Martin, 229 Acres of Public Hunting Land for Predator, Exotics – Martin, Florida

Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 565 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System - a network of lands set aside and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife. The area consists of 1,091 acres, bisected by the Indian River Lagoon into two tracts: the Jupiter Island tract and the mainland tract. On Jupiter Island, the Refuge contains the largest contiguous section of undeveloped beach in Southeastern Florida and is considered one of the most productive sea turtle nesting areas in the Southeastern United States. The mainland tract contains one of the few remaining publicly owned sand pine scrub communities. This community type is important to the Refuge because it is where the majority of the Refuge’s listed species reside. The Indian River Lagoon and its associated mangrove communities are also important because they provide habitat for over 2,200 animals and 2,100 plants, supporting Florida’s fisheries. In general, our management strategy is to create and maintain an ideal environment for native flora and fauna to flourish.