Here is the ninth diary in my series on Expanding the National Park System. Last week, I wandered around Delaware, this week I'm taking my sunglasses and suntan lotion to Florida. Florida currently has 3 national parks 2 national monuments, 4 national forests and 29 wildlife refuges.Florida has 8.2% of its land owned by the Feds, good for 18th in the country, and fifth-most among states east of the Mississippi River. Still, there is no such thing as too much protected land, and I will propose adding more monuments to Florida's tally.
Here is the ninth diary in my series on Expanding the National Park System. Last week, I wandered around Delaware, this week I'm taking my sunglasses and suntan lotion to Florida. Florida currently has 3 national parks 2 national monuments, 4 national forests and 29 wildlife refuges.Florida has 8.2% of its land owned by the Feds, good for 18th in the country, ad fifth-most among states east of the Mississippi River. Still, there is no such thing as too much protected land, and I will propose adding more monuments to Florida's tally.
Florida
Total Area 65 755 sq miles
Land Area 53 927 sq miles
Water Area 11 828 sq miles
Coastline 1350 sq miles
Additional monuments -4
NATIONAL PARKS -3
* Biscayne Established 1980 Covers 172 971 acres
Originally proposed to be part of Everglades, Biscayne was cut out in order to ensure the creation of Everglades in 1947. Most of the park is water , protecting the bay itself and the coral and reefs that lie off shore. the area was not developed until the 1960s when two nuclear plants and two other plants were built on the islands to facilitate development of the shoreline. public opposition lead to the creation of Biscayne national monument in 1968, and the area was upgraded and expanded when Congress made it a national park in 1980. Biscayne suffered a direct hit from Hurricane Andrew in 1992 the last Category 5 to hit the US to date, and suffered extensive damage. Almost 500,000 visitors visited Biscayne in 2012.
* Dry Tortugas Established 1935 Covers 64 701 acres
The Oldest of Florida's national parks, Dry Tortugas protects the westernmost keys of the Florida Keys as well as Fort Jefferson, an unfinished fortress that is the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere. the fort was used by the Army until the 1930s and held the four conspirators convicted in the conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln that were not executed. Dry Tortugas was declared a monument in 1935 and was elevated to a park in 1992. Almost 60000 people visited the park in 2012.
* Everglades Established 1947 covers 1, 508,538 acres
Covering the southern part of the Florida Peninsula, the Everglades is one of the most famous national parks as well as one of the biggest in the Lower 48, only Death Valley and Yellowstone are bigger. the park currently covers around a fifth of the area the Everglades originally covered, over 7 million acres. Efforts to save the area began to the 1910s after tremendous development in Southern Florida and resulted in setting aside 1.3 million acres, although Ernest Cole, who had led the commission to study creating the park, had pushed for 2 million acres and was disappointed in the final established area. Over the decades the Everglades has been expanded on more than one occasion, however, the only way to ensure the continued vitality of the Everglades is to undo the canals built over the 20th century in the area,and restoring and drastically increasing the area it covers. the Everglades should be restored to as much of its former expanses as possible. if that means the Everglades covers 6 million acres, so be it. The Everglades will be Florida's contribution to the National Park quarter collection in 2014, it will be the fifth and last quarter released that year.
NATIONAL MONUMENTS-2
* Castillo de San Marcos Established 1924 Covers 320 acres
The oldest masonry fort in the mainland US, San Marcos was built in 1672 and saw over 250 years of military service, before it was declared a national monument in 1924. It was renamed twice , to Fort St Mark in 1763 and Fort Marion after 1821. San Marcos served as a prison for captured Seminoles during the conquest of Florida after Spain sold Florida to the US in 1821. San Marcos and Matanzas are managed together by the NPS.
* Fort Matanzas established 1924 Covers 228 acres
Built in 1740 Fort Matanzas was designed to protect St Augustine, which was the capital of Spanish Florida. the fort was never used by the US and the fort wasn't restored until 1916. Matanzas is Spanish for slaughter, named after the execution of French Huguenots in 1565. 1 million visitors visited the monument in 2005.
NATIONAL FORESTS-4
* Apalachicola Established 1936 Covers 632 890 acres
The Largest national Forest in the state, Apalachicola is located in the Panhandle. Apalachicola is home to Fort Gadsden, which was originally known as Negro Fort, which became home to escaped slaves during the War of 1812 that were trying to flee slavery in Georgia. Andrew Jackson sent forces to resupply Fort Flint without informing Spain, and when a supply group attacked the fort. most of the Americans were killed. Jackson called for the destruction of the fort which was led by a black slave named Garson, along with an unnamed Choctaw chief. in July 1816 the fort was attacked by 250 men under the command of General Edmund Gaines, and during the battle a cannon shot hit the forts powder keg destroying the fort and killing all but 30 of the defenders. Garson was captured and executed the Choctaw chief was handed to the Creeks who killed and scalped him. The other survivors were returned to slavery. the battle ignited the first Seminole War. Today there is nothing left of the fort but the land it was on is protected in the forest.
* Choctawhatachee Established 1908 Covers 1152 acres
Originally set aside by President Theodore Roosevelt, and covering 340,890 acres, the vast majority of the forest was transferred to the War Department in 1940 and the land is now used by Eglin Air force Base.The law provides that the land will be restored to the forest when the base no longer needs it, upon the Presidents order. Currently a small fraction of land makes up the forest today under 1200 acres.
*Ocala Established 1908 Covers 430 447 acres
The oldest forest of the four in the state, Ocala which means 'fair land or ' big hammock' in Timucuan, is also the southernmost in the Continental US. the forest has 4 wilderness areas, and is the most visited of the 4 forests. the Navy uses the forest as a training area for testing ammo and bombing.
* Osceola Established 1931 Covers 190 932 acres
Named after Seminole warrior Osceola, the forest was created by Herbert Hoover in July 1931.The forest has one Wilderness area covering nearly 14000 acres. Local animals include the Alligator , black bear and red cockaded woodpecker.
WILDLIFE REFUGES-29
* Archie Carr Established 1991 covers 900 acres
Located along the Atlantic coast, this refuge is home to large numbers of Loggerhead and green sea turtles, about a quarter of all nesting sea turtles in the US. between 15-20,000 nests are laid here every year. The Refuge is managed by Pelican Island WR.
* Arthur Marshall Loxahatchee Established 1951 Covers 147 392 acres
One of the largest WRs in the state, Loxahtchee protects part of the historic Everglades ecosystem, and is home to 250 species of birds, snail kites and alligators. the refuge is being hit hard by invasive species like the Old world Climbing fern, and was hit hard by Hurricane Wilma in October 2005.
* Caloosahatchee Established 1921 Covers 40 acres
the second-smallest Wr in the state (only Island Bay is smaller), Caloosahatchee is located on the Caloosahatchee River, and is managed by the J N "Ding" Darling WR Complex.
* Cedar Keys Established 1929 Covers 891 acres
Consisting of 13 islands, the refuge was used by native tribes during ancient times, and today provides a habitat for egrets, bald eagles and blue herons. 4 of the islands, totaling 379 acres, is wilderness. public access to most of the refuge is limited to protect habitat, and 65000 visitors visit every year.
* Chassahowitzka Established 1941 Covers 30 843 acres
Located north of St Petersburg, this refuge is the main refuge in the WR Complex that bears its name. Protecting portions of the Chassahowitzka and Crystal Rivers, the refuge protects the eastern population of Whooping Cranes that were transplanted from Necedah WR in Wisconsin beginning in 2001. 76% of the refuge or about 23600 acres, is wilderness.
* Crocodile Lake Established 1980 Covers 6 686 acres
Established to provide habitat for alligators,who were endangered at the time, this refuge also protects hardwood hammock and cypress forests. most of the area is closed to the public to preserve habitat for the animals.
* Crystal River Established 1983 Covers 80 acres
one of four refuges that cover less than 100 acres, this refuge was set aside to protect the West Indian Manatee of which hundreds winter in the area.
* Egmont Key Established 1974 Covers 328 acres
Covering the southern end of Egmont Key, the refuge contains the remains of Fort Dade which was built during the Spanish-American War to protect Tampa Bay from attack, and it also serve as a quarantine for all US soldiers turning from Cuba where malaria and yellow fever were common. Tortoises, hummingbirds ad seabirds are common in the refuge.
* Florida Panther Established 1989 Covers 26 400 acres Budget $1,500,000
Established to protect the endangered Florida panther, which number only about 100 in the refuge. to conserve the habitat, visitors are restricted to the southeast corner of the refuge.the refuge is part of the Big Cypress swamp in southern Florida, north of the Everglades.
* Great White Heron Established 1938 Covers 130 187 acres
Located in the florida Keys, the refuge was set aside as habitat for great white herons, as well as other wildlife. most of the refuge area is water, and 1,900 acres is set aside as wilderness.
* Hobe Sound Established 1969 Covers 1035 acres
Set aside to protect loggerhead and green sea turtles as well as some of the last sand pine scrub oak trees in the state, of which 90% have been cut down.over 100000 visitors visit each year.
* Island Bay Established 1908 Covers 20 acres
The Smallest WR in the state, Island Bay was set aside by president Roosevelt in 1908, and in 1970 President Nixon signed legislation that designated all of the refuge as wilderness. To preserve the area, visitors are not permitted in the refuge.
* J N "Ding' Darling Established 1976 Covers 5200 acres
Named after the editorial cartoonist "Ding' Darling, who served as the director of the US biological Survey- the predecessor of the FWS, in 1934, the refuge protects one of the largest remaining undeveloped mangrove ecosystems in the country. 2600 acres, or 41% of the refuge is wilderness. the refuge was hit hard by Hurricane Charley in 2004, and the area is still recovering.
* Key West Established 1908 Covers 189 497 acres
the second largest WR in the state, key West was established to protect birds and other wildlife. all but 2000 acres of the refuge is open water, the land portion is designated as wilderness. Key West also manages 200000 acres of state water in collaboration with the state. Key West is managed by the National Key Deer Refuge.
* Lake Wales Ridge Established 1990 Covers 1194 acres
Established to protect endangered plants, as well as animals such as the Florida Scrub Jay, the refuge was among the first set aside for preservation of plants and is closed to the public.
* Lake Woodruff Established 1964 Covers 21 574 acres
Established in 1964 to provide habitat for wintering and migratory birds, the refuge has expanded over the years to covers 30000 acres of water, and contains over 200 species of birds, including bald eagles, egrets and herons. more than 1000 acres is set aside as wilderness.
* Lower Suwannee Established 1979 Covers 53000 acres
Located near the Florida panhandle, this refugee protects one of the largest undeveloped river deltas in the US. the refuge includes the Suwannee river estuary and provides habitat for 250 species of birds, fish such as catfish and bass,and sea turtles. before the land was set aside as refuge in 1979, it was owned and managed by timber companies for wood. due to development in the area, lightning strikes which are necessary to sustain habitat cannot be left to burn out naturally.
* Matlacha Pass Established 1908 Covers 538 acres
Set aside by President Roosevelt, this refuge protects, red, black and white mangrove trees and well as provides habitat for bald eagles, manatees and crocodiles.
* Merritt Island Established 1963 Covers 140000 acres
Located next to Cape Canaveral Air Force station,and lying on land used by the Kennedy Space center, access to Merritt Island is controlled by NASA. public access is permitted during daytime hours, subject to restriction. more than 1500 animal and plant species use the refuge.
* National Key Deer Established 1957 Covers 8542 acres Budget $1,041,000
Established to protected the endangered Key Deer a subspecies of white-tailed deer endemic to the Keys.currently about 800 deer live in the refuge. about 2300 acres of the refuge is wilderness. Key Deer manages Crocodile Lake,Great White Heron and Key West WRs. 90000 people visit annually.
* Okefenokee Established 1937 Covers 402000 acres(FL and GA) Budget $1,451,000
lying mostly in Georgia, the refuge lies only partly in Florida. the refuge was established to protect the Okefenokee Swamp from development. 354000 acres is wilderness, the 3rd largest wilderness east of the Mississippi River. over 600 species of plants as well as dozens of bird and animal species live in the swamp. 400000 people visited in 2007.
* Passage Key Established 1905 Covers 64 acres
One of the oldest WRs , Passage Key used to be a mangrove island home to royal and sandwich terns, before it was devastated by a hurricane in 1920. today the island is a small barrier island and is closed to the public. 57% of the refuge or 36 acres is wilderness.
* Pelican Island Established 1903 Covers 5376 acres
the first wildlife refuse in the US, Pelican Island was established in March 1903 to protect egrets and other birds from plume hunters which were driving the birds to near extinction. in the 60s, the refuge was expanded by nearly 5000 acres and granted wilderness status. over the years Pelican has shrunk in size due natural and manmade changes, the island is slowly being restored and rebuilt via FWS conservation efforts. as the first wildlife refuge Pelican Island has a special status in the system.
* Pine Island Established 1908 Covers 601 acres
Located on the Gulf side of the state, Pine Island is made up of several mangrove islands and is managed as part of the J N "Ding" Darling WR Complex. Local animals include raccoons, dolphins and manatees.
* Pinellas Established 1951 Covers 394 acres
Located neat St Petersburg, Pinellas provides habitat for brown pelicans, egrets and herons, and is one of three ' Tampa Bay refuges" managed by the Chassaowitzka WR.
* St Johns Established 1971 Covers 6255 acres
Established to protect the Dusty Seaside sparrow, which has since become extinct, the refuge is closed to the public to protect the habitat of the species that currently live in the refuge.
* St Marks Established 1931 covers 68000 acres
Split into three units- called St Marks, Panacea and Wakulla, St Marks is located near the border with Alabama. 17000 acres of the refuge is wilderness, and the refuge contains the second oldest active lighthouse in the state, which was built in 1842. the refuge serves as a wintering site for whooping cranes which are transferred from Necedah Wr in Wisconsin.Plans call for the refuge to expand by nearly 35000 acres in the future.
* St Vincent Established 1968 Covers 12 490 acres
Located on an island in the Gulf, this refuge protects turtles bald eagles , great owls, egrets and red wolves, which are endangered. 8000 visitors visit the refuge each year which is managed by St Marks WR.
* Ten Thousand Islands Established 1996 Covers 35000 acres
Mostly uninhabited, with the exception of Chokolosee Island, many of the islands, which actually number less than 1000, lie within Everglades NP. as many as 10000 birds live in the refuge and over 200 species of fish as well.
NATIONAL PRESERVES-2
* Big Cypress Established 1974 Covers 720566 acres
Originally proposed for inclusion in Everglades NP, Big Cypress was one of the first preserves set aside in the US. Located north of Everglades, Big Cypress covers over 700000 acres ranging from prairie to cypress forest.. nearly 1 million people visited in 2011.
* Timucuan Historical Established 1988 Covers 46000 acres
Named after native tribes in the Jacksonville area in the 16th century, Timucuan resides inside the city limits and also includes Fort Carolina National Memorial. 900000 people visited the preserve in 2005.
HISTORIC SITES, MEMORIALS AND OTHER NPS UNITS-4
* Canaveral Seashore Established 1975 Covers 57602 acres
Parts of lands owned by NASA, Canaveral was set aside in 1975 by Congress as part of an agreement between NASA and Interior. as it borders the John F Kennedy Space Station, access to the seashore is limited on days where space flights are launched. 1 million people visited the seashore in 2011.
* De Soto Memorial Established 1948 Covers 27 acres
Commemorates the 1539 landing of Hernando De Soto in what is now Tampa Bay. De Soto led a group of 600 men to 'conquer, pacify and populate' Florida. De Soto and his men searched the Southeast for gold and treasure ranging from Carolina to Texas. in the process hundreds of his men and native Indians died. De Soto himself died in 1542, and the surviving men sailed for Mexico. The memorial was designed to preserve the history of De Sotos mission and the influence it had on the history of the region and the US.Almost 250000 people visited the memorial in 2005.
* Fort Caroline Memorial Established 1953 Covers 138 acres
Located in Timucuan preserve in Jacksonville, Fort Caroline was the first French colony in what is now the US when it was established in 1564. The Spanish overran and destroyed the fort in 1565,building another in its place and the French overran that fort in 1568, and slaughtered the inhabitants in retaliation for the executions of the Hugenots on Matanzas islet, is what is now Fort Matanzas NM. The NPS has built a replica of the fort within the memorial. 145000 people visited the memorial in 2005.
* Gulf Islands Seashore Established 1971 Covers 135 458 acres (FL and MS)
Established in 1971 Guldf Islands protects barrier islands in Florida and Mississippi. originally islands in Alabama were to be included as well, but those islands were later cut out. Gulf Islands wilderness covers 4000 acres in Mississippi. The seashore was hit hard by hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, but still received almost 1.7 million visitors in 2005.
PROPOSED MONUMENTS-4
* Florida Coastal Would stretch the length of Florida's 1350 mile coastline, extending 20 miles out to sea and up to 10 miles inland, depending on open land. estimated area 7 million acres
* Okefenokee Upgrades the existing refuge to monument status and extends the boundary to cover the entire swamp. estimated area 440000 acres
* Okeechobee Would protect the lake from further development and allow the surrounding area to restore itself estimated area 200000 acres
* Apalachicola Upgrades much of the forest to monument status Estimated area 400000 acres
And there it is , my diary of Florida is complete. My next diary will head north to Georgia, and i'll be humming "Georgia on my mind' as I explore that state. As always, comments, concerns and imput are welcome.