Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Cypress swamp at the refuge
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 Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge
Location in North Carolina
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| Location | Roanoke River, Bertie County, North Carolina, United States |
| Nearest city | Williamston, North Carolina |
| Area | 20,978 acres (84.89 km2) |
| Established | 1989 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge |
The Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge is a very special place in North Carolina, United States. It was created in 1989 to protect a huge area of forests and swamps. These areas are called wetlands because they are often covered in water. The refuge is found along the Roanoke River and is known for its beautiful cypress trees and hardwood forests. It's like a giant natural playground for many different kinds of wildlife!
Contents
Discover the Roanoke River Refuge
The Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge helps keep important natural areas safe. It protects forests and swamps that are often flooded, known as bottomland hardwoods. These areas are super important for many animals, especially birds that love water. The Nature Conservancy, a group that protects nature, calls this area "one of the last great places."
What Makes This Place Special?
The refuge covers a large part of the lower Roanoke River. This area stretches about 130 miles (209 km) from Weldon, North Carolina down to the Albemarle Sound. The land here is mostly bottomland hardwood forest. This means it's a forest that grows in low-lying areas that get flooded.
You'll also find cypress-tupelo sloughs here. These are slow-moving channels of water with cypress and tupelo trees growing right in the water. The refuge is part of a huge wetland ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community of living things and their environment.
This special ecosystem has many different types of habitats. These include:
- Levee forests: Forests that grow on slightly raised land next to the river.
- Cypress-gum swamps: Swamps filled with cypress and gum trees.
- Oxbows: U-shaped lakes formed when a river changes its path.
- Beaver ponds: Ponds created by beavers building dams.
- Blackwater streams: Streams with dark, tea-colored water from decaying plants.
All these different habitats create a rich mix of places for animals to live.
Amazing Animals and Plants
The Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge is a fantastic home for many animals. It's especially important for waterfowl, which are birds like ducks and geese. It's also a key stop for neotropical migrants. These are birds that fly long distances, often from Central or South America, to breed here.
The refuge is also vital for anadromous fish. These are fish that live in the ocean but swim up rivers to lay their eggs. One example is the endangered shortnose sturgeon.
Birds of the Refuge
More than 214 different kinds of birds have been seen at the refuge. About 88 of these species live and breed here. The refuge is home to the largest inland heron rookery in North Carolina. A rookery is a place where many birds, like herons, gather to nest and raise their young.
Other Wildlife
Besides birds, you can find many other animals here:
- White-tailed deer: These deer are common throughout the refuge.
- Wild turkey: The refuge has one of the largest natural populations of wild turkeys in North Carolina.
- Black bear: A small group of black bears also lives in the refuge.
- Small game: Many smaller animals that are hunted, like rabbits and squirrels, also live here.
- Fish: A wide variety of fish species live in the rivers and streams.
The Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge is a true treasure. It helps protect these important wetlands and the incredible wildlife that calls them home.
