08/30/2026
Did you know one gopher tortoise can help support an entire neighborhood of wildlife? 🏡
A single gopher tortoise burrow can provide shelter for more than 350 species, making these remarkable reptiles a keystone species in Florida's upland ecosystems.
At the St. Johns River Water Management District, protecting these habitats is part of our mission. Through land conservation, responsible stewardship, and habitat management across more than 775,000 acres of public lands, the District helps conserve the natural landscapes that support gopher tortoises and the hundreds of species that depend on their burrows.
By protecting healthy ecosystems, we're also helping protect Florida's water resources—ensuring resilient habitats, cleaner water, and lasting benefits for both wildlife and the communities we serve.
