Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
LocationConnecticut, United States
Nearest cityWestbrook, Connecticut
Coordinates41°17′21.2316″N 72°28′18.4080″W / 41.289231000°N 72.471780000°W / 41.289231000; -72.471780000
Area950 acres (384.5 ha)
Established1972
Named forStewart B. McKinney
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteStewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

The Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge is a 950-acre (384.5 ha) National Wildlife Refuge in ten units across the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge spans 70 miles (110 km) of Connecticut coastline and provides important resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for many species of wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds and terns, including the endangered roseate tern. Adjacent waters serve as wintering habitat for brant, scoters, American black duck, and other waterfowl. Overall, the refuge encompasses over 900 acres (364.2 ha) of barrier beach, intertidal wetland and fragile island habitats.[1]

Originally named the Salt Meadow National Wildlife Refuge, the refuge was renamed in 1987 after Stewart B. McKinney, a congressman from Connecticut.[1]

  1. ^ a b "Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2008-09-09.