Ordway-Swisher Biological Station
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Ordway-Swisher Biological Station is a research and education facility located in Putnam County, Florida.
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Summary
It covers over 9,500 acres and is home to a variety of ecosystems, including pine forests, wetlands, and lakes. The facility is managed by the University of Florida and is open to the public for educational and recreational purposes.
There are several good reasons to visit Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, including hiking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. The station also offers educational programs and tours for groups and individuals interested in learning more about the area's natural history.
One of the main points of interest at the station is the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem, which is an endangered ecosystem that is home to a variety of rare and threatened species, such as the gopher tortoise and the red-cockaded woodpecker. Visitors can also explore the station's many trails, which wind through the different ecosystems and offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was once used for cattle ranching and timber harvesting before being donated to the University of Florida for research purposes. Additionally, the station is home to over 200 species of birds and is a popular spot for bird watching enthusiasts.
The best time of year to visit Ordway-Swisher Biological Station is in the fall or winter when temperatures are cooler and there are fewer mosquitoes. However, the station is open year-round and there are always interesting things to see and do regardless of the season.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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