Notice
Due to construction that is taking place for the C-139 Flow Equalization Basin project, the public access route to Stormwater Treatment Area 5 has been rerouted from Deer Fence Rd. to Blumberg Rd. Directions to Blumber Road public access.
Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are constructed wetlands designed to aid in Everglades restoration. STAs remove phosphorus from runoff water by channeling it through shallow marshes filled with aquatic plants such as cattail, southern naiad and algae. These plants take up or absorb phosphorus from water traveling through, reducing to very low levels the amount of the nutrients reaching the Everglades or Lake Okeechobee.
STAs provide another bonus – prime home and visiting territory to wildlife including wading birds, ducks and American alligators. A variety of nature-based recreational activities are allowed at several of these wetland locations.
Located on approximately 17,000 acres in eastern Hendry County, Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 (STA-5/6) has become one of the premier bird-watching areas in Florida through a long-standing partnership with the Hendry-Glades Audubon Society. More than 200 bird species have been spotted at STA-5/6 on the seasonal, guided bird-watching tours offered by the local Audubon chapter. The site is also popular as a waterfowl hunting area managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Access to STA-5/6 was expanded in 2013 with a public use area with shell-rocked parking, an informational kiosk, restrooms and a trail that includes a covered shade shelter and a boardwalk. Hiking, bicycling and bird-watching are among the activities visitors can enjoy from the public use area. In addition, a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail runs along the L-3 levee on the west side of the STA.
The recreation area is open from sunrise to sunset on Fridays through Mondays for regularly permitted activities. On designated weekends, the area is closed to the general public for waterfowl and alligator hunts managed by the FWC. The section of the Florida National Scenic Trail is open all day year-round.
For More Information:
Contact the FWC for details abl,,,.out hunting at (561) 625-5122 or visit www.myfwc.com/hunting.
Contact the Hendry-Glades Audubon Society chapter for details about guided bird-watching tours at sta5birding@embarqmail.com or visit www.hendrygladesaudubon.org.
For all other inquiries, please call the SFWMD recreation hotline at (866) 433-6312 or visit www.sfwmd.gov/recreation.
Hunting
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages hunting on SFWMD lands.
Please visit www.myfwc.com regarding current hunt dates, regulations and directions to check stations to ensure the most accurate and latest information.
Florida's Wildlife Management Areas - Hunting Brochures