Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge
Location in North Carolina
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| Location | Carteret County, North Carolina, United States |
| Nearest city | Beaufort, North Carolina |
| Area | 14,480 acres (58.6 km2) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge |
Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge is a special protected area for wildlife. It is located in Carteret County, North Carolina, at the very end of a peninsula. This peninsula marks the southern edge of a large body of water called Pamlico Sound.
The refuge is about five miles (8 km) east of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also about 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Beaufort, North Carolina. It was created in 1964 to protect important habitats and the animals that live there.
What is a National Wildlife Refuge?
A National Wildlife Refuge is a special place set aside by the government. Its main goal is to protect wild animals and their natural homes. These refuges help make sure that different kinds of plants and animals can survive and thrive.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages these refuges. They work to keep the land healthy for wildlife. This includes protecting endangered species and providing safe places for animals to live, feed, and raise their young.
What Kinds of Habitats Are There?
Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge covers a large area of about 14,480 acres (58.6 sq km). It has two main types of natural environments, called habitats.
One habitat is about 11,000 acres (45 sq km) of brackish marsh. This is a wet, grassy area where the water is a mix of fresh and salty. It gets flooded regularly by tides. Common plants here include black needlerush, saltmarsh cordgrass, and saltmeadow hay.
The other habitat is about 3,480 acres (14.1 sq km) of pocosin and woodland. Pocosin is a type of wetland with thick shrubs and trees. The woodland areas are mostly covered with different kinds of pine trees, like loblolly, longleaf, and pond pine. You can also find many live oak trees in some higher, drier spots.
Who Lives at Cedar Island?
The marsh and the waters around it are very important for birds. Thousands of ducks come here to spend the winter. Many other waterbirds also build their nests here.
Many different mammals also call Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge home. These include common animals like gray squirrels, marsh rabbits, and white-tailed deer. You might also spot red foxes, raccoons, and even bobcats.
Other animals living here are gray foxes, nutria, beavers, muskrats, river otters, mink, and opossums. These animals rely on the refuge's diverse habitats for food, shelter, and safety.
