Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is located seven miles west of the city of Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida. The refuge was established in 1951 under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act and is managed through a license agreement between the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In total, the refuge includes nearly 145,000 acres of northern Everglades habitat. The refuge contains one of three water conservation areas (WCAs) in south Florida and is maintained to provide water storage and flood control, as well as habitat for native fish and wildlife populations. Water is regulated by a series of pumps, canals, water control structures, and levees built by the Army Corps of Engineers. These freshwater storage areas and part of the Everglades National Park are all that remain of the original Everglades.{{cite web|title=U.S. Fish and Wildlife -- Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge -- Overview|url=http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=41560}}

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, the area has a monsoon climate, abbreviated "Am" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in the refuge was {{convert|103|F|C|1}} on July 27, 1962, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|24|F|C|1}} on January 20, 1977 and January 12, 1982.

{{Weather box

|location = Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1940–present

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = Yes

|Jan record high F = 90

|Feb record high F = 91

|Mar record high F = 96

|Apr record high F = 98

|May record high F = 98

|Jun record high F = 100

|Jul record high F = 103

|Aug record high F = 99

|Sep record high F = 98

|Oct record high F = 95

|Nov record high F = 92

|Dec record high F = 95

|Jan avg record high F = 83.6

|Feb avg record high F = 85.0

|Mar avg record high F = 87.3

|Apr avg record high F = 89.1

|May avg record high F = 91.3

|Jun avg record high F = 93.1

|Jul avg record high F = 93.8

|Aug avg record high F = 93.9

|Sep avg record high F = 92.6

|Oct avg record high F = 90.2

|Nov avg record high F = 86.5

|Dec avg record high F = 84.9

|year avg record high F = 94.9

|Jan high F = 74.7

|Feb high F = 76.9

|Mar high F = 79.3

|Apr high F = 82.5

|May high F = 85.5

|Jun high F = 88.4

|Jul high F = 89.8

|Aug high F = 90.1

|Sep high F = 88.6

|Oct high F = 85.5

|Nov high F = 80.2

|Dec high F = 77.4

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 65.1

|Feb mean F = 67.3

|Mar mean F = 70.1

|Apr mean F = 73.3

|May mean F = 76.8

|Jun mean F = 80.5

|Jul mean F = 81.9

|Aug mean F = 82.3

|Sep mean F = 81.2

|Oct mean F = 77.9

|Nov mean F = 72.1

|Dec mean F = 68.5

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 55.5

|Feb low F = 57.7

|Mar low F = 60.8

|Apr low F = 64.2

|May low F = 68.1

|Jun low F = 72.5

|Jul low F = 74.1

|Aug low F = 74.4

|Sep low F = 73.7

|Oct low F = 70.3

|Nov low F = 63.9

|Dec low F = 59.7

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 40.6

|Feb avg record low F = 43.7

|Mar avg record low F = 46.8

|Apr avg record low F = 52.5

|May avg record low F = 60.5

|Jun avg record low F = 68.2

|Jul avg record low F = 69.7

|Aug avg record low F = 71.0

|Sep avg record low F = 69.7

|Oct avg record low F = 60.6

|Nov avg record low F = 50.5

|Dec avg record low F = 45.7

|year avg record low F = 38.1

|Jan record low F = 24

|Feb record low F = 27

|Mar record low F = 27

|Apr record low F = 35

|May record low F = 47

|Jun record low F = 56

|Jul record low F = 62

|Aug record low F = 62

|Sep record low F = 60

|Oct record low F = 42

|Nov record low F = 33

|Dec record low F = 26

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 3.34

|Feb precipitation inch = 2.81

|Mar precipitation inch = 3.03

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.07

|May precipitation inch = 4.97

|Jun precipitation inch = 9.73

|Jul precipitation inch = 6.69

|Aug precipitation inch = 8.28

|Sep precipitation inch = 8.60

|Oct precipitation inch = 6.36

|Nov precipitation inch = 3.69

|Dec precipitation inch = 3.06

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 9.9

|Feb precipitation days = 8.0

|Mar precipitation days = 8.1

|Apr precipitation days = 7.7

|May precipitation days = 10.7

|Jun precipitation days = 17.7

|Jul precipitation days = 17.8

|Aug precipitation days = 19.3

|Sep precipitation days = 17.4

|Oct precipitation days = 13.5

|Nov precipitation days = 9.1

|Dec precipitation days = 9.9

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|unit snow days = 0.1 in

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|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00085184&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Loxahatchee NWR, FL

|access-date = June 21, 2024

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=mfl

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Miami

|access-date = June 21, 2024

}}

}}

In 2016, the South Florida Water Management District announced that it was providing notice to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it would cancel the lease of the property to the federal government for failure to control invasive species.{{cite web|title=SFWMD Governing Board Adopts Statement of Principles|url=http://myemail.constantcontact.com/SFWMD-Governing-Board-Approves-Statement-of-Principles-for-Water-Conservation-Area-1.html?soid=1117910826311&aid=88sz1u8pCJw|website=SWMD|publisher=South Florida Water Management District}} SFWMD is believed to have created the invasive species problem in the first place.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Kimberly|title=Water managers ready to keep wildlife refuge open even if feds evicted|url=http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/news/opinion/editorial-water-district-should-drop-its-beef-with/ns8cY/}} It is believed that this approach is being taken to allow for polluted water in excess of 10 ppb phosphorus to be stored on the land.{{cite web|last1=Smart|first1=Gil|title=Gil Smart: Loxahatchee battle a dispute over money...and maybe more|url=http://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/columnists/gil-smart/2016/11/23/gil-smart-loxahatchee-battle-dispute-over-moneyand-maybe-more/94226412/|website=TCPalm|publisher=TCPalm}}

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge's management activities focus primarily on wetland habitat restoration, particularly through water quality and hydropattern improvement, and exotic plant control. A large portion of refuge management effort is spent controlling exotic and invasive plants and pursuing funding to eliminate these threats. The three most problematic exotic plant species on the refuge are melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, and Old World climbing fern (lygodium). The refuge is working together with many other federal agencies and state agencies regionally in South Florida to address these issues and restore Everglades habitat for the benefit of wildlife.

Image:Loxahatchee boardwalk.jpg

Loxahatchee NWR is one of over 500 national wildlife refuges located throughout the United States and administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge not only preserves and protects native wildlife, but also offers compatible public recreational and educational opportunities including walking trails, a canoe trail, bike trail, boat ramps, fishing platform, observation towers, butterfly garden, and a visitor center. It is home to American alligator, the endangered snail kite, coastal plain cooter and Florida softshell turtles, and as many as 257 species of birds. As such, it has been designated a 'gateway site' for the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Not quite all of the {{convert|145188|acre|km2|adj=on}} refuge is Everglades marsh habitat. A {{convert|400|acre|km2|adj=on}} bald cypress swamp is the largest remaining remnant of a cypress strand that once separated the pine flatwoods in the east from the Everglades marshes. A boardwalk into the swamp gives the visitor a chance for an up-close swamp experience without getting their feet wet. Hurricane Wilma damaged the refuge in October 2005, and the administration building was condemned. The Lee Road fishing pier was damaged by Hurricane Irma and will remain closed until further notice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=2147613299|title=Boat ramps, canoe trail and fishing pier closures - Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|website=www.fws.gov|access-date=2018-05-01}}

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge-sign.jpg|Sign at Hillsboro Area trailhead

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge-Visitor Center.jpg|Visitor Center at Boynton Beach

Heliconius charitonius-dorsal.jpg|Zebra Longwing at the butterfly garden

Eudocimus albus-standing.jpg|American white ibis by the boardwalk

;Conservation

Despite all of its treasures, the refuge is in serious danger of quickly becoming an exclusive haven for invasive plants, especially the broad-leaved paper bark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), both rapidly growing non-native species, which are quickly overgrowing the native flora and are likely not compatible with the native wildlife.

The refuge allows multiple activities in the park such as, fishing, hunting, hiking and also offers guided tours.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ARM_Loxahatchee/visit/visitor_activities.html|title=Visitor Activities - Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|website=www.fws.gov|access-date=2018-05-01}} Fishing is allowed in only three areas of the refuge which are Hillsboro, Headquarters and the 20-mile bend. All fishermen must also carry a valid fishing license in the state of Florida.{{Cite web|url=http://myfwc.com/|title=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission|website=myfwc.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-01}} There are also over 16 different species of fish present within the refuge that are able to be caught. Hunting is allowed within the refuge to manage wildlife populations. It is one of 330 refuges open to the population for hunting.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ARM_Loxahatchee/visit/visitor_activities/hunting.html|title=Hunting - Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|website=www.fws.gov|access-date=2018-05-01}} Waterfowl hunting is permitted in the late fall and early winter months. All hunters are required to possess a valid Florida State Hunting License{{Cite web|url=http://myfwc.com/license/recreational|title=Recreational Hunting & Fishing Licenses & Permits|website=myfwc.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-01}} and a Florida State Duck Stamp.{{Cite web|url=http://myfwc.com/license/recreational/hunting/federal-duck-stamp/|title=Migratory birds and waterfowl|website=myfwc.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-01}} Alligator hunting is only available by permit from the state of Florida. There are also numerous hiking trails throughout the refuge. One is a bald cypress swamp boardwalk that is located directly behind the visitor center. The others are accessible through the Lee Road parking lot. The refuge also offers guided tours throughout the year. They offer, canoe tours, night walks and tram tours by reservation only.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ARM_Loxahatchee/visit/visitor_activities/events.html|title=Calendar of Events - Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|website=www.fws.gov|access-date=2018-05-01}}

• Everglades
• Everglades National Park

{{Clear}}

File:LoxahatcheeTurtle.jpg

File:LoxahatcheeGator.jpg

File:LoxahatcheeAnhinga.jpg

{{Reflist}}

{{Include-USGov|agency=United States Fish and Wildlife Service}}

• [http://www.fws.gov/refuge/arm_loxahatchee/ Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge]
• [http://www.loxahatcheefriends.com/ Friends of Loxahatchee]
• {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120721155143/http://www.artmarshall.org/ The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation]}}
• [http://www.evergladestrail.org/ The Everglades Trail]
• {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130628023426/http://www.loxahatcheepermits.com/ Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Passes & Permits]}} - official pass / permit purchase site

{{Commons category|Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge|position=left}}

{{Everglades}}

{{Protected areas of Florida}}

{{National Wildlife Refuges of the United States}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Protected areas of Palm Beach County, Florida

Category:National Wildlife Refuges in Florida

Category:Marshes of Florida

Category:Landforms of Palm Beach County, Florida

Category:1951 establishments in Florida

Category:Protected areas established in 1951