Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

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Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Location: Washington, USA
Nearest city: Tacoma, WA
Coordinates: 47°04′22″N, 122°42′46″W
Area: 3914 acres (15.84 km²)
Established: 1974
Total Visitation: 137,000 (in 2004)
Governing body: United States Fish and Wildlife Service

The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife preserve operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on the Nisqually River Delta near Puget Sound in northeastern Thurston County, Washington and northwestern Pierce County, Washington. The refuge is between the cities of Tacoma and Olympia.

Ring-necked Duck near the visitors center
Ring-necked Duck near the visitors center

The 12.6 km² refuge was created in 1974 to provide habitat and nesting areas for waterfowl and other migratory birds. It includes a protected estuary, saltmarshes and open mudflats, freshwater marshes, open grassland, and riparian woodland and brush. An additional 3.2 km² (15.4 km² planned) is protected by the disjoint Black River Unit on a tributary of the Chehalis River.


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