Delevan National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Delevan National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
Location in California
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| Location | Colusa County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Colusa, California |
| Area | 5,797 acres (23.46 km2) |
| Established | 1962 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Delevan National Wildlife Refuge |
The Delevan National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in central northern California. It is one of six refuges that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This refuge helps protect important natural areas and the animals that live there.
Contents
Where is the Delevan Refuge?
The Delevan National Wildlife Refuge covers about 5,797 acres (23.46 km2). That's a huge area! It is located in Colusa County, California. This is about 80 miles (130 km) north of the city of Sacramento.
What Kind of Land is There?
The refuge has two main types of land. Over 4,500 acres (18 km2) are wetlands. Wetlands are areas like marshes or swamps where the land is often wet. The other 1,200 acres (4.9 km2) are uplands. Uplands are drier areas, usually higher than the wetlands. Both types of land are carefully managed to help wildlife.
Visiting the Refuge
Many people visit the refuge each year. About 1,000 visitors come to watch wildlife. They can see animals from a special viewing spot along the Maxwell-Colusa Highway. Around 7,000 people also visit the refuge each year for hunting activities.
Amazing Wildlife at Delevan
The Delevan Refuge is a very important home for many animals. It is especially vital for birds.
Birds and Their Home
Every winter, more than 200,000 ducks and 100,000 geese fly to the refuge. They come here to find food and shelter. Over the last 100 years, 95 percent of the wetlands in the Central Valley have been lost. This means that birds like ducks and geese rely more and more on places like the Delevan Refuge to survive.
Protecting Rare Species
The refuge also helps protect several endangered plants and animals. Endangered means they are at risk of disappearing forever. Some of these special creatures include:
- The giant garter snake
- Wintering peregrine falcons and bald eagles
- The breeding tricolored blackbird
- A large group of the rare palmate-bracted bird's beak plant
Other Animals You Might See
Besides the endangered species, many other animals live at the refuge all year. These include:
You can also find many other animals that live in wetland and upland areas.
Images for kids
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A beautiful sunrise over the Delevan National Wildlife Refuge.
