comprised of over 31,000 acres of saltwater bays, estuaries and brackish marshes at the

mouth of the Chassahowitzka River. The refuge, located approximately 65 miles north of

St. Petersburg, FL, was established primarily to protect waterfowl habitat and is home to

over 250 species of birds, over 50 species of retiles and amphibians, and at least 25

different species of mammals, including the endangered West Indian Manatee.