GTM Research Reserve

09/04/2026

Happy National Wildlife Day!

This GTM Reserve resident has the right idea for Labor Day: take it slow and enjoy the outdoors.

Whether you’re headed to the beach, the trails or simply spending a little time outside, we’d love to see you around the estuary.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

09/02/2026

The GTM Research Reserve North Beach Parking Lot is OPEN!

Just in time for Labor Day weekend.

Come check out the new beach walkover and enjoy one of GTM Research Reserve’s most beautiful stretches of shoreline.

08/28/2026

Shuck Yeah! I ❤️ Estuaries is just three weeks away.

Fresh oysters. Low Country boil. Live music. Craft cocktails. Cold beer. And sunset over the estuary.

Come hungry. Bring your friends. Have some fun. Help support the estuary.

Tickets: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E369285&id=44

08/27/2026

It was a very special morning on the beach today.

For the first time since 2023, leatherback sea turtles have hatched on the GTM Research Reserve beach.

After 60 days beneath the sand, the nest began emerging on August 24. During today’s evaluation, our sea turtle patrol team counted 81 hatched eggshells and found three live hatchlings still in the nest.

And then came the best part, watching those tiny leatherbacks make their way across the sand and toward the Atlantic.

It’s hard to believe these little turtles belong to the largest sea turtle species in the world.

And be sure to check out the nesting photos. Those are mama’s tracks from 60 days ago. Seeing our patrol team standing beside them really puts the size of a leatherback into perspective.

Welcome back, little leatherbacks. 💙

08/27/2026

We were thrilled to see our upcoming Whales & Dolphins course featured on the front page of The St. Augustine Record.

Thank you for helping shine a spotlight on two remarkable marine mammals found along Northeast Florida’s coast: North Atlantic right whales and bottlenose dolphins.

The six-week course will be led by Terran McGinnis, founder of Wild Lessons and project coordinator for the Marineland Right Whale Project. With more than 30 years of experience in environmental education, Terran brings a wealth of knowledge about marine mammals and a gift for connecting people with the natural world.

The course explores the lives and behaviors of right whales and bottlenose dolphins, including a special sunset dolphin beach walk at Vilano Beach.

Learn more: https://gtmnerr.org/calendar/whales-dolphins-six-week-educational-course/

08/26/2026

383 nests. More than 22,000 hatchlings. And the season is still underway.

Those numbers reflect countless hours spent walking beaches, checking nests, documenting activity and collecting data that helps inform sea turtle conservation.

We’re grateful to the volunteers who show up morning after morning to do this important work and to everyone who has adopted a nest or supported sea turtle conservation at GTM Research Reserve.

Protecting sea turtles takes a community. Thank you for being part of ours. 💙

08/26/2026

What can a drone reveal about an oyster reef?

Oyster reefs can be difficult to monitor. They cover large areas, change over time and can be disturbed by traditional monitoring methods.

So researchers are looking from above.

GTM Research Reserve is part of a collaborative project using high-resolution drone imagery to measure reef size, shape, density and change over time.

The result is a clearer picture of how these important habitats are doing and better information to guide restoration, shoreline protection and long-term monitoring.

The project brings together GTM and four other National Estuarine Research Reserves, graduate students and NOAA NCCOS.

Sometimes a new perspective can change what we see.

Oyster reefs are habitat super stars. They filter water, support coastal ecosystems, stabilize shorelines, and help remove excess nutrient pollution.

08/25/2026

50 derelict crab traps removed. More than 100 animals released.

That was the result of one day on the water at GTM Research Reserve.

Taking advantage of the regional blue crab trap closure, GTM Research Reserve staff joined Northeast Florida Aquatic Preserves staff and Matanzas Riverkeeper to locate and remove derelict traps from our waters.

Among the animals safely released were a juvenile goliath grouper, mangrove snapper, stone and blue crabs, and a common octopus. Nearly half of the traps recovered were stone crab traps, and crews also collected additional marine debris along the way.

Derelict traps can continue “fishing” long after they’ve been lost or abandoned, trapping wildlife that may be unable to escape. Removing this gear helps protect estuarine species, reduce marine debris and keep waterways safer for boaters.

📷 Pictured:

Photo 1: CTP Coordinator Katie Craver, Resource Management Coordinator Candace Killian, Environmental Specialist Ches Vervaeke, Ranger Sarah Moulton and intern Ava with some of the recovered crab traps.

Photo 2: Environmental Specialist Ches Vervaeke with a rescued mangrove snapper.

Photo 3: Ranger John McGraw prepares as the crew approaches another stone crab trap.

08/20/2026

Why do North Atlantic right whales come to our waters each year?

Terran McGinnis of Wild Lessons gives us a quick look at what brings these incredible animals to our coast.

Want to learn more? Join Terran this fall to dive into the world of whales and dolphins during a six-week course at GTM Research Reserve.

Wednesdays beginning September 30

Space is filling up. Reserve your spot today.

You don’t want to miss it!

Learn more and register: https://gtmnerr.org/calendar/whales-dolphins-six-week-educational-course/

08/19/2026

Celebrating 27 years of science, stewardship and connection.

On August 19, 1999, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve was officially designated as part of NOAA’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System, one of only 30 reserves nationwide today.

That designation built on decades of conservation work and opened a new chapter for understanding, protecting and sharing this remarkable estuary.

Today, GTM spans more than 75,000 acres of salt marshes, tidal creeks, maritime forests and beaches, places where science informs conservation, wildlife finds refuge and people connect with the natural world.

We’re grateful to the volunteers, visitors, students, researchers, partners and neighbors who continue to be part of GTM Research Reserve’s story. Consider celebrating with us by spending some time here, whether you’re discovering GTM for the first time or returning to a place you already know and love.

Here’s to protecting and sharing this extraordinary place for generations to come.