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Long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum), North Cascades National Park, 2015.

Long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum), North Cascades Nationa...

North Cascades NP is one of the most biodiverse places in the entire National Park System, with over 1600 plant species identified and approximately 75 mammals, 20 reptiles and amphibians, 200 birds, 28 species... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Views at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Point Reyes National Seashore contains unique elements of biological and historical interest in a spectacularly scenic panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, open grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-1999

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a b... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A blooming cactus takes the spotlight in a sandy area near Launch Pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center. A broad variety of flora and fauna can be found on the grounds, which share a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Within the refuge, 1,045 plant species has been identified and more than 500 species of wildlife, including 330 species of birds, 117 fishes, 65 amphibians and reptiles and 31 mammals. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley KSC-07pd1858

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A blooming cactus takes the spotlight i...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A blooming cactus takes the spotlight in a sandy area near Launch Pad 39A on the Kennedy Space Center. A broad variety of flora and fauna can be found on the grounds, which share ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Late at night at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a raccoon walks near one of the waterways near Launch Complex 39. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray KSC-2013-3056

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Late at night at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Late at night at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a raccoon walks near one of the waterways near Launch Complex 39. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a female Osceola wild turkey roams a grassy area near Launch Complex 39. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray KSC-2013-3058

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a fe...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a female Osceola wild turkey roams a grassy area near Launch Complex 39. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildli... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a female Osceola wild turkey roams a grassy area near Launch Complex 39. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray KSC-2013-3057

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a fe...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a female Osceola wild turkey roams a grassy area near Launch Complex 39. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildli... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a raccoon forages in the underbrush near Launch Pad 39B. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray KSC-2013-3059

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a ra...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a raccoon forages in the underbrush near Launch Pad 39B. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, two raccoons forage in the underbrush near one of the waterways in the Launch Complex 39 area. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray KSC-2013-3060

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, two ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, two raccoons forage in the underbrush near one of the waterways in the Launch Complex 39 area. The center shares a boundary with the Merrit... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, two young white ibises wade in one of waterways near Launch Pad 39B. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray KSC-2013-3061

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, two ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, two young white ibises wade in one of waterways near Launch Pad 39B. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlif... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a wild boar forages for food in the one of the waterways near Launch Pad 39B. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray KSC-2013-3062

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a wi...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a wild boar forages for food in the one of the waterways near Launch Pad 39B. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island Nationa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a bobcat wades through one of the waterways near Launch Pad 39B. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray KSC-2013-3063

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a bo...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a bobcat wades through one of the waterways near Launch Pad 39B. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife R... More

Native Plant Community Monitoring

Native Plant Community Monitoring

Recording identified species at a transect in Point Mugu State Park. Plant communities are both constituents of and drivers of biodiversity. Loss of specific plant species or plant communities can impact inse... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-2001

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a b... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-2002

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a b... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron stands along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-2006

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron stands along the shore of an...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron stands along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway near the former site of the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-1995

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway near the former site of the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron consumes a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-2004

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron consumes a small rodent alon...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron consumes a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-1998

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a b... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway near the former site of the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-1993

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway near the former site of the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway near the former site of the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-1994

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway near the former site of the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron stands along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-2005

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron stands along the shore of an...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron stands along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-1997

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a b... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-2000

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a b... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron consumes a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-2003

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron consumes a small rodent alon...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron consumes a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alligator swims in the water nearby. The center shares a ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway near the former site of the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The center shares a boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 140,000 acres that are a habitat for more than 330 species of birds, 31 mammals, 117 fishes, and 65 amphibians and reptiles. It contains more than 1,000 known plant species. The marshes and open water of the refuge provide wintering areas for 23 species of migratory waterfowl, as well as a year-round home for great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans and other species of marsh and shore birds, and a variety of insects. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper KSC-2014-1996

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A great blue heron catches a small rodent along the shore of an inland waterway near the former site of the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center... More

Trail through the dunes. - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery

Trail through the dunes. - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery

There are trails through the Grand Sable Dunes. The dunes contain uncommon plant species and communities, including the richest orchid flora in the Great Lakes and the federally endangered Pitcher's thistle. Th... More