Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Aerial view of Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge Location in Virginia Show map of Virginia Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Poquoson, Virginia, United States
Area	3,501 acres (14.17 km2)
Established	1972
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge

The Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in Poquoson, Virginia. It sits right on the southwestern edge of the Chesapeake Bay. This refuge is a protected area for wildlife.

It covers about 3,501 acres (which is about 14 square kilometers). The refuge is located along the Atlantic Flyway. This is like a superhighway in the sky for birds. Many birds use it to travel between their summer and winter homes. Plum Tree Island is one of four refuges that make up the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages this important area.

Explore Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge

This wildlife refuge was created in 1972. Before that, the land was owned by the United States Department of Defense. They used the area for military training. Because of its past use, most of the refuge is not open to visitors. This is to keep everyone safe.

Why Most of the Refuge is Closed

Due to its history as a military training ground, some materials from that time are still present. For safety reasons, only a small part of the refuge is open to the public. This open area is called Cow Island. It is about 200 acres (or 0.8 square kilometers) in size. Visitors can enjoy this part of the refuge safely.