Ducks Unlimited (DU), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is pleased to announce the completion of the 1,307-acre expansion of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Located near the refuge entrance on Lighthouse Road, the undeveloped tract includes wetlands, forested uplands, and 1.2 miles of frontage along the St. Marks River. This addition represents an important conservation milestone for one of the nation’s oldest national wildlife refuges.
The property has long been a priority addition for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2021, DU purchased the tract with support from a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant, helping secure the property for permanent protection and eventual acquisition by the refuge.
“This project is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when partners come together around a shared conservation vision,” said DU Manager of Conservation Programs Elizabeth Guthrie. “By aligning our resources and expertise with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other supporters, we’re able to protect critical habitats at a meaningful scale. With this addition, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is better positioned to protect rare species, restore native habitat, support outdoor recreation, and conserve the natural heritage of Florida’s Gulf Coast.”
DU worked with partners including Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Sam Shine Foundation, Inc., the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, and Duke Energy to help secure the critical NAWCA funding to support this project.
The acquisition provides significant benefits for threatened and endangered species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, wood stork and frosted flatwoods salamander, as well as many other resident and migratory species. It also helps preserve a broader landscape of federal, state and private forestlands that together support more than one million acres of unfragmented habitat.
“This project significantly enhances our ability to conserve and manage critical habitats for a wide range of species,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge SystemHolly Gaboriault . “By conserving these wetlands and uplands, we are not only ensuring that threatened and endangered species, as well as migratory birds and other wildlife, have the space and resources they need to thrive, but also ensuring public lands are available for recreational opportunities for generations to come.”
The acquisition also strengthens habitat connectivity for the Florida black bear, supports stopover and breeding habitat for migratory birds, and expands opportunities for public hunting and other wildlife-dependent recreation.
