Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | Mashpee, Massachusetts, United States |
| Nearest city | Mashpee, Massachusetts |
| Area | 341.65 acres (1.3826 km2) |
| Established | 1995 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge |
The Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge is a special protected area for wildlife in Massachusetts. It was created in 1995 to help protect nature. This refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is part of the government.
The refuge covers a large area of land. About 537.12 acres (2.1736 km2) of this land is directly managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The total area that Congress set aside for the refuge is much larger, about 5,971 acres (24.16 km2).
Contents
Discovering Wildlife and Habitats
The Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge is home to many different types of animals and plants. It has a mix of habitats that animals need to live and grow.
Diverse Habitats for Animals
You can find several unique natural areas here. These include salt marshes, which are coastal wetlands, and cranberry bogs. There are also Atlantic white cedar swamps, which are forests with lots of water.
The refuge also has freshwater marshes and a special kind of pond called a vernal pool. These different habitats provide homes for many creatures.
Animals You Might See
Many animals live or visit the refuge. You might spot migratory waterfowl, which are birds that fly long distances. Songbirds and shorebirds also make their homes here.
Look up, and you might see raptors, like hawks or owls, soaring above. On the ground, you could find red foxes and white-tailed deer.
Helping the New England Cottontail Rabbit
The refuge staff is working hard to help an endangered animal. This animal is the New England Cottontail (NEC) rabbit. It is a special type of rabbit that needs protection.
Biologists and volunteers study these rabbits. They conduct surveys to find out where the rabbits are. They also collect scat (animal droppings) to learn about the rabbits' activities.
To create better homes for the NEC rabbits, the refuge uses controlled burns. These "prescribed burns" help new plants grow in the forests. This creates the perfect habitat for the rabbits.
How the Refuge is Managed
The Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge is managed in a special way. Many different groups work together to protect it. This is called a unique partnership.
These groups include federal, state, and private conservation organizations. They all work together to make sure the refuge stays healthy. The Friends of Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge also help support their work.
Working Together for Nature
Here are some of the groups that help manage the refuge:
- Falmouth Rod and Gun Club
- Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
- Orenda Wildlife Land Trust
- Town of Falmouth Conservation Commission
- Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council (Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe)
- Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) / Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Friends of the Refuge
The Friends of Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge is a group of people who care about the refuge. They are a nonprofit organization. This means they work to help the refuge without making money for themselves.
They support many projects at the refuge. These projects include education, research, and stewardship. Stewardship means taking care of the land and its resources. In 2019, this group even published a history book about the refuge. You can find it on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.
