Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge is a 53,000-acre protected area on Florida’s Gulf coast, established in 1979 to preserve one of the nation’s largest undeveloped river delta systems along the Suwannee River estuary and nearby coastline. Its swamps, forests, tidal creeks, islands, and salt marshes support abundant wildlife, including hundreds of bird species, manatees, Gulf sturgeon, and bottlenose dolphins, while also serving as a nursery for fish, shrimp, shellfish, and young sea turtles. The refuge also contains Shell Mound and other evidence of ancient habitation. After earlier timber use, later management focused on habitat restoration, conservation, research, and low-impact recreation.