Refuge Facts:
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Skimmer Island | Kendra Pednault-Willett/USFWS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural History:
Refuge Objectives
Management Tools:
Public Use Opportunities
Questions and Answers Where is Matlacha Pass NWR? Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge is located in Lee County, Florida. It is located south of Charlotte Harbor between the eastern boundary of Pine Island and the western boundary of Cape Coral. The refuge currently includes 23 islands and is 512 acres in size. The nearest population center is the city of Fort Myers, located approximately 10 miles to the east. |
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Brown Pelican Hatchling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kendra Pednault-Willett/USFWS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Theresa T. Baldwin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Red-shouldered Hawk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Black-bellied Plover | Theresa T. Baldwin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How do I get there?
Access to the islands that make up the Matlacha Pass NWR is by boat only. Boaters should consult navigational charts and tide schedules before attempting to visit any of the refuge islands. Shallow back bay/estuary waters are difficult to navigate and damage to fragile seagrass beds is common due to boaters running aground.Where is the refuge closed to public uses? The Matlacha Pass NWR receives little public use, as most of the islands have no uplands and access is difficult in the mangrove areas. Occasionally, boaters visit some of the islands with uplands, such as McCardle Island, but mosquitoes are usually so numerous that visiting any of the islands is extremely uncomfortable. Skimmer Island, Lower Bird Island, Givney Key, Upper Bird Island and Lumpkin Island are all closed to public access due to fact that they are roosting and nesting islands for herons, egrets and pelicans. |
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West Indian Manatee | Theresa T. Baldwin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Contact Us |
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Patrick Martin, Deputy Refuge Manager |
Phone: (239) 472-1100 |
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1 Wildlife Dr. |
Fax: (239) 472-4061 |
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Sanibel, FL 33957 |
Email: dingdarling@fws.gov |
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