Aquatic Preserves

"Explored on canoe or kayak, the wild and scenic waters can easily transport an open mind back in time to the good old days of Trapper Nelson."

"The Indian River Lagoon, America's most diverse and beautiful estuary, is vital to our economy and environment, yet its future is uncertain. Preserving and protecting the lagoon is beneficial to ours and future generations."  - Richard Baker, president of Pelican Island Audubon Society

• The Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve encompasses the entire length of the Rainbow River.
• The river begins at Rainbow Springs and empties into the Withlacoochee River 5.7 miles to the south.
• Rainbow Springs is Florida's fourth largest spring.
• The 72 degree F clear water is home to 23 species of fish representing seven families of fishes.
• This area is rich in cultural resources dating back to 7000 to 3000 B.C.

Resource Management 

The aquatic preserve partners with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (S

"As the only deep-water harbor between Tampa and Key West, greater Charlotte Harbor is blessed with a rich abundance and diversity of marine life and requires our constant and continued efforts to ensure the future health of its waters."  -- Anna Bowditch, Honorary Member of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Advisory Committee

"St. Andrews Bay is one of the most highly diverse estuaries in America, with over 2,900 species. On any given day, you can find almost anything in the clear waters of St. Andrews Bay. It is also one of the most fragile coastal estuaries that needs our continued protection." - Mike Brim, Executive Director, St. Andrews Bay Environmental Science Team

"Very rarely can you be on the water or stand at the water's edge and see a shoreline as protected as Pine Island Sound. It is rimmed with mangroves and other vegetation that protect both the surrounding land and the water within." - Erick Lindblad, former executive director for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

"This aquatic preserve is the essence of the southwest Florida estuary - teeming with life, exquisite in form and extremely sensitive to human-caused impacts. It is one of our many jewels in southwest Florida and we have a duty to protect this valuable preserve!" - Bob Janes, former Lee County Commissioner