Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

Project Spotlight

Cover of GTM NERR Draft Management Plan The draft of the Guana - Tolomato - Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan is available for public review. Adobe Reader is required to view this 21.2 MB PDF. Public meetings are being held on Sept. 26 and 27, 2007 to receive input on this draft plan. Comments can also be submitted by e-mail or fax until Oct. 4, 2007.

"The Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve contains a rich variety of habitats including saltmarshes, tidal flats, a man-made freshwater/brackish water impoundment, freshwater marshes, a beach with a natural dune system, and 25,000 acres of ocean making it an ideal living laboratory and classroom for the Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR."

Michael Shirley
Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR Manager

Dunes on Guana Lake

Key Accomplishments

Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) coordinates with the DEP Regulatory program to ensure that Environmental Resource Permits and Submerged Land authorizations are as protective of aquatic preserve resources as possible. CAMA can provide support to permit review staff through its resource staff familiar with preserves, boat access, GIS mapping, and field support.
CAMA staff continue to collect nutrients and other water quality data to contribute to the maintenance of the System Wide Monitoring Program.
Implemented prescribed burn plan, monitored least tern and sea turtle nesting seasons and completed gopher tortoise survey as part of the ongoing natural resource management program
CAMA began the Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) hands on environmental education program in partnership with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Sebastian Middle School’s 7th grade to enhance learning opportunities within the region.
Coastal Training workshops, seminars, and brown bag lectures have addressed prescribed burning, estuarine ecology, sea turtles, invasive species, landscape design, and water quality issues.

Environmental Education Center

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) is a cooperative management agreement between the state and federal governments. Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) staff located here also manage the Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve within the GTMNERR. An Environmental Education Center, a 21,000 square foot building designed and built to promote the conservation and educational values of the NERR including the preserve was recently completed by CAMA . The center contains environmental education exhibits including the North Atlantic right whale and other marine life, a beach dune exhibit, and an estuary diorama teaching the interconnections among the coastal uplands, the estuary and the ocean. The center hosts workshops and meetings, students, and visiting scientists. It serves as a regional center for aquatic preserve coastal resource management programs on Florida's East Coast.

Quick Facts about Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

Map of Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

Location:

St. Johns County

Acreage

40,000 acres of sovereign submerged lands, including over 12,000 acres of state conservation uplands

Contact:

Dr. Mike Shirley
Environmental Administrator, GTM NERR
505 Guana River Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
904-823-4500

Download a printable version of this page.

Further information about Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan

Guana River and the Guana Peninsula

Anastasia Island beach mouse

Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan
Represents a complete cross-section of a relatively undisturbed barrier island with a combination of cultural and natural resources found nowhere else in the region.
The coastal waters of the Aquatic Preserve are important calving grounds for the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
The Florida manatee, woodstork, bald eagle, Anastasia Island beach mouse and peregrine falcon find refuge in the Aquatic Preserve.
Many prehistoric and historic archaeological sites are found in the submerged and upland habitats of the Guana peninsula.

Aerial view of Tolomato River

Extensive salt marsh and islands of the Tolomato River provide critical habitat along the North Atlantic Flyway.

Last updated: June 20, 2008