Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge

The Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located within the Matlacha Pass estuary, approximately 8 miles northwest of Cape Coral, Florida. The 538 acre (2.2 km2) refuge was established on September 26, 1908. It is administered as part of the J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge Complex.FloraTrees that can be seen here include red mangrove, black mangrove, white mangrove, buttonwood and cabbage palm . Also found in the area are tropical species such as seagrape, Florida strangler fig and gumbo limbo .FaunaSome of the threatened or endangered animal species which make the refuge home are the West Indian Manatee, American crocodile, eastern indigo snake, wood stork and bald eagle.