About Us

The islands contain two basic vegetative zones, upland sand ridges and mangroves. Several islands of the Matlacha Pass NWR are used as roosting and nesting sites for a variety of colonial water birds including the brown pelican, great egret, snowy egret, reddish egret, great blue heron, little blue heron, tricolored heron, double crested cormorant and anhinga. The beaches and shores provide loafing, feeding, and nesting areas for migratory ducks, shorebirds, gulls, and terns.

Ospreys and bald eagles can be observed nesting and feeding in Matlacha Pass NWR. Several endangered and threatened species benefit from the habitats described including: wood storks, sea turtles, and manatees.

Other Facilities in this Complex

The Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The majority of the lands in these refuges are nesting and roosting islands. The entire complex is approximately 8,000 acres. The Refuge Complex headquarters is located at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957. 

Red Mangrove in the midst of blue rippling waters
Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge was established by President Woodrow Wilson on July 1, 1920 as a ". . . preserve and breeding ground for native birds." Originally, the Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge consisted of several mangrove islands. Today, shoreline development, dredging of the river, and construction of...
National Wildlife Refuge
Sanibel,FL
Sunset oranges and yellows at J.N. Ding Darling NWR
Island Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Island Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1908 as a ". . . preserve and breeding ground for native birds." Located in a vast complex of mangrove islands and brackish waters, Island Bay Refuge consists of six undeveloped, roadless tracts of land totaling 20 acres occupying the higher...
National Wildlife Refuge
Sanibel,FL
Bright pink birds with round, spoon shaped bills wading in blue water
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel, is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. It is world famous for spectacular migratory bird populations and the best place to start your visit is the FREE Visitor and...
National Wildlife Refuge
Sanibel,FL
Pine Island in coastal saltmarsh
Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1908 to protect thousands of herons, egrets, and pelicans. The refuge is surrounded by the Pine Island Sound State Aquatic Preserve.
National Wildlife Refuge
Sanibel,FL