"Situated amidst growing developmental pressure, these beautiful, natural and cultural areas require special attention and protection."

Nicole Love, former Aquatic Preserve Manager

Location:

Nassau and Duval counties

Acreage:

77,000 acres of sovereign submerged lands

Contact:

Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas
3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 235
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000
(850) 245-2094
FloridaCoasts@dep.state.fl.us

Download a fact sheet. (pdf - 1.85 MB)

• These areas are dominated by salt marsh through which frequent tidal flushing ensures the continuous transport of nutrients in and out of the estuary.
   
• Oyster bars, tidal flats, and beaches are also integral parts of these dynamic systems.
   
• Provides critical habitat to a wide variety of fish and wildlife, including endangered species, such as sea turtles, bald eagles, wood storks, least terns, Florida manatees and right whales.
   
• Over 100 sites of archaeological and culture significance have been identified.
   
• The earliest inhabitants, the Timucuan Indians date back to 3500 BC, and were able to survive here because of the productive marsh areas.
   
• Shellfish such as clams, mussels, oysters and whelks provided not only food for the Timucuan, but materials for tool making as well.