Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

08/25/2026

Thoughts from a raccoon on the Refuge.

Video description: a video of a raccoon in a bush, eating berries, with text comically describing the raccoon backin up on a branch and spitting out a fruit.
Image by USFWS

08/21/2026

Aww look how cute we were back then 🥰 You can just see our cute little trees growing in the butterfly garden 🦋

Countdown to October 11th. Original Visitor Center. 1980's

08/19/2026

ANNOUNCMENT: Hiring - Maintenance Worker!
The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is looking to hire a new part time maintenance worker.

Visits the NEW Solutions website to view the position description and apply!
Posting Link: https://newsolutions.org/jobs/position-details/?position_id=9867

08/18/2026

Not so spooky skeleton.... Leaf?

Skeletons leafs are rare to find because they are so fragile. They can occur at any point, usually from fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates.

Have you ever found a skeleton leaf?

Image description: a hand holds up the skeleton of a leaf.
Image by USFWS

08/12/2026

Someone told me there was a barred owl in this picture. Whoooooo can find it?

Image description: a dense group vegetation. Somewhere, a barred owl perches.
Image by USFWS

08/05/2026

Register for international coastal clean up and help us clean up litter!

To register for the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup, please contact [email protected]

08/01/2026

Upcoming events for August and September!

📢 Tram tours: weekly! Call the visitor center to book your tour!
🔍 Junior Ranger Scavenger Hunt: August 15 at 10 am OR 1 pm. September 12 at 10 am OR 1 pm. Sign your team up today!
🔭International Observe the Moon Night: Details TBD
✨International Coastal Clean Up: September 19, 9 am to 12 pm. Sign up to help pick up litter by emailing [email protected].
🎣Family Fishing Day with Reel Fishing Charities: September 26 from 9 am to 12 pm.
🌿 Invasive Plant Pull: September 26.

View all of our events and details at: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/arthur-r-marshall-loxahatchee/events

07/31/2026

It's tiiiiiime 🎵 for the semi annual canoe trail maintenance! 🛶🚣

The 5.5-mile canoe trail will be temporarily closed for semi-annual vegetation maintenance August 3-5, 2026. The maintenance uses a mechanical cutter specially created for trails like ours to clear away vegetation! 🛶

Video description: a black screen with text that's reads "it's time" followed by a picture of two kayakers paddle on the canoe trail at sunset. Video by USFWS.

07/24/2026

Meet the Venomous Puss Caterpillar!

Don’t let it's fuzzy appearance fool you. The Puss Caterpillar is one of the most venomous caterpillars in the United States! Their fur-like appearance hides highly venomous spines that contain a potent venom.

If you see a puss caterpillar, DO NOT TOUCH it. Direct skin contact with a puss caterpillar can result in a variety of painful symptoms and often the need for medical care. While encounters are rare, proper identification and knowledge will protect you from some unintended hurt!

The puss caterpillar is the larval stage of the Southern Flannel Moth and can be found from New Jersey down into Florida and westward into Texas and Arkansas. They fuzzy appearance can range in color from browns to oranges. They live in hardwood trees like oaks and elms and brood twice a year in the spring (May - June) and early fall (August - September). During this time, they are most commonly spotted.

Encountering new wildlife is part of the fun of exploring the outdoors! Just be sure to look and not touch when you come across one of these fuzzy fellas. Learning to ID stinging caterpillars such as the puss caterpillar is just another way to protect yourself and responsibly recreate in the outdoors!

Visit the following link to learn more about this venomous caterpillar along with others found in the Southeast:
https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN014

Image description: A orange furry puss caterpillar is pictured on a metal pole. The words "Puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis)" are above it.