Apalachicola Reserve

Located in one of the most productive estuarine systems in the northern hemisphere, Florida’s Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve spans three barrier islands and a large part of the Apalachicola River, the bay and its tributaries. The Reserve’s 246,766 acres provide a forage area for migratory birds and support a local fishing industry worth $16 million annually. After the 2012 collapse of a local oyster fishery, the reserve has prioritized oyster restoration and worked extensively with partners to conduct research, training, and educational programs.