Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

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Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Location	Washington, USA
Nearest city	Lacey, WA
Coordinates	47°04′22″N 122°42′46″W / 47.07278, -122.71278
Area	3914 acres (15.84 km²)
Established	1974
Visitors	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 located just off Interstate 5, between the cities of Tacoma and Olympia.

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.

[edit] See also

• List of National Wildlife Refuges

[edit] External links

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Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

• Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

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