Refuge Facts

• Established: 1968.
• Acres: 12,490, Franklin and Gulf Counties, FL.
• Other management: Conservation easements: 21 totaling 1,625 acres in 12 counties in Florida.
• Location: 22 miles southwest of Apalachicola, FL, boat needed to reach island.

Natural History:

• Undeveloped coastal barrier island with representative native plants and animals.
• Migratory bird stop-over, nesting bald eagles, nesting loggerhead sea turtles, red wolf island propagation site.
• Open water 264 acres, wetlands 4,566 acres, forest 5,861 acres, shrub 1,412 acres, sand dunes 387 acres.

Financial Impact of Refuge:

• Five-person staff.
• 8,000 visitors annually.
• Current budget (FY 05) $559,500.

Refuge Objectives:

• Provide habitat for migratory birds.
• Provide habitat and protection for threatened and endangered species such as American alligator, bald eagle, indigo snake, red wolf and sea turtle.
• To manage and preserve the natural barrier island and associated native plant and animal communities.
• Provide wildlife-dependent recreation and environmental education for the public.

Management Tools:

• Water management for waterfowl, wood storks, wading birds, shorebirds and fish.
• Prescribed fire.
• Deer management with public hunting.
• Education/interpretation.
• Law enforcement.
• Partnerships.

Public Use Opportunities:

• Fishing.
• Hunting.
• Wildlife observation.
• Educational displays.
• Hiking trails.
• Photography.

Calendar of Events:

Questions and Answers:

Can you drive to the refuge?

No. St. Vincent is a barrier island off the coast of Apalachicola, Florida. Do you need a boat to access St. Vincent? Yes. If you don’t have a boat, contact the Apalachicola Chamber of Commerce. They maintain a list of vendors who will take you to the refuge for a fee.