The refuge is all that remains of the northern Everglades. A 400-acre cypress swamp is located in the headquarters area. Everglades habitats of wet prairies, sloughs, sawgrass marshes, and tree islands comprises approximately 85 percent of the refuge. It is a key wintering and migration are for many species of birds. The refuge provides habitat and protection to 30 plant and animal species listed as endangered and/or threatened by federal and state agencies.
The refuge is west of Boynton Beach, Florida. The headquarters and visitor center are one half mile west of highway 441 on Lee road.
