Florida

Big Cypress National Preserve

Submitted by siteadmin on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:25

Big Cypress National Preserve
H.C.R. 61, Box 110
Ochopee, FL 34141

Phone: 239-695-2000

This large area protects the watershed for the threatened ecosystem of South Florida. Subtropical plant and animal life abounds in a park that is home to endangered species such as the Florida panther and the red-cockaded woodpecker.

Biscayne National Park

Submitted by siteadmin on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:26

Biscayne National Park
9700 SW 328 Street
Homestead, FL 33033-5634

Phone: 305-230-7275

Subtropical islands form a north-south chain, with Biscayne Bay on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The park protects interrelated marine systems including mangrove shoreline, bay communities, subtropical keys, and the northernmost coral reef in the United States.

Canaveral National Seashore

Submitted by siteadmin on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:27

Canaveral National Seashore
308 Julia Street
Titusville, FL 32796-3521

Phone: 321-267-1110

Twenty-five miles of undeveloped barrier island preserve the natural beach, dune, marsh, and lagoon habitats for many species of birds. The Kennedy Space Center occupies the southern end of the island and temporary closures are possible due to launch-related activities.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Submitted by siteadmin on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:27

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
1 Castillo Drive South
St.Augustine, FL 32084-3699

Phone: 904-829-6506

Construction of this, the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, was started in 1672 by the Spanish to protect St.Augustine, first permanent settlement by Europeans in the continental United States, 1565. The floor plan is the result of modernization work done in the 18th century.

De Soto National Memorial

Submitted by siteadmin on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:28

De Soto National Memorial
P.O. Box 15390
Bradenton, FL 34280-5390

Phone: 941-792-0458

The landing of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in Florida in 1539 and the first extensive organized exploration of what is now the southern United States by Europeans are commemorated here.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Submitted by siteadmin on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:28

Dry Tortugas National Park
c/o Everglades National Park
40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733

Phone: 305-242-7700

Fort Jefferson was built 1846-66 to help control the Florida Straits. It is the largest all-masonry fortification in the Western world. The bird refuge and marine life are notable features.

Everglades National Park

Submitted by siteadmin on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:29

Everglades National Park
40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733

Phone: 305-242-7700

This largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the coterminous United States has extensive freshwater and saltwater areas, open sawgrass prairies, and mangrove forests. Abundant wildlife includes rare and colorful birds.

Fort Caroline National Memorial

Submitted by siteadmin on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:29

Fort Caroline National Memorial
12713 Fort Caroline Road
Jacksonville, FL 32225-1240

Phone: 904-641-7155

Two centuries of French and Spanish colonial rivalry in North America began here with the establishment of a French Huguenot settlement, 1564-65.

Fort Matanzas National Monument

Submitted by siteadmin on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:30

Fort Matanzas National Monument
c/o Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
1 Castillo Drive South
St.Augustine, FL 32084-3699

Phone: 904-471-0116

This Spanish fort was built, 1740-42, to warn St. Augustine of British or other enemy approach from the south.

Gulf Islands National Seashore