Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge
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 Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Ohio
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| Location | Jerusalem Township, Lucas County, Ohio, United States |
| Nearest city | Toledo, Ohio |
| Area | 2,449.77 acres (9.9139 km2) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge |
The Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge is a special natural area in Ohio, United States. It was created in 1964 when its previous owners, the Cedar Point Shooting Club, gave the land to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This service helps protect and manage wild animals and their homes.
Today, the refuge covers about 2,630 acres (10.6 km²) of marshland. A marsh is a type of wetland, like a swamp, with lots of grassy plants. This marsh is divided into three sections, or "pools." The biggest pool is nearly 2,000 acres (8.1 km²) and is the largest connected marsh area in Ohio's Lake Erie region.
Most of the Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public to protect the animals and plants. However, from June to August, about 40 acres (0.16 km²) are open for fishing. The refuge is looked after by the same team that manages the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Oak Harbor, Ohio. The main goal of the refuge is to keep the natural wildlife healthy and balanced with their environment. They also work to control or remove plants and animals that are not native to the area. This refuge is a protected natural space, not a public park for camping or picnics.
Amazing Wildlife
This refuge is a perfect home for many different kinds of animals, especially birds that travel long distances. You can see a huge variety of wildlife at Cedar Point. This includes water animals, birds like ducks and geese, small rodents, and even large birds like bald eagles.
The best way to see Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge is by taking a "Blue Goose Bus Tour." These tours are offered by the Ottawa visitor center. You can find more details on their website. People on these tours have seen as many as 20 bald eagles at once! The refuge also has native plants like millet and smartweed, which are great food sources for birds that migrate through the area.
A Look Back in Time
Before it became a wildlife refuge, this land played a small but important role in history. In 1813, during the War of 1812, a group of people from Michigan used this spot as a safe place. They had traveled across the frozen Lake Erie to escape a series of battles known as the River Raisin Massacre. These conflicts happened in Michigan between January 18 and 23, 1813. The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and a group of British and Native American allies near the River Raisin. The area where Frenchtown was located is now known as Monroe, Michigan.
