Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Location	Clatsop, Columbia counties, Oregon, Wahkiakum County, Washington, United States
Nearest city	Cathlamet, Washington
Area	5,600 acres (23 km2)
Established	1972
Named for	Julia Butler Hansen
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Julia Butler Hansen Refuge

Located in southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon, the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer was established in 1972 specifically to protect and manage the endangered Columbian white-tailed deer. The refuge contains over 5,600 acres (23 km²) of pastures, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, marshes, and sloughs along the Columbia River in both Washington and Oregon.

The valuable habitat the refuge preserves for the deer also benefits a large variety of wintering birds, a small herd of Roosevelt elk, river otter, various reptiles and amphibians including painted turtles and red-legged frogs, and several pairs of nesting bald eagles and osprey. Today, about 300 Columbian white-tailed deer live on the refuge.

Another 300-400 live on private lands along the river. The areas upstream from the refuge on Puget Island and on the Oregon side of the river are vital to reestablishing and maintaining viable populations of the species. The refuge works with private and corporate landowners to maintain and reestablish deer on their lands.

The refuge is named for Julia Butler Hansen, a former member of the United States House of Representatives for Washington state.

In April, 2012, high river flow levels coupled with a collapsing dike, that keeps the Columbia River from flooding the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge, was reported to be a threat to the resident population of Columbian white-tailed deer.