Florida Panther in the Reserve  A young male Florida panther wearing a radio tracking collar had been living in the Reserve since November. The radio collar was fitted on the animal by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission more than a year ago. Signals received from the transmitter have indicated to biologists that the panther had been spending significant amount of time on Keewaydin Island, hence his nickname, “Beach Boy”. While in the Reserve, he was recaptured, fitted with a larger collar, and released again significantly heavier than he was at the time of his original capture. He has now left the area, apparently heading back toward Big Cypress National Preserve. |
Visitor Use
Printable Version (pdf)Recommended Activities:
Sunbathing
Wildlife viewing
Nature photography
Camping (in designated areas)
Fishing
Fishing Licenses
Do you need a Saltwater Fishing License?
Prohibited Activities
As part of the Wilderness Area Practice “Leave No Trace” guidelines, the following activities are prohibited.
- Unleashed pets
- Unattended fires
- Hunting, harassing or possessing wildlife
- Use of firearms or weapons
- Removal or disturbance of natural or cultural resources
- Pollution or destruction of property
- Live shelling is prohibited throughout Collier County
Florida Administrative Code Chapter 253 Florida Statutes
To Report Violations
Call 1-888-404-FWCC
or (239) 938-1800 for DEP Park Patrol
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Coastal Changes
Shoreline Change
Reserve staff has been using GIS technology to map the Keewaydin Island shoreline annually since 1998. This effort was initially conducted to examine the effects of Australian pine removal from the island. Results of this monitoring indicate that shoreline change in areas where Australian pines were removed was comparable to other areas where the trees were not present. The most noteworthy changes continue to occur along the south tip of the island, which is actually accreting (expanding).
The island’s shoreline is also mapped directly following major storm events to document their impacts on this dynamic coastal area.
Keewaydin Habitats
Habitats on Keewaydin Island prior to Australian pine removal (1995)
In the mid-1990’s, Reserve staff mapped the nonnative and native communities on Key Island using satellite positioning technology, and planned a massive habitat restoration. Restoration funds included more than $1 million of federal, state and private funds. In 1998, contractors were employed to cut down and burn 350 acres of Australian pine trees on Key Island and nearby Coconut Island.
As a result, Keewaydin Island has grown to provide more habitat benefiting many species, and sea turtle nesting on Key Island beaches increased significantly.
Key Island Restoration
Read more information on the Keewaydin Island Restoration project.
Download Fliers
Facts About Keewaydin Island
Adobe pdfPrintable version of Keewaydin Island visitor use policy.
Leave No Trace:
Adobe pdfGuidelines to Protect Wilderness and Wildlife.
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This is a Friends of Rookery Bay Sponsored Site
Website a cooperative effort funded in part by the Collier County Tourist Development Tax
This is a Friends of Rookery Bay Sponsored Site
Website a cooperative effort funded in part by the Collier County Tourist Development Tax