Patuxent Research Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Patuxent Research Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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National Wildlife Visitor Center
10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop Laurel, MD 20708 |
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 Patuxent Research Refuge
Location in the United States
Patuxent Research Refuge
Location in Maryland
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| Location | Anne Arundel County, Prince George's County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest city | Laurel, Maryland |
| Area | 12,800 acres (52 km2) |
| Established | 1936 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Patuxent Research Refuge |
The Patuxent Research Refuge is a special place in Maryland, United States. It's a National Wildlife Refuge, which means it's a protected area for animals and plants. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created it in 1936.
What makes Patuxent unique? It's the only National Wildlife Refuge in the entire country made specifically for wildlife research! Scientists here study animals and their homes. The refuge started small, but it has grown a lot. It now covers over 12,800 acres (about 52 square kilometers) of land. This land is located between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland, along the Patuxent River and Little Patuxent River.
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Why Patuxent Research Refuge Is Important
The main goal of Patuxent is to protect wildlife and their natural homes. It does this through scientific research and careful management. This mission has stayed the same for many decades.
Home to Many Plants and Animals
Patuxent Research Refuge is home to a huge variety of wildlife. You can find animals living in forests, open meadows, and wetlands (areas where the land is often wet, like swamps). The refuge works hard to keep many different kinds of plants and animals healthy. It's especially important for native birds and those that migrate (travel long distances).
During spring and fall, many different kinds of waterfowl (birds that live near water) stop here. They rest and find food on their long journeys. More than 270 different types of birds have been seen at the refuge! Sometimes, you might even spot a Bald eagle looking for food.
Protecting Migratory Birds
The area around the refuge is becoming more developed with cities and towns. This can break up large forests into smaller pieces. When forests are broken up, it can harm many populations of birds that migrate between North and South America. These birds are called neotropical migratory birds.
Patuxent Research Refuge is one of the largest forested areas in the middle of the Atlantic coast. This makes it a very important place. It provides safe spots for these birds to raise their young and to spend the winter months.
Exploring the Refuge
The Patuxent Research Refuge is divided into three main parts. Each part has a different purpose.
- North Tract: This area is open for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities. You can go hunting or fishing here. There are also trails for walking and observing wildlife. Many educational programs are offered in this section.
- Central Tract: This is where the main offices for the refuge are located. It's also home to the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. This area is mostly used for scientific research studies and is not usually open to the public.
- South Tract: This part has the amazing National Wildlife Visitor Center. It also has trails and lots of educational programs for people of all ages.
Only the North Tract and the National Wildlife Visitor Center (in the South Tract) are open for visitors to explore.
National Wildlife Visitor Center
The National Wildlife Visitor Center is a very special place within the Patuxent Research Refuge. It's the biggest center in the country for learning about environmental science and education. The United States Department of the Interior runs it. It's a great place to learn about nature and the important research happening at the refuge.
Images for kids
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A beautiful redbud tree and a bench at the South Tract of the Patuxent Research Refuge.
