Everything about Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge totally explained
The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge was established on
March 14,
1994, to preserve and protect a unique wetland habitat type—the
pocosin—and its associated wildlife species.The Refuge attracts visitors worldwide for its red wolf howling programs.
Description
The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is composed of 152,000 acres (615 km²) lying in the mainland portions of
Dare and
Hyde Counties,
North Carolina.
It is roughly 28 miles (45 km) from north to south and 15 miles (24 km) from east to west and lies in North Carolina's Coastal Plain. It is bordered on the west by the
Alligator River and the
Intracoastal Waterway, which is crossed by the 2.8 mile
Lindsay C. Warren bridge; on the north by
Albemarle Sound; on the east by Croatan and
Pamlico Sounds; and on the south by Long Shoal River and corporate farmland. The
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is administered as a part of complex. Alligator River Manager supervises the Mackay Island, Currituck, and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Managers.
Role of the Refuge
The Refuge serves as a gateway to other eastern North Carolina refuges, encouraging visitors to venture inland into the counties with fewer economic advantages.
Natural history
The
habitat includes many diverse types including high and low pocosin,
bogs, fresh and
brackish water
marshes,
hardwood swamps, and
Atlantic White Cypress swamps. Plant species include pitcher plants and sun dews, low bush
cranberries,
Redbay, Atlantic White Cypress,
Pond Pine,
American Sweetgum,
Red Maple, and a wide variety of
herbaceous and
shrub species common to the East Coast.
The Refuge is one of the premier strongholds for
American Black Bear on the
Eastern Seaboard.
It also has concentrations of
ducks,
geese, and
swans. The wildlife diversity includes
wading birds,
shorebirds,
American Woodcock,
raptors,
American Black Bears,
American Alligators,
White-tailed Deer,
Raccoons,
Cottontail rabbits,
Bobwhite Quail,
Northern River Otters,
Red Wolves,
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, and neotropical
migrants.
Refuge objectives
Refuge objectives are to protect and preserve unique wetland habitat types and the associated wildlife species, including endangered species such as red wolves, red-cockaded woodpeckers and American alligators. It also aims to provide a habitat for and management of waterfowl and other migratory birds, as well as for a wide variety of native wildlife species, through diverse wildlife management techniques and strategies.
An important objective is the restoration of historical water levels in the Refuge by progressively plugging man-made drainage ditches. This will reduce fire danger as well as re-establish valuable wildlife habitat.
The Refuge also provides for the public opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife interpretation, observation, photography, and environmental education.
Administration
A 33-person staff (14 Refuge staff,for both Alligator River and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges, 7 Red Wolf Recovery staff, 8 fire staff, and 4 temporary staff) administer the Refuge for the 42,000 visitors who annually visit.
The current budget (FY 03) is $3.9 million.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge'.
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