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Wildlife Viewing

Florida is a wildlife viewer’s dream location! Our state’s amazing array of habitats makes Florida an ideal destination to experience the natural world. These habitats are home to more than 700 terrestrial animals, 200 freshwater fish and more than 500 marine fish and mammals. Numerous other aquatic insects and invertebrates, such as butterflies, add to the allure.  From nature centers to back-country trails, the FWC’s Wildlife Management Areas and the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail are perfect places for your next wildlife viewing adventure.

Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail

The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail is a network of nearly 500 sites throughout Florida selected for their excellent birdwatching, wildlife viewing or educational opportunities. This 2,000-mile, self-guided highway trail is designed to conserve and enhance Florida's wildlife habitats by promoting birdwatching and wildlife viewing activities, conservation education and economic opportunity.

Wildlife Management Areas

Florida's Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to sustain the widest possible range of native wildlife in their natural habitats. These lands are more rugged than parks, with fewer developed amenities. This system includes more than 6 million acres of land established as WMAs or Wildlife and Environmental Areas (WEAs), which include Mitigation Parks.