Resource Management
Preserving Native Biodiversity

Native biodiversity is the variety of naturally occurring plant and animal species. Each species reinforces a vast and intricately balanced food web in its home range.
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Resource Management and Stewardship
Stewardship
Reserve resource managers facilitate land acquisition, conduct habitat and hydrology restoration projects, eradicate and control invasive plants and animals, protect listed species, manage important habitats and wildlife and conduct prescribed fires to sustain native biodiversity.
 
Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring

Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring
Rookery Bay NERR volunteers assisted resource management staff in the survival of thousands of Loggerhead Turtles. ...
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Have you Seen These? We Want to Know
Asian Green Mussel (Perna viridis) The Asian Green Mussel (Perna viridis) is a nonnative marine organism that has recently been found on pilings, culverts and other submerged surfaces within the Reserve. Reserve staff are now monitoring its distribution.

These mussels are not native and can damage sensitive estuarine ecosystems. To help prevent further spread, inspect your boat regularly for these organisms and dispose.

To report a sighting of these mussels go to http://nas.er.usgs.gov/sightingreport.asp. and e-mail the exact location and photo (If possible) to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . More information about Asian green mussels can be found at greenmussel.ifas.ufl.edu
 
Recent News

 
Florida PantherFlorida Panther Visits Rookery Bay
A female Florida panther wearing a radio collar has been documented within the Rookery Bay Reserve several times over the past few months. Identified by Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission biologists as FP-158, the cat has crossed SR 951 (Collier Boulevard) on numerous occasions in the vicinity of Shell Island Road, possibly extending her home range in search of food or a mate. When Reserve biologists were informed of her recent travel habits, a motion-activated wildlife camera was installed in the pine upland habitat south of Shell Island Road and successfully captured her on film. Tracking signals indicate she has spent some time near Hall Bay and surrounding area. This marks the second collared panther in the Reserve in 3 years. As panthers are active mostly at night, motorists are urged to use caution when traveling in this area after dark.
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Florida Panther Sign Florida Panther
Following recent panther deaths near East Tamiami Trail and Collier Boulevard, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is working with partners to get the word out to motorists and residents about Florida panthers in the area through signs and educational programs. Sightings and radio collar tracking data from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) over the past several years confirm an increase in panther use of Reserve lands west of Collier Boulevard. Florida Department of Transportation has just installed four panther crossing signs to alert motorists of panthers crossing Collier Boulevard to access the Reserve. As part of their monthly Brown Bag Lecture series, the Reserve hosted a presentation by FWC biologist Dave Oronato which informed nearly 100 attendees about panther movements in southern Collier County.
 
Fires in Florida Fires in Florida

Four Rookery Bay Reserve fire technicians assisted Florida Parks Service personnel with suppression and burn out activities while combating a 4,000-acre wildfire within the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. Another Rookery Bay fire technician was deployed this week with a Type VI engine with the Florida Park Service strike team to the Dairy Road Fire near Starke, Florida.
 
Americorps on the job!
Americorps Volunteers
A team of 11 Americorps volunteers spent the month of March at the Reserve removing invasive exotics from barrier islands and other coastal habitat, picking up trash and providing other needed services.
 


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Visitor Use

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Public Access:

Guidelines, information and maps to assist you in your visit to Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
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Beach Conditions

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Southwest Florida Beach Conditions:

For the latest beach conditions in Southwest Florida and Collier County, check out the new beach reporting system. Updates include wind direction, surf conditions, the presence of Red Tide and more.
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