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CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLORIDA'S AQUATIC PRESERVE ACT 

This year, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975, a landmark piece of legislation that has protected Florida’s most treasured aquatic areas for half a century.  

Join us in commemorating this historic milestone and the enduring legacy of protecting Florida’s pristine waters and aquatic ecosystems!

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What is Florida’s Aquatic Preserve Act? 
In 1975, the Florida Legislature passed the Aquatic Preserve Act, ensuring the protection of Florida’s waters for generations to come. 

Over the past 50 years, the Act has led to the establishment of 43 aquatic preserves and three National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs), areas spanning over millions of acres, safeguarding critical habitats, promoting biodiversity and supporting sustainable recreation and economic opportunities.  

What work is done at aquatic preserves?

Aquatic Preserve (AP) teams across Florida engage in various crucial projects within the preserve boundaries.

Some of these projects include: 

• Water quality monitoring.

• Debris management.

• Seagrass restoration.

• Oyster reef restoration.

• Flora and fauna replanting.

• Coral reef restoration and protection.

• Animal habitat protection projects.

And more!

Did you know?

Some APs are also located within or near Florida State Parks? Visit Resilience and Coastal Protection's Aquatic Preserve Program website to learn more about each AP, ongoing projects, research and their locations.

Why we celebrate:  

This yearlong celebration invites you to discover, explore and connect with Florida’s APs and the legacy of the Aquatic Preserve Act.

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Explore Florida’s Aquatic Preserve Regions 

The Resilience and Coastal Protection team manages Florida’s APs across five distinct regions. Each region offers unique landscapes, species and cultural heritage worth celebrating.  

Big Bend Region: 

Discover Florida's untouched and undeveloped shorelines with lush seagrasses and marshes. There are five APs in the Big Bend Region: 

1. Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve.

2. St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.

3. Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve.

4. Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve.

5. Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve.

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Northwest Region: 

Experience the clear, spring-fed waters and thriving estuarine habitats of the Florida Panhandle. There are eight APs and one NERR in the Northwest Region:

1. Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve.

2. Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve.

3. Rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve.

4. St. Andrews Aquatic Preserve.

5. St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve.

6. Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve.

7. Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve.

8. Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve.

9. Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve.

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Northeast Region: 

Explore the iconic coastal waterways shaped by Florida’s major rivers, marshes and estuaries. There are 13 APs and one NERR in the Northeast Region:

1. Fort Clinch Aquatic Preserve.

2. Nassau River - St. Johns River Marshes Aquatic Preserve.

3. Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR).

4. Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve.

5. Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve.

6. Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserve.

7. Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve.

8. Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve.

9. Banana River Aquatic Preserve.

10. Indian River - Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve.

11. Indian River - Vero Beach to Fort Pierce Aquatic Preserve.

12. Jensen Beach to Jupiter Inlet Aquatic Preserve.

13. North Fork, St. Lucie Aquatic Preserve.

14. Loxahatchee River - Lake Worth Creek Aquatic Preserve.

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Southeast Region: 

Experience Florida’s only near-shore coral reef teeming with marine life and iconic coastal beauty. There are five APs in the Southeast Region:

1. Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve.

2. Biscayne Bay - Cape Florida to Monroe County Line Aquatic Preserve.

3. Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve.

4. Lignumvitae Key Aquatic Preserve.

5. Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve.

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Southwest Region: 

Engage with the vibrant mangrove systems and Gulf-front aquatic wonders. There are twelve APs and one NERR in the Southwest Region:

1. Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve.

2. Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve.  

3. Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve.  

4. Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.  

5. Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve.  

6. Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve.  

7. Gasparilla Sound - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve.  

8. Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve.  

9. Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve.  

10. Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve.  

11. Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

12. Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve.  

13. Cape Romano - Ten Thousand Islands Aquatic Preserve.  

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Each region hosts annual events and educational efforts for all ages designed to showcase their initiatives and highlight the importance of their preservation efforts. 

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Upcoming APA 50th Events: Don’t miss the next celebration near you! 

Jan. 31, 2025: I-75 Welcome Center Kickoff Celebration with Northwest Region and Big Bend Region Experts – Jennings, FL.   

March 11, 2025: Girl Scout Day at the Capitol – Tallahassee, FL.

April 1, 2025: Oceans Day at the Capitol – Tallahassee, FL. 

June TBD: I-95 Welcome Center Celebration with Northeast Region Experts – Yulee, FL.

September TBD: I-10 Welcome Center Celebration with Northwest Region Experts – Pensacola, FL.

Regional Events: Join the regions during their seasonal events.

Northwest Region:

Feb. 1, 2025: Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves' Bay Day. For more information, visit the Friends of St.Joseph's Bay site.

Big Bend Region:

Check back here for regional events coming up!

Northeast Region:

Check back here for regional events coming up!

Southwest Region:

Check back here for regional events coming up!

Southeast Region:

Check back here for regional events coming up!