While taking that well deserved vacation at the quaint Key West Bed & Breakfast the Tropical Inn, explore some of the natural wonders of the Keys at the National Wildlife Refuges found within short distances of Key West.

The closest refuge to Key West is a tiny chain of islands west of the city – only accessible by boat, the Key West National Wildlife Refuge contains mostly mangrove swamps and a few sandy beaches. Established in 1908 by President Teddy Roosevelt, the refuge protects nesting areas for endangered sea turtles and wading birds among other things.

Spanning over 200,000 acres of open water and islands to the north of the Overseas Highway from  Key West to Marathon is the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge. It was established in 1938 to serve as a sanctuary for great white herons and 250 species of birds. Known as the “backcountry” to locals and along with Key West NWR, it is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the United States

Farther up the coast in lies the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge near Marathon. Consisting of 9200 acres of hardwood pine forests, tropical hardwood hammocks, fresh and saltwater wetlands and mangroves, this refuge was established in 1957 to help protect the Key Deer, a short deer only found in the Keys. The visitor center for all of the Keys’ wildlife refuges is located here.

Finally, the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge is again farther north in Key Largo and, as you probably guessed, was designated to protect the American crocodile. Adjacent to the Key Largo Hammock State Botanical Site, this area is the largest continous track of hardwood forest remaining in the Keys. However, it is not open to the public.

So while you’re relaxing at the Tropical Inn, get great views and see some of the native wildlife of the Keys. It will be well worth the time.

Well, not quite that bad, but big controversy is brewing over the term “Conch Republic”, a sentimental term coined during Key West’s secession protests toward the U.S. in 1982. That year, the U.S. Border Patrol blockaded the overseas highway that leads to Key West, causing major problems for residents and badly hurting tourism.

Today, the term is used for tourism promotion, drawing visitors to the wide variety of Key West bed & breakfast establishments, attractions and events. 

But major controversy is brewing over the term. Self-proclaimed secretary general of the Conch Republic Peter Anderson claims the term is his intellectual property and has made a good living since 1990 capitalizing on it. He has commented that he will “…go to the wall” to defend his exclusive use of the name.

Well, a Key Largo business group is suing Anderson for the right to use the term for a Conch Republic Days commemoration event to be held in April, the same time a similar event is being held in Key West. Anderson wants 50% of all profits from the event in exchange for use of the term.

“We agree that this is his intellectual property, in Key West,” Key Largo business man Robert DiGeorgio said. “…this is 100 miles up the road in Key Largo. He wants 50 cents out of every dollar we make. That gives us no choice. We either walk away or take on the fight.”

Calls to Anderson seeking comment on the Upper Keys business group’s website launch were not returned before this story appeared in the Key West Citizen.

Regardless of the outcome, the quaint Key West bed & breakfast The Tropical Inn is ready for anything. While there certainly won’t be violent conflict, tempers will surely be flaring among the natives.

“If he wins this case, there will be no Upper Keys Conch Republic celebration,” DiGeorgio said.