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Stewardship

Home » Archive by Category "Stewardship"
second chance island | closure extended | rookery bay research reserve
04 Sep
Rookery Bay News, Stewardship

Rookery Bay Extends Closure of Second Chance Sandbar for Nesting Shorebirds

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
Rookery Bay Research Reserve is temporarily extending the closure of Second Chance Sandbar, a Critical Wildlife Area southeast of Cape ...

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Red Cage Fungus in Naples | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
31 Aug
Stewardship

RED CAGE FUNGUS

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar info@rookerybay.org
What the heck is that? It isn't necessarily associated with the estuary, but we've seen this interesting fungus on the grounds near our...

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Cane Toads in Naples | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
07 Jul
Stewardship

KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE AROUND CANE TOADS

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar info@rookerybay.org
Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are on the move and in the news. They are nonnative species that can be deadly to curious pets because the...

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IMPORTANT UPDATES

Briggs Boardwalk is closed until further notice due to renovations.

Restricted Icon Dark Blue | Rookery Bay Research Reserve

Camping and Reserve Restrictions

Camping Closures: April 1st – October 31st

  • Areas south of San Marco Road will be closed to camping from April 1st to October 31st due to the presence of nesting sea turtles and shorebirds. These areas will remain open for day use unless otherwise posted. This closure includes:
    • Dickmans Island
    • Kice Island
    • Blind Pass
    • Morgan Beach
    • Cape Romano
    • Gullivan Key
    • Whitehorse Key
    • Hog Key
    • Camp Lulu
  • Portions of the Reserve north of San Marco Road, including Keewaydin Island, will remain open to camping year-round unless otherwise posted.

Second Chance Critical Wildlife Area / “Shell Island”

  • Second Chance (also known as Shell Island) is CLOSED March 1 - August 31, 2026, to protect nesting shorebirds.
  • Camping on Second Chance is closed all year.

The Reserve’s 110,000 acres provide campers with access to one of the few remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America. Primitive camping is allowed in designated locations within the reserve.  Review the guidelines and safety tips to ensure your next camping trip is memorable.

  • Primitive camping is allowed in "Designated Areas" marked with [tent icon] on the map above.
  • Designated camping locations north of San Marco Road are open year-round. Designated camping locations south of San Marco Road are open November 1st – March 31st.
  • Permits or reservations are not required. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Visitors found camping in locations that are not designated for this use may be asked to leave by FWC or other law enforcement entity.
  • Camping rules may be different within the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Please visit their website to follow their guidelines - https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ten-thousand-islands/visit-us/activities/camping
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