We are the Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges, a nonprofit organization.

​Our mission is to support the work of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys Refuges protecting wildlife and the habitat needed for the wild to thrive.

Hurricane Idalia Damage Recovery Update

  • The Nature Drive is open. 
  • The Shell Mound pier is gone, and for safety and erosion reasons the area remains closed to vehicles; however, visitors can walk the trail. The dock, which was due to be rebuilt this fall, is closed completely. It will remain closed until the reconstruction project is complete.
  • The Dennis Creek Trail is open to hikers. However, it is still full of rack washed up in the hurricane. Staff and Friends will be working to make it easier to walk.
  • The River Trail  boardwalk is closed indefinitely. It must be completely rebuilt. The funding for materials is not in the Refuge's budget and had to be placed in the "deferred maintenance" category. Unless, the project somehow can get assigned hurricane recovery funds, it will probably be years before it is rebuilt.
  • Tram Ridge Trail was not seriously damaged by the hurricane. However, right now, the lower sections are wet from the recent rain. See the new trail guide here.
  • ​On the Dixie County side, Fishbone Creek is open, although it still needs a lot of work and the road requires careful driving. The platform is unusable. It is unclear when, or if, it will be replaced.
  • Dixie Mainline is open, though you should continue to watch out for large potholes.
  • Shired Island is open, but the county road to get there has been closed off and on. for safety reasons. Although the boat launch is functional, there is no restroom or fishing pier.
  • The Atsena Otie boardwalk, which was rebuilt in the spring, is gone. The trail is open, but still has quite a lot of debris on it.

You can now find Friends of Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys NWRs on The Philanthropy Hub.

The Holidays are upon us. Visit our Online Store for your purchases and help Friends support the Refuges.

Junior Ranger Workbook

Click to download a copy.
Picture of Refuge Forester Daniel Barrand working with new Junior Rangers
Refuge Forester Daniel Barrand working with new Junior Rangers

Notes from Refuge Manager Andrew Gude about Hunting

The Refuge remains open to all activities during hunts. Hunters and non hunters are expected to share the Refuge and be respectful of each other.  You are advised to:
  • Avoid going down a gated side road where a vehicle is already parked during an active hunt. 
  • Non hunters should consider wearing bright safety colors.
  • Avoid interactions that interfere with each other.
Register here to receive the Hunters Group Newsletter
2023-2024 Refuge Hunt Dates
Archery
16 Sept. - 15 Oct.
Muzzleloader
21 Oct. - 29 Oct.
General Gun No. 1
4 Nov. - 12 Nov.
Thanksgiving Family Hunt
17 Nov. - 19 Nov.
Thanksgiving General Gun No. 2
20 Nov. - 26 Nov.
Feral Hog/Small Game
27 Jan. - 11 Feb.
Youth Turkey
9 Mar. - 10 Mar.
Spring Turkey
16 Mar. - 7 Apr.
 Information for Mobility Impaired Hunters

Mobility impaired hunters who wish to have alternative access to the Refuge, please see the following information.  If you need additional information after reading through this package, contact Andrew Gude, Refuge Manager, at 703.622.3896 or Andrew_Gude@fws.gov.

Visit Both of our Refuges

​The Lower Suwannee Refuge is open daily from dawn to dusk for appropriate recreational uses including boating, hiking, fishing, biking, and birding. FWS Lower Suwannee Information Brochure.

The Cedar Keys Refuge is made up of 13 small islands offshore from the City of Cedar Key. Atsena Otie Island​ and the sandy beaches of the other islands are open to visitors. They must be accessed by personal boat. All interior and/or vegetated areas of the islands, other than Atsena Otie, are closed to visitors in order to protect the resident and transient birds nesting on them. Also, the waters and beaches around Snake Key (~100m) are closed to all entry March through June, since Snake Key is a major nesting area. Entry to closed areas on any of the islands is by permit only. FWS Cedar Keys Information Brochure.
shore birds roosting at Seahorse Key
Seahorse Key
board walk leading to Suwannee River
Our beautiful River Trail is closed because of damage from Hurricane Idalia. Repair is funding dependent and unlikely to be provided in the upcoming federal budget.
View of Guld of Mexico from Shell Mound trail
The Shell Mound pier was totally destroyed by Hurricane Idalia. Luckily the Refuge had already contracted to replace it because of earlier damage. It may be repaired by the end of the year.
Suwannee river seen from end of River Trail
Suwannee River seen from the River Trail
Long leaf pines along Tram Ridge Trail
Tram Ridge Trail
Friends members visiting the private Vista property on a field trip during the 2020 Annual Meeting
Vista property
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge official government website
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge official government website

A Gatorama of Refuge Photos

Picture of tan alligaotr lounging in the scrub with a turtle resting next to its head
Gator and turtle friend. Photo by Larry Woodward.
Visit the Wildlife page for more of the Gatorama.

Butterflies of the Lower Suwannee

If you are interested in butterflies, we have an abundance of information and activities for you. The most recent ones were a walk out at the Refuge, and a talk at the Cedar Key Library, both by Friends Board Member Barbara Woodmansee. If you're curious about the multitude of species of butterflies and moths you may happen across at the Refuge, you can watch her entire presentation on the YouTube link here. And, shop at our online store ​to purchase Barbara's beautiful and informative guidebook before you venture out to the Refuge for some butterfly hunting. Other materials produced by Friends for butterfly lovers include:​