Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller
Date: December 4, 2023
Located just north of the NASA Kennedy Space Center, this refuge is one of the most productive estuaries in the USA. Habitats in the 140,000 acres include coastal dunes, saltwater marshes, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. One of the largest and most diverse wildlife preserves in Florida and supports one of the highest numbers of threatened and endangered species anywhere in the USA. KSC is located on a barrier island called Merritt Island, 34 miles long, 5 to 10 miles wide. 1/25 of the island is used for space shuttle operations. Wildlife conservation is the top priority in the refuge and these habitats protect migratory birds and more than 1,500 species of plants and animals. Merritt Island is also part of the Great Florida Birding Trail for a good reason as out of the 358 species of birds we saw hawks, eagles, egrets, herons, ducks, sandpiper, gulls, anhinga and many more. We hiked several trails in the refuge and saw many alligators but did not see any manatees at the Allenhurst observation area. A short drive east in the refuge off Kennedy Parkway we arrived at the Atlantic Ocean and the southern end of the beautiful Canaveral National Seashore.
