List of Ramsar sites in the United States facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Ramsar Convention is a special international agreement that helps protect important wetlands around the world. Wetlands are places where water covers the land, like swamps, marshes, and bogs. They are super important because they provide homes for many plants and animals, help clean our water, and protect us from floods.

As of 2020, the United States has 41 special wetlands called "Ramsar Sites." These sites cover a huge area, about 1,884,551 hectares (or 7,276 square miles). This list tells you about some of these amazing places in the U.S.

What are Ramsar Sites?

The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. It's an agreement between many countries to protect and wisely use wetlands. When a wetland is named a Ramsar Site, it means it's considered very important for nature and people. These sites are often home to rare animals or plants, or they are vital resting spots for migratory birds.

Amazing Wetlands Across the U.S.

The United States is home to many diverse and important Ramsar sites. Each one has unique features and plays a special role in its ecosystem. Here are a few examples:

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Location: Nevada
Designated: December 18, 1986

This refuge is a desert oasis with many springs and wetlands. It's home to at least 26 types of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world! It's a critical place for protecting unique desert life.

Bolinas Lagoon

Location: California
Designated: September 1, 1998

Bolinas Lagoon is a tidal estuary (where a river meets the sea) on the Pacific Flyway. This means it's a crucial stop for thousands of migratory birds traveling along the coast. It provides a safe home for ducks, geese, and many kinds of shorebirds.

Bolinas Lagoon, a vital stop for migratory birds.

Cache-Lower White Rivers

Location: Arkansas
Designated: November 21, 1989

This area includes parts of the Cache River and Lower White River National Wildlife Refuges. It's known for its vast bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands, which are important for many species, including migratory waterfowl.

A view of the Bayou DeView watershed in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge.

Cache River-Cypress Creek Wetlands

Location: Illinois
Designated: November 1, 1994

This wetland complex in southern Illinois features ancient bald cypress and tupelo trees. Some of these trees are over 1,000 years old! It's a beautiful and important habitat for many animals.

Heron Pond in the Cache River State Natural Area.

Caddo Lake

Location: Texas, Louisiana
Designated: October 23, 1993

Caddo Lake is a unique lake and wetland system known for its stunning bald cypress trees draped with Spanish moss. It's a maze of bayous, sloughs, and ponds, providing a rich habitat for fish, alligators, and birds.

Cypress trees in Caddo Lake.

Chesapeake Bay Estuarine Complex

Location: Maryland, Virginia
Designated: June 4, 1987

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. This Ramsar site protects a part of this huge bay, which is incredibly important for seafood, migratory birds, and water quality for millions of people.

A satellite view of the Chesapeake Bay.

Cheyenne Bottoms

Location: Kansas
Designated: October 19, 1988

Cheyenne Bottoms is the largest inland marsh in the United States. It's a critical stopover point for millions of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl on the Central Flyway, making it a birdwatcher's paradise.

Cheyenne Bottoms, a large inland marsh.

Chiwaukee Illinois Beach Lake Plain

Location: Illinois, Wisconsin
Designated: October 6, 2015

This special area stretches across two states along the shore of Lake Michigan. It includes rare coastal habitats like sand dunes, prairies, and wetlands. It's a great example of how different natural areas can connect.

Gfp-illinois-beach-state-park-left-shoreline

Illinois Beach State Park, part of the Chiwaukee Illinois Beach Lake Plain.

Congaree National Park

Location: South Carolina
Designated: February 2, 2012

Congaree National Park protects the largest remaining old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern U.S. It's famous for its towering trees and a rich floodplain ecosystem that floods regularly, supporting diverse wildlife.

A view of the swamp in Congaree National Park.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Location: Florida
Designated: March 23, 2009

This sanctuary in Florida is home to the largest remaining old-growth bald cypress forest in North America. It's a vital habitat for many wading birds, alligators, and the endangered Florida panther.

A boardwalk through Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Delaware Bay Estuary

Location: Delaware, New Jersey
Designated: May 20, 1992

The Delaware Bay Estuary is incredibly important for migratory shorebirds, especially the red knot. Millions of birds stop here each spring to feed on horseshoe crab eggs before continuing their long journey north.

The calm waters of Delaware Bay.

Everglades National Park

Location: Florida
Designated: June 4, 1987

The Everglades is a vast wetland ecosystem, often called a "river of grass." It's one of the most famous wetlands in the world, known for its alligators, crocodiles, wading birds, and unique plant life. It's a truly wild and special place.

A typical scene in the Everglades National Park.

Izembek Lagoon National Wildlife Refuge

Location: Alaska
Designated: December 18, 1986

Located on the Alaska Peninsula, Izembek Lagoon is a huge coastal lagoon. It's a critical feeding and resting area for millions of migratory waterfowl, especially Pacific black brant geese, before their long flights.

A wide view of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Location: Georgia, Florida
Designated: December 18, 1986

The Okefenokee Swamp is the largest blackwater swamp in North America. It's a wild, mysterious place with cypress forests, floating islands, and a huge population of alligators. It's a true wilderness experience.

Alligators in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

Location: Line Islands
Designated: April 1, 2011

Palmyra Atoll is a remote group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. It's a pristine marine ecosystem with vibrant coral reefs, clear waters, and important nesting sites for seabirds. It's a true paradise for marine life.

A beautiful coral reef at Palmyra Atoll.

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

Location: Kansas
Designated: February 12, 2002

This refuge has 34 wetlands, including two shallow salt lakes. More than half of the refuge is covered in Tallgrass and Shortgrass prairies. It's a mix of wetlands and grasslands, providing diverse habitats for wildlife.

Birds gathered at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

San Francisco Bay and Estuary

Location: California
Designated: February 2, 2013

This site protects a large part of the famous San Francisco Bay. It's a vital estuary that supports millions of migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife, even though it's surrounded by a large city.

A view of the San Francisco Bay.

Upper Mississippi River Floodplain Wetlands

Location: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois
Designated: January 5, 2010

This massive Ramsar site stretches along the Upper Mississippi River. It includes a complex system of floodplains, wetlands, and backwaters that are crucial for fish, mussels, and millions of migratory birds. It's a huge natural highway for wildlife.