Located at the northern end of the Ten Thousand Islands on the gulf coast of Florida, the Rookery Bay Reserve represents one of the few remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America.

An amazing world exists within the 110,000 acres of pristine mangrove forest, uplands and protected waters of Rookery Bay. Where rivers and streams meet the sea, a unique habitat is formed. A myriad of wildlife, including 150 species of birds and many threatened and endangered animals, thrive in the estuarine environment and surrounding upland hammocks and scrub found within the Reserve.
The mission of the Reserve is to provide a basis for informed coastal decisions through land management, restoration research and education. The Reserve works in partnership with local communities to promote coastal stewardship.

The Rookery Bay Research Reserve is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Managed Area Boundary

View the Reserve’s managed area boundary.

Base image provided by Collier County Appraisers Office.

Research Department

Research staff and visiting scientists conduct research and monitoring within the watersheds and boundaries of the Reserve

View Past & Present
Research Papers

Collaborative efforts include analyzing the impacts of mosquito control aerial spraying, mangrove and oyster reef ecology, restoration ecology, estuarine fisheries, and nutrient cycling....