Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to the Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge located on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River in Lee County, Florida.

Refuge History: Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge was established on July 1, 1920 by executive order of President Woodrow Wilson in order to help protect habitat for native birds and prevent shoreline development of the land. Today, the warm waters from the nearby Florida Power and Light Company’s Orange River Power Plant help to provide a wintering area for the endangered West Indian Manatee. This is very interesting how the power plant actually helps the manatee. Due to the fragility of this ecosystem, this refuge is not open to the public.