minute introductory video about the refuge available for viewing.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is administered as part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Admission is free.