Erie National Wildlife Refuge

Erie National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Erie National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Erie National Wildlife Refuge
Location of the Erie National Wildlife Refuge in Pennsylvania
LocationCrawford, Pennsylvania, United States
Coordinates41°37′39″N 79°57′50″W / 41.62750°N 79.96389°W / 41.62750; -79.96389
Area13.75 sq mi (35.6 km2)
EstablishedMay 22, 1959[1]
Visitors30,000[2]
OperatorUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service
Websitewww.fws.gov/refuge/erie/

The Erie National Wildlife Refuge is an 8,777-acre (3,552 ha) National Wildlife Refuge located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Named after the Erie tribe, it was established to provide waterfowl and other migratory birds with nesting, feeding, brooding, and resting habitat.

The refuge consists of two separate land divisions. The 5,206-acre (2,107 ha) Sugar Lake Division is closest to Guys Mills, Pennsylvania and is 8.5 miles (13.7 km) east of Meadville.[2] The Seneca Division, consisting of 3,571 acres (1,445 ha), is 10 miles (16 km) north of the Sugar Lake Division and borders French Creek near Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.

The Erie National Wildlife Refuge was designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society because of the diversity of habitat it provides to the approximate 237 species of birds attracted to the refuge.

  1. ^ United States Congress. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies (2004). "Land Acquisition" (PDF). Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2005. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office. p. 410.
  2. ^ a b Hahn, Tom (May 16, 2009). "Erie National Wildlife Refuge celebrates milestone, looks to future". Erie Times-News. pp. 1A, 10A. Retrieved May 17, 2009.