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Designated in 1999, the Guana - Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
(GTM Reserve) is the
Nation’s 25th Research Reserve. The GTM Reserve is a federal/state partnership with the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection as the state program administrator. The Reserve encompasses approximately 60,000
acres of salt marsh and mangrove tidal wetlands, oyster bars, estuarine lagoons, upland habitat and offshore
seas in St. Johns and Flagler Counties. This estuarine ecological system produces a rich abundance of marine
life including numerous commercially and recreationally valuable species.
The Reserve contains the northern most
extent of mangrove habitat on the east coast of the United States. The coastal waters of the GTM
Reserve are
important calving grounds for the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. Manatees, wood storks, roseate
spoonbills, bald eagles and peregrine falcons find refuge in the
Reserve.
The Reserve is geographically separated into a northern section where the Tolomato and Guana Rivers mix with
the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and a southern section along the Matanzas River, extending from Moses Creek
to south of Pellicer Creek. The reserve is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Augustine Inlet and the
Matanzas Inlet.
The GTM Reserve provides opportunities for long-term
research, education, and interpretation. The National Estuarine
Research Reserve System is one part of the solution for maintaining healthy
coastal resources. Research Reserves' research, education, and resource stewardship programs are tools that can help fill gaps
in knowledge, and guide decision-making so that our estuaries can sustain multiple uses over the long term.
The GTM Reserve is comprised of lands and waters managed by a number of local, state and federal agencies. The
protection and management of these natural communities and their valuable functions is shared among the 14
conservation properties and each managing agency. Primary management of these lands is done by the property’s
lead agency to fulfill their mission as well as contributing to the proper functioning of the entire GTM estuary.
The GTM Reserve has direct management responsibility for GTM Reserve – Guana River, Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve and
Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve.
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GTM Reserve
Environmental Education Center
505 Guana River Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
(904)823-4500
Fax (904)825-6829
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GTM Reserve– Marineland Office
9741 Ocean Shore Blvd
St. Augustine, FL 32080
(904)461-4054
Fax (904)461-4056
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