Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)

Location:	Nebraska, USA
Nearest city:	Valentine, NE
Coordinates:	42°52′41″N, 100°26′54″W
Area:	19,131 acres (77.42 km²)
Established:	January 11, 1912
Governing body:	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is located in the U.S. state of Nebraska and includes 19,131 acres (77.42 km²). The refuge borders the Niobrara National Scenic River on the west and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. From 1879 to 1906, the Fort Niobrara Military Reservation was located on what later became refuge lands to house a garrison of the U.S. Cavalry. After the fort was closed, the effort to preserve the region as a wildlife refuge culminated in the creation of the refuge on January 11, 1912. The refuge also manages Valentine and John and Louise Seier National Wildlife Refuges as parts of the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Fort Niobrara NWR is located along the banks of the Niobrara River and the river has eroded into the limestone creating cliffs and a varied topography. This unusual alteration to the otherwise relatively featureless great plains presents a unique habitat that fosters numerous plant and animal species. Over 230 species of birds have been documented, along with a 350 Bison and a small herd of elk (wapiti) that have been restored to the refuge in an effort to repopulate the region with original animal species.