Beyond the Boundaries: Florida’s Gulf Coast

The National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Beyond the Boundaries Program helps refuges work in strategic collaboration with surrounding communities to advance landscape-level conservation efforts.

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge/Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Composed of mangrove islands, canals, and warm freshwater springs, Crystal River NWR provides important habitat for wood stork, bald eagles, osprey and migratory birds, as well as the endangered (and beloved) West Indian manatee. © Evan Hirsche

Florida’s Gulf Coast may be known for its calm waters, sandy beaches and winter visitors, but there is a stretch on the central coast where it’s the manatees that draw most of the attention. At Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, administered within the Chassahowitzka Refuge Complex, manatee cows and calves bask in warm springs during the cold winter months. But, development, pollution, and disturbance threaten the spring waters of Kings Bay -- the headwaters of Crystal River – and in turn, threaten the manatees.

Surrounded by cypress swamp, and composed of a series of canals, and warm freshwater springs, Crystal River NWR provides important habitat for wood stork, bald eagles, osprey and migratory birds, as well as the endangered (and beloved) West Indian manatee.

Since 2007, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has been working with Crystal River NWR and the Friends of Chassahowitzka NWR Complex to add a key property to the Refuge System and to build public awareness and support for manatee conservation.

 

Key Conservation and Management Challenges

Development: The proposed development of a 58-acre property known as the Three Sisters Springs posed a direct threat to the health and viability of five critical warm water springs and to the status of the manatee. The property is owned by a developer that received planning approvals to build several hundred housing units and to remove and bottle spring water for commercial use.

Water Quality: Located very close to the City of Crystal River’s business district, the Three Sisters Springs property forms a buffer between the impervious surfaces and developed area and the canals and waters of Kings Bay. If the property were to be developed, this filtration and buffer role would cease, instead bringing more runoff directly into Kings Bay.

Wildlife Protection and Recreation: Manatees provide an international tourist draw to Crystal River, and there are many boating and snorkeling businesses that promote swimming with the manatees. In moderation this can be tenable, but there is great danger of disturbing manatee cows with calves that are taking shelter in the warm springs and driving them into colder waters.

 

 

NWRA At Work: 2009 Agenda

Management Strategy: The Three Sisters Springs property has been a conservation priority for community and conservation groups for decades. At the request of the Refuge and the Friends of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex, NWRA has been working to coordinate a multi-partner, multi-faceted conservation strategy that begins with the acquisition of the property and includes both habitat improvement and a creative visitor services plan.

Land Conservation: The Conservation Fund has negotiated an agreement to purchase the Three Sisters Springs property from the current landowner. NWRA has been working with the Friends of Chassahowitzka, the Refuge, the City of Crystal River, and many others to secure the necessary funding from multiple public and private sources.

Wetlands Restoration: The Southwest Florida Water Management District will acquire a portion of the property specifically for wetlands restoration to improve water quality as it flows into Kings Bay and Crystal River. Creating wetland impoundments will also provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds.

Environmental Education: The Three Sisters Springs property is ideally sited to become a central community resource for environmental education and ecotourism. The conservation strategy includes plans to build public amenities, including a state-of-the-art green-built education center, outdoor manatee viewing platforms, walking trails and links to community bike trails.

 

Supporting NWRA’s Florida Gulf Coast Program

Project Partners:
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Crystal River NWR
Chassahowitzka NWR
Friends of Chassahowitzka NWR Complex
The Conservation Fund
Florida Communities Trust Florida Forever Program
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Citrus County
Citrus 20/20
The City of Crystal River
Save the Manatee Club
Save Three Sister Springs
The Felburn Foundation
Jane’s Trust
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant program
many other community members and partners

NWRA's Beyond the Boundaries programs are funded by foundation grants, grants from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and contributions from individuals. To support NWRA's work to conserve refuge landscapes through the Beyond the Boundaries program, please visit our donation page or contact Anne Truslow, Vice President of Strategic Programs and Development, at atruslow@refugeassociation.org.