Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Morehouse Parish, Louisiana |
| Nearest city | Bastrop, Louisiana |
| Area | 501 acres (2.03 km2) |
| Established | 1988 |
| Visitors | 4,250 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge |
Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge is a special protected area in north central Louisiana. It is located just north of the town of Bastrop, Louisiana, in Morehouse Parish. This refuge was created in 1988 to provide a safe home for many animals and plants.
Contents
How Handy Brake Was Created
The refuge started with 466 acres of land. This land was transferred from the Farmer's Home Administration to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This was the first time such a transfer happened in the southeastern United States.
Later, an additional 38 acres were added to the refuge. This land was leased for free from a company called International Paper. With this addition, the refuge grew to its current size of 501 acres (2.03 km2).
Amazing Wildlife and Habitats
Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge is managed to create the best possible homes for its wildlife. The refuge focuses on helping different types of animals, especially birds.
Helping Ducks and Other Birds
One important project at Handy Brake is helping Wood ducks. The refuge has a special program where they set up nest boxes for these ducks. This gives them safe places to lay their eggs and raise their young.
The refuge also carefully controls the water levels in its wetlands. This helps create perfect conditions for ducks that nest there. It also helps ducks that visit the refuge during the winter months.
Before the refuge was created, some of the land was used for farming. Now, these areas have been replanted with native trees. These trees are called bottomland hardwoods and they provide important habitat for many animals.
Exploring the Refuge
Visitors can enjoy an observation platform at Handy Brake. From this platform, you can look out over a permanent wetland. This wetland is a fantastic place to see many different kinds of birds. You might spot ducks that spend the winter here, or wading birds like herons and egrets. Many other animals that depend on wetlands also live here.
Between the water and the observation tower, there are areas of prairie grasses. These grasses are important for grassland birds and other wildlife. The refuge sometimes mows or burns these areas. This helps keep the view clear from the platform. It also makes sure the prairie habitat stays healthy for the animals.
Protecting the Wildlife
Handy Brake is managed as a sanctuary, especially for waterfowl like ducks and geese. A sanctuary is a place where animals are protected and can live without being disturbed. Because of this, access to most of the refuge is limited. Visitors can only go to the area right next to the observation tower. This helps keep the wildlife safe and undisturbed in their natural home.
