Welcome to The Barrier Island Sanctuary...

Management & Education Center Hours

Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays

Trail Hours

October-April: 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
May-September: 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

This second Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Management and Education Center is a modern educational facility with classrooms, an interactive exhibit room, a library, offices, auditorium, restrooms and a gift shop. The center provides a focal point for the Archie Carr Refuge and the associated barrier island by providing exhibit space, a presentation hall, and ongoing educational programs that promote stewardship of the area’s fragile natural resources.

The Barrier Island Management and Education Center partners with the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) who provide support for gift shop operations, volunteer coordination, and educational outreach including guided sea turtle hikes in June and July (click the Calendar tab and see Turtle Watch for details).

Other partners include:

• Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge
• The Ocean Conservancy

The Management and Education Center would not have been possible without the generous support of the Richard K. Mellon Foundation. The Mellon Foundation purchased the abandoned "Chuck's Steakhouse" and donated the parcel to Brevard County for the purpose of building and operating an educational facility.

The 34-acre Barrier Island Sanctuary consists of the Management and Education Center site along with two adjacent parcels stretching across the narrow barrier island—from the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean. The Sanctuary offers visitors a unique interpretive hiking trail that weaves through a cross section of all the barrier island habitats.

Pets and Smoking are not allowed in EEL Program Sanctuaries and Conservation Areas. We hope you understand that these rules are necessary to protect and preserve our sensitive ecosystems. See Recreation Guide listings for additional Dos and Don'ts at each site. Thank you for your cooperation!

Calendar of Activities & Events, Workdays, Meetings...
Upcoming Listed Below or see Filtered Calendar for all EEL South Beach Region listings

Pets and Smoking are not allowed in EEL Program Sanctuaries and Conservation Areas. We hope you understand that these rules are necessary to protect and preserve our sensitive ecosystems. See Recreation Guide listings for additional Dos and Don'ts at each site. Thank you for your cooperation!

Tour & Trail Map...

This second Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Management and Education Center is a modern educational facility with classrooms, an interactive exhibit room, a library, offices, auditorium, restrooms and a gift shop. The center provides a focal point for the Archie Carr Refuge and the associated barrier island by providing exhibit space, a presentation hall, and ongoing educational programs that promote stewardship of the area’s fragile natural resources.

The new 5,700 square foot facility will host visiting school groups from throughout Brevard County, as well as local residents and tourists. The facility, its gift shop and its exhibits are open daily to the public (except Mondays and holidays listed above).

Located in the Archie Carr Refuge, the 34-acre Barrier Island Sanctuary features examples of several barrier island habitats. ADA access at the Sanctuary includes parking, restrooms, amphitheater, the Management and Education Center, and drinking fountains.

Across the highway from the Barrier Island Center, and situated between the highway and the Indian River lagoon, a hiking trail winds through an active restoration area. It provides observation of a living laboratory of land management and restoration science. Much of this sanctuary was heavily impacted by non-native plant species such as Brazilian pepper and Australian pine trees in recent years. Now, with the majority of exotic plant species removed, native habitats such as cabbage palm hammock and maritime hammock, saltmarsh and mangrove swamp are regaining a foothold and are viewable along the trail. Activities include a 1-mile loop hiking trail, kayak launch, fishing and wildlife observation. Advance notice needed for special accommodations.

Trail Map...

Open Large PDF Version

Recreation Opportunities & Trail Map...

For additional Recreation Sanctuaries see Recreation Guide

Pets and Smoking are not allowed in EEL Program Sanctuaries and Conservation Areas. We hope you understand that these rules are necessary to protect and preserve our sensitive ecosystems. See Recreation Guide listings for additional Dos and Don'ts at each site. Thank you for your cooperation!

Barrier Island Sanctuary...

Management & Education Center Hours

Tuesday-Sunday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve,
Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
Ph: 321-723-3556
www.barrierislandcenter.com

Located on the barrier island, this 34-acre sanctuary features the second EEL Program Management and Education Center. The new center is a modern educational facility with classrooms, an interactive exhibit room, a library, offices, auditorium, restrooms and a gift shop. Providing a focal point for the Archie Carr Refuge and the associated barrier island ecosystem, the center provides exhibit space and a presentation hall for hosting ongoing educational programs that promote stewardship of the area’s fragile natural resources. The 5,700 square foot facility offers an educational resource for visiting school groups from throughout Brevard County, as well as for residents and tourists. The Center, with gift shop and exhibits opens daily to the public beginning May 12, 2008.

Trail...

October-April: 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., May-September: 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Situated in the heart of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, the trail features examples of several barrier island habitats. The trail includes some raised boardwalk and winds through an active restoration area providing observation of a living laboratory of land management and restoration science. Much of the sanctuary was heavily impacted by nonnative plant species such as Brazilian pepper and Australian pine trees in recent years. Now, with the majority of alien plant species removed, native habitats such as cabbage palm hammock, maritime hammock, saltmarsh, mangrove swamp, and the Indian River Lagoon are regaining a foothold and are viewable along the trail.
Donated to the EEL Program by the Richard King Mellon Foundation

Trail Map - PDF

More about Management & Education Centers

Size: 34-acre
Management Region: South Beaches, Ph: 321-723-3556

LOCATION & DRIVING DIRECTIONS Map

Barrier Sanctuary Management & Education Center
8385 S Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach
From I-95 take Melbourne Exit-180/US-192 east across the Melbourne Causeway to SR-A1A. Turn right and go 14.5 miles south on Hwy-A1A. The Center is on the left. From Sebastion Inlet: Go to 1.5 miles north to the Center.

Barrier Island Trail
8380 S Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach
From US-192 (Melbourne Cswy) go 14 miles south on A1A.On the west side of A1A between the highway and the Indian River Lagoon. From Sebastian Inlet go 2 miles north on A1A. Parking is available at the Management & Education Center.

ACTIVITIES:

• Management & Education Center
  • Gift Shop
  • Interactive Exhibit
  • Auditorium
  • Library and Classroom
• Events
  • Eco-Explorers Camp
• Environmental Education
  • Guided Walks
  • Hiking (1-mile trail loop)
  • Kayak Launch
  • Wildlife Observation
• Fishing

Habitats: dune, coastal strand, maritime hammock, and mangrove forest
Wildlife: roseate spoonbill, osprey, alligator, bobcat, screech owl, giant land crab
ADA Access: Advance notice needed for special accommodations
Dos & Don'ts: 1) Pets, smoking, alcohol, motorized vehicles, and firearms are prohibited. 2) Removal of plants, animals, archeological, or cultural resources is prohibited. 3) Do not feed, disturb, or harm wildlife. 4) Stay on the trail for personal safety and protection of the natural environment.

Educational Opportunities & Resources...

ECO-EXPLORERS

Barrier Island Center Summer Camp
For students entering grades 3-8

A fun-filled week of discovery and adventure on the barrier islands! Learn about the diversity of life found from the ocean to the lagoon...

Registration Limited
Call 321-723-3556 for Details
www.barrierislandcenter.com

• Hands-on Sea Turtle Research
• Seine Netting
• Hiking
• Beach Combing
• Lots of Great Fun & Games

Day Camp Schedule
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Grades 3-5
Session 1 July 7-11 FULL !
Session 2 July 14-18 FULL !

Grades 6-8
Session 1 July 21-25 FULL !
Session 2 July 28-August 1 - Call for any remaining Openings

Fee
$200 per session per student includes Sea Turtle Adoption CCC Membership, t-shirt and snacks (students bring own lunch). Enrollment limited.

Offered in partnership with the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC)

JOIN IN THE TURTLE WATCH!

June: Tuesday and Wednesday nights
July: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday nights
Space limited. Reservations required.

During June and July the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) has a limited number of spaces for the public to join a guided turtle watch. CCC hopes the experience of a guided sea turtle walk will inspire future naturalists and sea turtle advocates.

Florida's beaches, especially along the east central coast in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, provide nesting habitat for more nesting loggerhead turtles than any place in the Western Hemisphere, and more endangered green turtles than any place in North America. In addition, endangered leatherback sea turtles nest in the Archie Carr Refuge.

Watches will be conducted by both CCC and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The cost is a $10 donation per person, paid in advance, to hold your space.

If interested, contact Donna Lee at the Barrier Island Center for dates and availability. Call 321-723-3556 during office hours, Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Additional details provided with reservation.

Volunteer Opportunities...

Volunteers are essential to the Barrier Island Sanctuary. Join in the fun while you help preserve the Sanctuary's natural beauty for the future.

Interested in helping educate our community and visitors? Here are just some of the ways you can become involved and share your talents...

Requirements -- a smile, willingness to learn, love of nature, desire to give a little time each week to the community, commitment to helping sea turtles and their environment!  If this sounds like you, please contact us to find out more about volunteering.