| Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 Florida scrub on the Lake Wales Ridge, December 2013 | |
  Map of the United States | |
| Location | Polk and Highlands counties, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Lake Wales, Florida |
| Coordinates | 27°22′06″N 81°19′52″W / 27.3684°N 81.331°W[1] |
| Area | 1,194 acres (4.8 km2) |
| Established | 1990 |
| Governing body | US Fish & Wildlife Service |
| Website | Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge |
The Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System, located in four separated areas on the Lake Wales Ridge east of US 27 between Davenport and Sebring in Florida. The 1,194 acre (4.8 km2) refuge was established in 1990, to protect a host of plants and animals. It is also the first to be designated primarily for the preservation of endangered plants, and is not open to the general public. It contains a high proportion of remaining Florida scrub habitat. It is administered as part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
- ^ "Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife And Environmental Area State Wildlife Management Area". protectedplanet.net.