GEOGRAPHY
Guana River State Park is a 2,400 acre coastal park located on a barrier island midway between St. Augustine and Jacksonville, Florida on State Highway A1A. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway (Tolomato River), the Guana Tract, which includes a Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Wildlife Management Area to the north, comprises some 12,000 acres of public conservation and recreational land.

A cross section of the barrier island from east to west within the park would reveal the following natural communities: Atlantic Ocean beach, sand dunes, coastal strand/scrub, estuarine river (Guana River) with associated salt marshes and tidal creeks, maritime hardwood hammock, freshwater depression marshes, pond pine flatwoods and shell mound forest.

HISTORY

Sanchez Mound

Guana River State Park contains seventeen known significant historic or pre-historic cultural sites. Extensive shell middens exist, especially at Shell Bluff Landing and Wright's Landing, along the Tolomato River. The Shell Bluff site also contains an early I9th century Minorcan coquina block well and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Wright's Landing site is believed to be the location of a 17th century Spanish mission, the Nativity of our Lady of Tolomato. The site also contains a prehistoric earthen burial mound and has been nominated as a National Register site.

A 1592 account by a Spanish historian has led present day historians to believe that Guana River was the site of Ponce de Leon's first landing in Florida. Its precise

The land was purchased with Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) Save Our Coast funds by the State of Florida in 1984. The tract was privately owned and open to the public for hunting and fishing prior to state acquisition. During the period of private ownership, the Guana River was dammed in 1957, to flood the upstream marshes in order to enhance wintering waterfowl habitat. The result was the creation of the present-day Guana Lake. The lake water is brackish near its southern terminus at Guana Dam and gradually turns into a freshwater reservoir as one travels away from the dam. Both saltwater and freshwater fish species exist in the same body of water.

RESOURCES
Guana River State Park abounds in natural and cultural resources. Its diverse association of nine natural communities accounts for the presence of a wide variety of resident and migratory wildlife species. Because of the park's location near St. Augustine, it has inherited a rich history of Spanish, British and early American territorial occupation. Historic and pre-historic artifacts found here along the Tolomato River have yielded evidence of almost continuous human occupation for over 5,000 years.

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WILDLIFE
Many threatened or endangered wildlife species inhabit or spend part of their lives in this diversity of habitats. Marine mammals such as porpoises and whales including the highly endangered northern right whale can be seen from our beach. Three species of sea turtles plus shorebirds like the least tern nest on our 4.2 mile undeveloped sandy beach. The park's magnificent 30-40 foot tall dunes host migrating peregrine falcons and the resident (recently reintroduced) Anastasia Island beach mouse.

Indigo snakes and gopher tortoises forage in the hammock, scrub and dunes. Forested areas, especially maritime hammock, provide critical resting and feeding habitats for migratory songbirds, many of which are declining in numbers at alarming rates.

Finfish and shellfish, including blue crabs and large edible shrimp, inhabit the estuarine areas around Guana Dam. Wood storks, roseate spoonbills, brown and American white pelicans, wading and diving birds, waterfowl, as well as American alligators and river otters are regularly seen in and around the park's marshes, ponds and Guana Lake. Osprey and bald eagle soar overhead on their search for fish.

BIRDING
Guana River State Park is a regional mecca for wildlife observation, especially birding, in northeast Florida. Birding groups converge on the park during spring and fall songbird migrations. Especially notable is the opportunity to observe peregrine falcons in early October and, to a lesser extent, in early April. The Guana River park bird list is currently up to 226 species (and counting) and lists their relative abundance by season. One day's birding in the park easily can yield over sixty species, depending on season and weather.

FISHING
Boating and fishing are extremely popular year-round at Guana River State Park. A variety of fishing experiences can be pursued including: surf fishing in the Atlantic Ocean for whiting, pompano and bluefish; estuary fishing at Guana Dam or Shell Bluff Landing (Tolomato River) for redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder and black drum; freshwater fishing, via boat, in the northern portion of Guana Lake. Guana Lake is also famous for its crabbing and shrimping opportunities. Motors in the lake are limited in size to no more than ten horsepower. Florida freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses may be required for persons 16 years of age or older.

Most summer visitors to Guana River State Park are here to enjoy a day at the beach. The park currently has two public access facilities, consisting of parking lots and associated dune crossover boardwalks, along a 4.2 mile stretch of otherwise undeveloped beach on the Atlantic Ocean. A third such facility is planned for 1998 which will be constructed to provide greater access for persons with disabilities. The north beach use area includes an observation platform located atop one of the highest sand dunes in Florida, approximately 35-40 feet above sea level. This spot offers spectacular views of the coastline and of the marshes of Guana Lake to the west. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, shelling and other traditional beach activities are enjoyed here. Pets are prohibited from the beach, but are allowed in other areas of the park on a six-foot, handheld leash.

Big game, small game and waterfowl hunting are available in season within the adjacent Wildlife Management Area. Contact the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Area Biologist for all hunting and freshwater fishing information.

Recreational activities at Guana River State Park are primarily based on the rich variety of resources found here, rather than on any man-made facilities. There are no overnight camping facilities or developed picnic areas. The Guana Dam Use Area (Main Entrance) is open for fishing activities 24 hours per day and picnicking is certainly permitted anywhere in the park. If you are looking for a peaceful, still somewhat remote, and beautiful natural setting to enjoy the great outdoors, Guana River State Park is the place for you.

PROGRAMS
BIRDS, BOTANY AND BREAKFAST

Birds, Botany and Breakfast

Join us for an early morning walk on the park's 2-mile nature trail and learn about some of the birds and plants found at Guana River. This program is offered one Saturday a month from September through May and begins at 8:00 am. After the walk, coffee, orange juice, doughnuts, and muffins are served. The program lasts 2 hours and the charge is $5 per person. Call the park at (904) 825-5071 for dates.

KIDS' ENVIRONMENTAL ADVENTURE DAY

Kids Environmental Adventure Day

During this day-long program, kids ages 7-11 explore the salt marsh, hike the hardwood hammock and slog through the freshwater marsh. Outdoor adventure is combined with classroom activities and environmental games for the budding naturalist. This program is held on Wednesdays during the summer. The cost is $25 per person and includes snacks and drinks. Call the park for dates and more information. Reservations required. Limited to l5 participants.

For information on the Wildlife Management Area, contact:
Guana River Wildlife Management Area Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission
2690 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Tel. (904) 825-5071