Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge

Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Aerial view of Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
LocationPoquoson, Virginia, United States
Coordinates37°08′24″N 76°19′39″W / 37.14000°N 76.32750°W / 37.14000; -76.32750
Area3,501 acres (14.17 km2)
Established1972
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsitePlum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge

The Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge in Poquoson, Virginia, located on the southwestern corner of the Chesapeake Bay. The 3,501-acre (14.17 km2) refuge is located at about the midpoint of the Atlantic Flyway, and is one of four refuges that comprise the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Prior to being transferred to the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1972, the preserve's lands were owned by the United States Department of Defense and used as a bombing range. Due to the amount of unexploded ordnance that remains, only the 200-acre (0.81 km2) Cow Island portion of the refuge is open to the public.