Guana River State Park (GTM Research Reserve)

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve is a collaboration between Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Reserve covers over 76,000 acres of conservation lands in northeast Florida from Ponte Vedra Beach to Palm Coast. The GTM Research Reserve is one of 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves around the country that focuses on research, education, and stewardship.

Our 21,000 square foot Visitor Center includes interpretive exhibits, aquariums, classrooms, teaching and working laboratories, an auditorium and an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Guana River Aquatic Preserve. Active research and monitoring is conducted at the Visitor Center by staff scientists and visiting investigators from around the world. Education staff offer programming for all ages on the importance of the estuary. Our Collaboration program offers training for professionals on issues of concern in our local community including watershed, invasive plants, and much more.