Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge

Endangered Species Bulletin, Jan, 1998 by Duane DeFreese, Sandy MacPherson

About 61 percent of the available beachfront acquisitions for the refuge have been completed. Of the original 9.3 miles of beachfront identified for acquisition, approximately 4.7 miles (7.5 km) have been acquired and 3.0 miles (4.8 km) are awaiting purchase. The remaining 1.6 miles (2.5 km) have been purchased for private development and are no longer available for the refuge. Escalating coastal development in Brevard and Indian River Counties threatens the parcels awaiting acquisition, and could result in increased lighting and beach armoring, which interfere with successful nesting. A narrow window of opportunity is left to acquire tile remaining available lands needed for the refuge. Successful completion and responsible management of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge are essential to ensure the long-term protection of its pristine nesting beaches for future generations of people and wildlife.

Dr. DeFreese is the Program Coordinator for the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program in Viera, Florida. Sandy MacPherson is the FWS Southeast Region's Sea Turtle Recovery Coordinator in the Jacksonville, Florida, Field Office.