Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge was established on April 10, 1979, for the purpose of protecting, maintaining and enhancing a beautiful and rare natural ecosystem. Purchase of the lands was made possible through the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nature Conservancy, and Florida's Suwanee River Water Management District.

Along the river and its tributary creeks, the habitat consists of majestic cypress trees and flood plain hardwood forests. Scrub oak communities and pine plantations are found on the upland sites.

From the mouth of the Suwannee River, the refuge fronts 26 miles of the Gulf of Mexico where the habitat changes to scenic tidal marshes dotted with coastal islands. Each of these diverse vegetative communities contributes to making Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge one of the largest undeveloped river delta-estuarine systems in the United States.

The overall goal of Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge is to provide conditions desirable to wildlife through scientific management. Specific objectives providing habitat and protection for endangered and threatened species as well as migrating birds and resident wildlife. The refuge also provides opportunities for environmental education and wildlife oriented recreation.