Natural Resources

The Kennedy Space Center, which contains within its boundaries the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) and most of Canaveral National Seashore (CNS), is located on the northern part of Merritt Island on the east coast of Central Florida and consists of approximately 56,700 hectares (ha) or 140,000 acres of land and lagoon waters. Kennedy property has a varied habitat including coastal dunes, saltwater estuaries and marshes, freshwater impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. These habitats provide refuge to more than 1,500 species of plants and animals. Of these, there are 33 animals that are federally and/or state listed, and 39 state-listed plants as threatened, endangered, or species of special concern within Kennedy boundaries.

Kennedy must comply with federal regulations as well as NASA and Kennedy requirements as stated in KNPR 8500.1, Kennedy Space Center Environmental Requirements (internal link only). These requirements protect the natural environment while supporting Kennedy’s multi-user spaceport.

Environmental Resource Document (Internal link only)
Proposed Wetlands Mitigation
KSC Environmental Checklist
Indian River Lagoon Health Initiative Plan

Kennedy partners with the MINWR and CNS to support Kennedy’s stewardship goals by managing the natural habitats and providing public access to explore and observe the unique nature.

US Fish and Wildlife Service Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Canaveral National Seashore