Introduction

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge was established in June 1989 under the authority of the Endangered Species Act to protect the Florida panther and its habitat. The refuge consists of 26,400 acres and is located within the heart of the Big Cypress Basin in southwest Florida. The refuge encompasses the northern origin of the Fakahatchee Strand, the largest cypress strand in the Big Cypress swamp. Florida Panther Refuge is located 20 miles east of Naples, Florida at the northwest corner of the intersection of Alligator Alley (I-75) and State Road 29. The refuge is due west of the Big Cypress National Preserve and due north of Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve and Picayune Strand State Forest.

Natural History of the Refuge

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge is located in the northern portion of the Fakahatchee Strand of the Big Cypress Swamp. Each month, 5-11 Florida panthers den, hunt, and roam within the refuge. Black bear, bobcat, white-tailed deer, Big Cypress fox squirrels and wood stork utilize the refuge. Large concentrations of wading and water birds feed, nest, and roost on the refuge. The refuge is composed of a variety of wetland and upland habitats including pine flatwoods, cypress strands and domes, wet prairies, tropical hardwood hammocks and hydric pinelands. Rare orchids and bromeliads are found throughout the refuge. The Native Orchid Restoration lab is located on the refuge. The goal of the lab is to promote the restoration of native orchids on public lands in south Florida.

Refuge Goals

• Provide optimum habitat conditions for the Florida Panther.
• Restore conserve the natural diversity, abundance, and ecological function of refuge flora and fauna.
• Conduct research, monitoring and evaluations to improve management of flora and fauna on the refuge and within the South Florida ecosystem.
• Develop appropriate and compatible wildlife-dependent recreation and environmental education programs.
• Promote interagency and private landowner cooperation for the protection and management of natural and cultural resources within southwest Florida.