Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Cedar Key, FL
Phone: 352-493-0238
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge is a group of fragile coastal islands just off the village of Cedar Key, Florida. Established in 1929, Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge contains significant natural and cultural resources from pre-historic and historic times. Today, the Refuge consists of 13 islands ranging in size from 1 to 120 acres, totaling 762 acres. Ancient Indian cultures once used these off-shore islands as camps, later creating living areas – where food from the Gulf was plentiful and readily available. In more recent history, the famous Faber Pencil Mill was located on Atsena Otie Key where its remains can be seen today.
Wading birds, shorebirds, fishes, manatees, bald eagles, crabs, and even reptiles are some of the species of wildlife that find suitable habitat on the islands and marshes that make-up Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. An historic lighthouse, now leased by the University of Florida as a Marine Science Lab, sits atop the Pleistocene dune relic, Seahorse Key. Their goal is to conduct important research while at the same time educating future conservation leaders about the importance of this unique ecosystem.
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