St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, a beloved destination for North Florida nature lovers, is expanding its boundaries — good news for both wildlife and the visitors who come to spot it.

The expansion creates additional conservation opportunities in the region, according to the announcement, and could open up more areas for outdoor recreation such as wildlife photography and birdwatching that the refuge is already well known for.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge sits along the Gulf Coast south of Tallahassee and has long been a go-to spot for seeing migratory birds, manatees, and the historic St. Marks Lighthouse. More protected acreage means a larger buffer for the diverse habitats that make the refuge such a draw.

Specific details about the size of the expansion and the newly acquired land were not included in the announcement at the time of reporting.

This story was originally reported by WCTV.