Our Refuges

The National Wildlife Refuge System
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 500 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The mission of the system is to preserve a national network of lands and waters for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, and plant resources of the United States for the benefit of present and future generations. The refuge system encompasses over 93 million acres administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition to the refuge system, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for the endangered species program, National Fish Hatcheries, migratory birds, certain marine mammals and other wildlife programs.

Refuge staff members are responsible for carrying out the mission and goals of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System at two refuges, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge.

The Cedar Keys NWR is made up of 800 acres on 13 islands in the Gulf of Mexico around the City of Cedar Key. These islands are managed as rookeries for colonial nesting birds, protected lands where birds can thrive. This Refuge was established in the 1929 when birds were being commercially hunted during nesting to use their plumage in the millinery industry.

The Lower Suwannee NWR was established many years later in 1979 to protect, maintain, and enhance habitats along the Suwannee River's lower reaches. Unlike other Refuges, it was not established for the protection of a specific species, but in order to protect the water quality of the historic Suwannee River. The Suwannee River runs through the Refuge for 25 miles and along the Gulf of Mexico coast for 30 miles. The Refuge protects this portion of the lands along the river and the Gulf coast, and all the wildlife that depend on them. The land that makes up the Refuge was previously used in Florida's timber industry. Refuge staff members manage the land and work to restore the forest habitats and natural hydrology so that wild animals and plants can thrive, and we can enjoy wildlife-centered recreation including hiking, fishing, hunting, bird-watching, kayaking, education, and photography.
Read about the Hydrology Restoration Project here.
Rules:
There are lots of fun, interesting, and educational things you can do at the Lower Suwannee NWR. Keep in mind, if an activity is not wildlife related and doesn’t help in the protection or understanding of wildlife or their habitat, there are probably Refuge System rules governing that activity. Please check with the refuge management before participating in an activity that could harm the environment or yourself. Call headquarters at: +1352-493-0238.

There are plenty of activities at the Lower Suwannee NWR for you to enjoy.  Be safe and have fun! 
Prohibited at the Refuge are fires, camping, dogs off-leash, horses and the collecting of plants, animals, shells and artifacts.
Hints for enjoying your visit:
• Start early and stay late. You are more likely to see wildlife activity in early morning or late afternoon.
• Bring your field guides and binoculars. They are helpful in identifying plants and animals. Bring insect repellent if you are going to do any walking, bicycling or be out of your car for extended periods.
• Bring water if bicycling or hiking. A compass or GPS is recommended if walking off the main trail.

Location

The Headquarters for the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges is located off State Road 347 between Chiefland and Cedar Key at 16450 NW 31 Pl Chiefland, FL 32626
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Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Headquarters phone: (352) 493-0238
Acting Refuge Manager John Stark cell: (850) 527-8535

Our Refuge Staff Members

Picture of John Stark in uniform
working
Picture of John driving in an antique military vehicle
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John Stark, Acting Refuge Manager
About my work at the Refuges: I started my work in the federal government in 1999 in the U.S. Army as a 63B20 “Light-Wheel Vehicle Mechanic” and I operated an M936A2 5-ton recovery vehicle.  I was stationed in Europe for most of my time on active duty.  It was very exciting and rewarding work, which included a 202 day deployment with NATO into Kosovo (2000), and a 455 day deployment as Section Sergeant into Iraq (2003-2004).  I was also briefly a Section Sergeant at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa.  My work with USFWS started as a SCEP  “intern” at Alligator River NWR (2009), where I earned my wildland firefighter red card and conducted biology, fire and maintenance work.  From there, I went to White River NWR in Arkansas to work as a Wildlife Refuge Specialist “assistant manager”.  I helped with assistant manager duties, but still had plenty of time to assist the large staff in the active forestry, maintenance and biology programs.  I came to St. Vincent NWR in 2015 to work as a Deputy Refuge Manager. At St. Vincent, I was  able to work with endangered red wolves, Asian elk, awesome supporters and volunteers and many great partners. 

Now, I’m thankful and excited to be a part of the exceptional  Lower Suwannee NWR team! 
About other parts of my life: Outside of work, you can find me spending time with my wife Heather and my daughters Ariana and Freya.  We love to be outdoors: camping, swimming, etc., any non-consumptive use.  The only consumptive activity we enjoy is scalloping, but the girls throw most of what we catch back “to be nice to the scallops”.   When I’m not with my family, you can find me tinkering with or riding around in old military vehicles.  I’m driven by a sense of adventure, and I’ve been blessed to have been able to go to 20 countries across 5 continents.  I think my greatest moment of adventure, outside of time with family, was when I caught an undescribed fish while conducting a survey of Amazon river tributary fishes in Peru.  It was a small, unremarkable fish (order gymnotiformes), but I was overly excited to catch something without a species name.   
Daniel Barrand in a field
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Daniel Barrand in a boat
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Daniel Barrand, Refuge Forester
About my work at the Refuges: The title of Forester takes on several meanings. Most folks have a perception that Foresters are tree experts, although Foresters may have learned about trees there is much more. A Forester manages a forest that includes everything from 150 feet below the surface to 150 feet above the surface. This encompass soil, minerals, hydrology, ground cover, forest midstory, forest overstory, and air quality.

My work here on the Refuge is to provide, improve, and sustain habitat for wildlife. I use many tools to achieve a healthy and sustainable habitat. The staff here is trying to accomplish something that has never been done, at least in Florida. We are early in the process of transforming a forest that for over the past century was heavily managed for timber production into what will become a perpetual natural forest for the next century that supports a diversity of species. My part is to prepare long term management plans and apply them within the scope of our tools and resources. This includes; logging, tree planting, hydrology restoration, road construction, road removal, ground cover improvement and restoration, acquiring property, facility construction and maintenance,  equipment purchasing, preparing contracts and managing contractors, building and maintaining a GIS data base and IT infrastructure, and networking with other professionals.

I am blessed to work with team of awesome coworkers. Forestry is half art and half science. I apply the science, God provides the art. I am simply a steward of God’s creation.

About other part of my life: I am a Florida native raised in the panhandle of Florida.  I have lovely wife and two beautiful children. My wife works as a teacher’s aide supporting students with disabilities. My oldest son Hunter is studying marine biology at USF St. Petersburg. My youngest son Taylor is in Heaven. My priorities are God, Family, Fishing, and Work.

I have had the pleasure of practicing forest management at LSNWR since 2001. As to date, I am the longest serving employee at this Refuge. My past work experience was in the private timber industry as a timber buyer and land manager. In my younger days I also worked a few years as a wildland firefighter. When I am not working you may find me fishing the back waters and creeks of the Refuge from my boat or kayak or fishing some other part of the country. I also enjoy archery hunting and love joking around and having a good time. My family and I are also active members in our Church. I have the honor of serving God on several mission trips to remote parts of the Earth.
Jason Coates, Engineering Equipment Operator

About my work at the Refuges: I work all over the Refuge, spending much of my time on the Dixie County side of the river. I grade roads, mow trails, build interpretive kiosks, repair board walks, and generally keep the place in as good order as possible.

About other parts of my life: I am glad to be able to live and work in this part of Florida.
Picture of Mike Caulking cleaning the gazebo
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Picture of Mike Caulking at Manatee Springs
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Mike Caulking, Shell Mound Volunteer 
​About my work at the Refuges – I am so happy to have the opportunity to be a volunteer grounds keeper at Shell Mound. I took an early retirement a year-and-a-half ago at the age of 57 and moved to Fowler's Bluff. I discovered  Shell Mound and loved it so much I would go there every day, becoming friends with Ron Black who was then the Shell Mound ranger. Ron convinced me to take over his duties at Shell Mound when he retired and graciously taught me all I needed to know to do the job. My goal is to keep Shell Mound in Tip-Top condition. I pick up and take out the trash, I clean the restrooms. They are the cleanest restroom in town, I hope. I trim the overgrowth on the trails and the road . . . just enough that people and cars can pass. I repair the signs if needed, and I maintain the trails to keep them smooth and clear. When opportunity arises, I greet hikers and fishermen that come to enjoy Shell Mound. The refuge staff are so welcoming and helpful to me. I feel so lucky to be a part of this. 

About other parts of my life – I am a native Floridian having grown up in the seventies at Patrick Air Force Base on the East Coast. I worked for Raytheon company, in Pinellas County Florida, on transmitters and antennas for many different military grade systems. After working 33 years, I took an early retirement. I live a very active lifestyle. I've been a surfer, water skier, swimmer, hiker, and cycler. I've owned numerous boats and have been a scuba diver and spear fisherman. 

On a typical day, at the crack of dawn, I am off on my e-bike headed towards Shell Mound. Sometimes I fish, other times I just complete my duties there and head to Cedar Key hoping to visit with some folks I've met. I visit the library catch up on their periodicals. I go to the city park for a picnic. If I'm there when the tide is high, I will swim. I'm a daily swimmer. My absolute favorite place to swim is in the beautiful Florida springs. Manatee Springs and Fanning Springs are my favorites. I always feel fantastic after spending an hour or more in the 72-degree water.