Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge

Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Marsh wetlands of the Wildlife Refuge.
Map showing the location of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
Map of the United States
LocationOrange County, California, United States
Nearest citySeal Beach, California
Coordinates33°44′16″N 118°04′27″W / 33.73772°N 118.07422°W / 33.73772; -118.07422[1]
Area911 acres (3.69 km2)
Established1972
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteSeal Beach National Wildlife Refuge

Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge encompassing 965 acres (3.91 km2) located in the California coastal community of Seal Beach. Although it is located in Orange County it is included as part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It was established in 1972.

The refuge is a collaboration between the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Navy.[2] It serves as a critical habitat and winter stopover for many birds along the Pacific Flyway. Among the birds found at the refuge are great blue herons and the three endangered bird species: California clapper rail, California least tern, and Belding's Savannah sparrow.[3][4]

The refuge is located within Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. Public access in the refuge is limited or restricted to once-a month tour (last Saturday of each month) as it is located within an active military base.[5]

  1. ^ "Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "About the Refuge". Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. US Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  3. ^ Brennan, Pat (October 18, 2008). "Endangered Birds Freed". Orange County Register. pp. Local 1.
  4. ^ Rane, Jordan (June 22, 2008). "Seal Beach Navy site offers tours of bird refuge". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  5. ^ "Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge." Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Web. 7 Dec. 2014. <http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=81683>.