Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge

Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Location	Lee County, Florida, United States
Nearest city	Fort Myers, Florida
Coordinates	26°33′33″N 82°04′17″W / 26.55917°N 82.07139°W / 26.55917; -82.07139Coordinates: 26°33′33″N 82°04′17″W / 26.55917°N 82.07139°W / 26.55917; -82.07139
Area	538 acres (2.2 km2)
Established	September 26, 1908
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge

The Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located within the Matlacha Pass estuary, approximately 8 miles northwest of Cape Coral, Florida. The 538 acre (2.2 km²) refuge was established on September 26, 1908. It is administered as part of the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Flora[]

Trees that can be seen here include red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) and cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto). Also found in the area are tropical species such as seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), Florida strangler fig (Ficus aurea) and gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba).

Fauna[]

Some of the threatened or endangered animal species which make the refuge home are the West Indian manatee, crocodile, eastern indigo snake, wood stork and bald eagle.

External links[]

• Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge