Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is a 145,188-acre protected wetland west of Boynton Beach that preserves the northernmost remnant of the historic Everglades. Established in 1951, it is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and serves both as wildlife habitat and as part of south Florida’s water storage and flood-control system. Its marshes, cypress swamp, and managed waters support rich birdlife, alligators, turtles, and the endangered snail kite. Restoration work has focused on water quality, natural water patterns, and controlling invasive plants, while public use emphasizes low-impact recreation, education, and limited hunting and fishing.