Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex facts for kids
The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a special place created to protect many kinds of migratory birds. These include birds like ducks and geese (called waterfowl), birds that live near water (shorebirds), and many different singing birds (songbirds). This refuge is found along the Mississippi Flyway, which is like a superhighway in the sky for birds traveling long distances.
Besides birds, the refuge also provides important homes, or habitat, for large river fish and many other native animals. You might see deer, foxes, beavers, frogs, turtles, and snakes here. The main goals of the refuge are to keep fish and wildlife healthy and diverse, to help the river's natural floodplains work properly, and to offer fun outdoor activities for people.
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What is the Mark Twain Refuge Complex?
The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a group of protected areas. It stretches along the mighty Mississippi River for about 345 miles (555 km). It also includes parts of the Illinois and Iowa rivers.
This complex covers a huge area, about 45,000 acres (182 km²). That's like 34,000 football fields! It's not one big piece of land but many smaller units spread out.
How the Refuge Started
Some parts of the refuge complex were first set up in the 1940s. This happened after the construction of the lock and dam system on the river. This system helps boats travel and controls water levels.
In 1958, these separate areas were combined to form the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge. Over the years, more land was added to make it even bigger.
The Refuge Today
In the year 2000, the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge was divided into five separate National Wildlife Refuges. These are:
- Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
- Great River National Wildlife Refuge
- Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge
- Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
- Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
Even though it was split, the main office for the entire complex still uses the original Mark Twain name. This office is located in Quincy, Illinois.
Who Manages the Refuge?
The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This is a government agency that works to protect wildlife and their habitats. It is part of the Department of the Interior, which manages many of the country's natural resources and public lands.
