Explore Brevard County's Outdoor Recreation

Brevard County is home to many unique natural environments. It is a place where you can enjoy Florida’s true beauty. There are many nature centers and nature trails that you can visit to enjoy a place with amazing sites, discovery and quiet relaxation.

In addition to recreation parks, Brevard County's landmark Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program acquires unique habitat that support a variety of different flora and fauna and are also available for passive recreational activity.

Below is list of County parks, nature centers, and other natural areas popular for recreation and wildlife viewing.

South Central Regional Wastewater System

This created wetland system provides final wastewater treatment as well as habitat for an outstanding abundance of birds and other wildlife.  It has become a regular venue for bird watching groups and tours.  It is located at the west end of Wickham Road in Viera.  Click here for a map and information: http://ww3.brevardcounty.us/water-resources/brochure.cfm

Wuesthoff Park & Nature Center

25 acres

Ecosystem Type: wetlands, hardwood hammock, upland pine forest.

Native plant & Animal Life

Pictures available at http://www.brevardparks.com/nature/wuesthoff_trail.htm

Nature Center at Rotary Park, Merritt Island

37.77 acres

Ecosystem Type: Wetlands, Scrublands, Native Flora and Fauna.

Pictures available at http://www.brevardparks.com/nature/rotary_trail.htm

Johnnie Johnson Nature Center at Lori Wilson Park

32.43 acres

Boardwalk through maritime hammock

Birding during (October & March)

Pictures Available at http://www.brevardparks.com/nature/loriwilson_trail.htm

Erna Nixon Park and Nature Center

53.93 Acres

Gopher Tortoise & Indigo Snake

Ecosystem Type: grand old live oaks & wild grape arbor.

All of Brevard’s Nature Parks can be accessed at: http://www.brevardparks.com/nature/index.html

Below is a list of Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) sites that are more natural than other parks and also serve conservation purposes. These sites (below) are open to the public. The purpose of EEL sanctuaries are to manage and preserve native habitats and the plants and animals that live there. Click on the link below to explore some of the different EEL sites.

Buck Lake Conservation Area

9,638 acres

Ecosystem Type: scrubby flatwoods, oak hammock, basin swamps, wet prairies, flood plain marshes and marsh lake.

Wildlife : Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoise, bald eagle, otter, deer, bobcat, alligator, turkey

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary

428 acres

Ecosystem Type: scrub, mesic hammock, hydric hammock, wet prairie, and pine flatwoods

Wildlife: Florida scrub lizard, white-tailed deer, eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise, bobcat, pileated woodpecker, butterflies, wild turkey

Helen and Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary

140 acres

Ecosystem Type: pine flatwoods and scrub

Wildlife: gopher tortoise, Florida scrub-jay, bobwhite, quail

Jordan Scrub Sanctuary

354 acres

Ecosystem Type: seasonal marshes, scrubby flatwoods, and lakes
Wildlife: Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoise, bobcat, wood stork, bald eagle, osprey

Malabar Scrub Sanctuary

395 acres
Ecosystem type: xeric (dry) hammock, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, pine flatwoods, sand pine scrub, ponds, sloughs, and depression marshes
Wildlife: Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoise, bobcat, river otter, pileated woodpecker, great horned owl, sandhill crane

Coconut Point Sanctuary

62 acres

Ecosystem Type: coastal strand, oak scrub, coastal oak forest, and mangrove swamp
Wildlife: wading birds, osprey, Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoise, dolphin, eastern indigo snake

Barrier Island Center Trail

40 acres

Ecosystem Type: dune, coastal strand, maritime hammock, and mangrove forest
Wildlife: roseate spoonbil,l osprey, alligator, bobcat, screech owl, giant land crab

All EEL sites can be accessed at http://www.eelbrevard.com/eel/lands/index.htm

Other non-County conservation lands include:

Sebastian Inlet State Park: http://www.floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet/default.cfm

Indian River Lagoon State Park: http://www.floridastateparks.org/indianriver/default.cfm

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR): http://merrittisland.fws.gov/

St. Johns River Water Management District: http://sjr.state.fl.us/programs/outreach/pubs/recguide/recguide.html

Pelican Island & Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuges, Vero Beach, FL:  http://pelicanisland.fws.gov

Interesting Outdoor Recreation Economic Facts

Did you know?

On average, every hectare (2.47 acres) of forests contributes $4,700 in revenue per year through recreational activities. *

Every hectare (2.47 acres) of swamps contributes $3,200 in revenue per year through recreational activities. *

Reference:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/acquisition/P2000/ECONOMIC.htm*