Archie Carr

Archie Carr NWR https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Archie_Carr/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_Carr_National_Wildlife_Refuge The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is located along a twenty mile (30 km) section of coastline from Melbourne Beach to Wabasso Beach, Florida along State Road A1A. The refuge protects the Loggerhead and Green sea turtles and provides nesting habitats for approximately one-fourth of all sea turtles nesting in the United States. About 15,000-20,000 sea turtles nests are laid annually, mostly loggerheads, green sea turtles, and some leatherbacks. The refuge also provides habitat for several other threatened and endangered species.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge Spanning 20.5 linear miles along Florida’s central Atlantic coast, the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge represents the nation’s most significant land conservation and acquisition initiative to protect sea turtle nesting beaches. The unique federal, state, county and private partnership that has emerged to support this initiative represents a model for cooperation and communication among government agencies, conservation groups and the local community and has resulted in the purchase of 1,325 acres of barrier island habitats within the Refuge’s acquisition boundary. Cover photo: Loggerhead sea turtle hatchling/Blair Witherington This photo: Archie Carr NWR/ Brevard County/Nichole Perna Sea Turtles of Florida and the Refuge Sea turtles have existed for over 150 million years, and in just the past 100 years, six of the seven existing species have become federally listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Loggerhead hatchling/Blair Species Act. Witherington Five of those species, the green, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback and loggerhead can be found in Florida. Out of these, the three species featured here nest on Florida’s beaches Female loggerhead/Jim Angy and in the Refuge in numbers seen nowhere else in the country. Green turtle hatchling/Jim Angy Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) Federally listed as threatened in 1978 Within the United States, loggerhead sea turtles nest principally in Florida but their nesting can range along the coast from Texas to Virginia, nesting farther from the tropics than any other marine turtle. Approximately 25% of all loggerhead nests in Florida occur within the 20.5 mile Refuge making it their most significant Female green turtle/Jim Angy nesting site in the Western Hemisphere. Loggerheads weigh up to 300 pounds and have an exceptionally large head and powerful jaws to support a diet of hard-shelled mollusks and crustaceans. Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Federally listed as endangered in 1978 Green turtles nest only in Florida within the United States and deposit more nests within the Leatherback hatchling/Jim Angy 20.5 mile Refuge than anywhere else in the state. Green turtles weigh up to 350 pounds, have a notable small head, and are the Female leatherback/Jim Angy only vegetarians of all the sea turtles species. Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Federally listed as endangered in 1970 In the United States, a small population of leatherback turtles nest along the south and central Atlantic coast of Florida, including the Refuge. Leatherbacks are by far the largest of all sea turtles species weighing an average of 750 pounds with some reaching up to 2000 pounds. Leatherbacks are the only sea turtle species without a hard shell. Loggerhead nesting sequence/ Blair Witherington Tracks on the Beach From March through October, sea turtle nests are surveyed statewide by permit. Species identification and nest determinations are derived from early morning observations of tracks and other nesting signs that the sea turtles have left behind from the night before. Most survey areas have a daily count of species, nests and nesting attempts. A small, representative percentage of those nests are staked and tracked to monitor nest productivity through hatching. Loggerhead false crawl/Blair Witherington Jim Angy For more information about sea turtle monitoring in Florida, go to www. myfwc.com. A Living Laboratory Scientific studies of sea turtle nesting activity within the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge began in 1982 and continues by the Marine Turtle Research Group, a graduate program under the University of Central Florida. Collaboration between the University and many other research entities has resulted in a better understanding of sea turtle population biology, genetics, physiology, behavior, and ecological relationships. The Refuge thereby serves as a laboratory for the conservation of sea turtles worldwide. An Exemplary Partnership The Refuge spans 20.5 linear miles within four distinct segments on the barrier island between Melbourne Beach in Brevard County and Wabasso Beach in Indian River County. The acquisition boundary consists of approximately 2, 670 acres, of which 1, 325 acres have been purchased by various land management agencies. The majority of the acreage is owned by state and county partners and managed for both conservation and visitor access, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns and manages 258 acres, which are managed for conservation only. Ocean to Lagoon Habitats within the Refuge span the barrier island from the Atlantic Ocean west to the Indian River Lagoon and include beach, dunes, coastal scrub, maritime hammock, and mangrove swamp. These unique habitats represent some of the most fragile and endangered ecosystems in Florida and the nation. Photos, top to bottom: Eastern indigo snake, Florida scrub jay and coastal scru

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pursuing nesting sea turtles on the beach n Feeding or disturbing wildlife and their nests n Releasing any wild or domestic animal n Searching for and collecting artifacts, plants and animals n Dogs, horses, ATV’s, bicycles and cars on public beaches and foot trails n Creation and use of unauthorized dune foot paths to access the beach n Camping and fires n Use of firearms and hunting Wildlife Emergencies Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888/404 3922 (injured or dead sea turtles and manatees; sighting of North Atlantic right whales; illegal feeding of raccoons) Lighting Code Enforcement Offices Outdoor and indoor lights should not be visible from the beach after 10 pm, May through October. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service BOUNDARY Department of the Interior The Archie Carr National Wildlife Consult Manager for current regulations AREA BEYOND THIS SIGN CLOSED U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE IO T M R PA Indian River County: 772/226 1249 R DE R Brevard County: 321/633 2086 ©Blair Witherington UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY PROHIBITED Brevard County/Grace Foley These signs indicate the Refuge boundaries and properties owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no visitor access through these properties. NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE EN T OF THE IN TE All public entry prohibited For further information, contact: Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge c/o Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 Phone: 772/562 3909 x 275 Email: ArchieCarr@fws.gov www.fws.gov/ArchieCarr Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is a unit managed by the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex. National Wildlife Refuges are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a federal agency under the Department of Interior. ©Blair Witherington n USFWS/Cheri Ehrhardt Regulations Prohibited Activities n Night-time entry through county public beach accesses ©Blair Witherington Brevard County/Nichole Perna National Wildlife Refuge USFWS/Cheri Ehrhardt ©Blair Witherington ©Blair Witherington Archie Carr Visitor Center Barrier Island Sanctuary Management and Education Center Located in the heart of the Refuge and operated by Brevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, the Center offers: n Barrier Island Sanctuary Trail: 3/4-mile with lagoon kayak launch n Hammock Trail at Sebastian Inlet State Park: 1-mile Beach Access All Brevard and Indian River County beach parks within the Refuge are open for day use only. Refuge is an integration of federal, n Exhibits on sea turtles and the barrier island state, county and privately owned lands n Environmental education programs and tours on the barrier island and represents n Auditorium with orientation movies South Brevard County n Coconut Point Park n 3/4-mile foot trail and lagoon kayak launch n Juan Ponce de Leon Landing n Closed on Mondays n Judith Resnick Memorial Park (limited facilities) n Bonsteel Park (limited facilities) n Sebastian Inlet State Park, North Use Area the nation’s most significant land conservation and acquisition initiative to protect sea turtle nesting beaches. The Refuge spans a total of 20.5 linear miles along Florida’s central and southeast Atlantic coast between The Center is located 3 miles north of Sebastian Inlet or 14 miles south of US-192. Address: 8385 South Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951. Phone: 321/723 3556 Wildlife Observation Sea Turtle Watch Programs The best time to view sea turtles is in June and July when guided, night-time sea turtle watch programs are offered. Reservations for the programs are required. County and Wabasso Beach in north Interpretive Foot Trails A total of four trails on the west side of Highway A1A provide unique wildlife observation opportunities within the rare habitats of the barrier island ecosystem. Indian River County and on both sides n Coconut Point Trail: 3/4-mile of Highway A1A. n Maritime Hammock Sanctuary Trail: 2-mile Melbourne Beach in south Brevard North Indian River County n Sebastian Inlet State Park, Day Use Area n Ambersands Beach Access (limited facilities) n Treasure Shores Park n Golden Sands Park Saltwater Fishing Surf fishing is permitted through all designated dune crossovers but outside life-guarded areas. Two ocean jetties and catwalks under the Inlet bridge at Sebastian Inlet State Park provide excellent fishing opportunities. For fishing regulation information and licenses, go to www.myfwc.com or call 888/347 4356. ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! A A A ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! "B

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge Refuge Facts ■ Established: 1991. Acres: 252. ■ Located: Brevard and Indian River counties, Florida. ■ Other management: The refuge is a unique partnership of multiagency land owners and managers including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Florida, Brevard County, Indian River County and Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute. USFWS ■ ■ USFWS Blair Witherington USFWS ■ Layne Hamilton, Project Leader Charlie Pelizza, Refuge Manager Archie Carr NWR c/o Pelican Island NWR Complex 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 Phone: 772/562 3909 Fax: 772/299 3101 Website: www.fws.gov/archiecarr Location: the refuge is located on central Florida’s Atlantic coast between Melbourne Beach and Wabasso Beach and spans both Brevard and Indian River Counties. Administered as a staffed satellite refuge of Merritt Island NWR Complex. Pelican Island NWR Complex has a shared staff with and manages Archie Carr and Lake Wales Ridge NWR’s. Natural History ■ Refuge is the most important nesting area for threatened loggerhead sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere. ■ Refuge is the most important nesting area for endangered green sea turtles in the U.S. ■ Refuge is also an important nesting area for endangered leatherback sea turtles. ■ Provides habitat for several other threatened and endangered species, including southeastern beach mice and Florida scrub jays. Financial Impacts of Refuge ■ All public facilities are on partner owned lands. ■ Shared funding and staff for Pelican Island NWR also support Archie Carr and Lake Wales Ridge NWR’s. Refuge Objectives ■ Protect nesting habitat for sea turtles. ■ Protect, enhance, and restore barrier island habitats for threatened and endangered species. ■ Increase public understanding through outreach, environmental education, and compatible recreation. ■ Enhance habitat protection and management through partnerships. Management Tools ■ Partnerships through Archie Carr Working Group. ■ Sea turtle nest monitoring. ■ Sea turtle research through the University of Central Florida’s Marine Turtle Research Group. ■ Predator control to protect sea turtle nests. ■ Law enforcement. ■ Mechanical/chemical control of exotic plants. ■ Volunteer program. ■ Prescribed fire. ■ Financial support through Friends of the Carr Refuge. Public Use Opportunities ■ Beach access and surf fishing through county managed parks and Sebastian Inlet State Park. ■ Four interpretive trails on county and state park owned lands. ■ Fishing by jetty, catwalk, bank and boat through Sebastian Inlet State Park. ■ Seasonal sea turtle watch programs. ■ Wildlife observation and photography. ■ Interpretation/Outreach/ Environmental Education. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Questions and Answers Where is it? The refuge spans 20 miles on central Florida's Atlantic coast from Melbourne Beach in Brevard County to Wabasso Beach in Indian River County. Within this area, four segments have been identified for acquisition totaling 9.3 miles. Signs have been posted at the north and south ends of the refuge which helps to delineate the boundaries. Is the refuge open to the public? Yes. Indian River County, Brevard County and the State of Florida manage all public access within the refuge. There are no public access facilities on Service owned lands within the refuge. In 2008, the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program dedicated a new Visitor Center, the Barrier Island Sanctuary Management and Education Center. Although owned and operated by Brevard County, this center will serve as the main visitor contact point for the Archie Carr NWR. The center is open Tuesdays - Sundays. Both Indian River and Brevard County Parks and Recreation Departments manage beach accesses within the refuge that are open during daytime hours. Sebastian Inlet State Park is also within the refuge boundary and is open 24 hours a day. Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and Sebastian Inlet State Park manage a total of four interpretive foot trails and seven miles of mountain bike trails on the west side of Highway A1A in Brevard County. Does the refuge have a Visitor Center? Yes. The Barrier Island Sanctuary Management and Education Center, opened in 2008, serves as the main visitor contact point for the refuge. The Center is owned and operated by Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and features exhibits, environmental education programs and tours on sea turtles and other wildlife and habitats of the barrier island ecosystem. The Center is closed on Mondays and is located on Highway A1A in south Brevard County, just three miles north of Sebastian Inlet.