The island is comprised of interconnecting linear dunes thickly covered by oak/palmetto vegetation. There are approximately 1,163 acres of open freshwater or freshwater marsh, 2,000 acres of regularly flooded salt marsh, 2,115 acres of maritime forest, and 340 acres of sandy beach.

The primary objectives of the refuge are to provide wintering habitat and protection for migratory birds; provide protection and habitat to promote resident and migratory wildlife diversity; and to provide protection and management for endangered and threatened species (loggerhead sea turtle, American bald eagle, wood stork, piping plover). Notable concentrations of waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors, deer, and alligators can be seen at various times of the year.

The island has one of the highest number of sea turtle nests on the Georgia coast. An active management program is conducted each year to document, relocate(if necessary), and protect the nests. Nesting success and number of hatchlings are recorded.

Protection is provided for a wood stork rookery in Flag Pond, active only when there is adequate rainfall. When the pond holds sufficient water it also attracts other wading bird nesters such as egrets and white ibis. Seasonally, surveys are conducted to census waterfowl and shorebirds. Point counts for neotropical birds are held during the spring, while research on painted buntings is conducted in the summer. An active bald eagle nest is monitored and protected.

White-tailed deer are the most common resident mammals on the island. Archery hunting is used as a management tool to keep the deer herd size in balance with the habitat. Harvest data have been studied by University of Georgia biologists, resulting in published research on the island's white tailed deer subspecies.