Southwest Florida is under extreme human development pressure. With less natural habitat available in this region, many federal and state imperiled species rely on Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR) as critical habitat for their survival.

RBNERR provides important habitats for many species listed as endangered, threatened or species of special concern by the federal government and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. These species may use RBNERR as permanent habitat (e.g., gopher tortoise, Florida manatee, small-tooth sawfish, indigo snake within the scrub habitat), nesting sites (e.g., Atlantic loggerhead turtle, least tern, American crocodile), wading bird colonies (e.g. wood stork), migratory habitat or over-wintering sites (e.g., red knot), or as travel corridors (e.g., Florida panther, West Indian manatee) which may lead to future permanent residence. Confirmed sightings of the Florida panther within the boundaries of the reserve are increasing as local populations appear to be in recovery.