San Diego National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids San Diego National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Location	San Diego County, California, United States
Nearest city	San Diego, California
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	San Diego National Wildlife Refuge

The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in California where nature is protected. It's part of a bigger group called the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This refuge helps keep important habitats safe for many different animals and plants.

What is the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge?

This refuge is like a giant outdoor classroom and home for wildlife. It has many types of natural areas, from dry, brushy hillsides called coastal sage scrub and chaparral to green oak woodlands. You can also find freshwater marshes here, which are wet, grassy areas. These different habitats make it a perfect home for a wide variety of creatures.

The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge is located inland, away from the immediate coast, in the backcountry of San Diego. It covers a huge area, about 44,000 acres (which is about 178 square kilometers). There's also a smaller part called the Vernal Pools Unit, which is about 8,000 acres (about 32 square kilometers).

Discovering Nature at Living Coast Discovery Center

One cool part of the refuge is the Living Coast Discovery Center. It's right next to the main office for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. This center is a great place to learn about the animals and plants that live in the San Diego Bay area.

The Living Coast Discovery Center has exhibits where you can see marine life, birds, and plants up close. They work with the refuge to offer fun and educational programs about the environment. You can also explore 1.5 miles of trails that lead right to the Bay! It's a fantastic spot to connect with nature.

Protecting Wildlife and Their Homes

The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge plays a big role in a plan called the Multiple Species Conservation Plan. This plan helps protect enough natural land and habitats so that different animal and plant species can survive. At the same time, it allows for cities and towns to grow in other areas.

One part of the refuge, called the Otay-Sweetwater Unit, is very important for this conservation plan. To keep the wildlife safe and undisturbed, this specific unit is closed to the public. This helps ensure that the animals have a quiet and protected space to live and thrive.

Amazing Animals and Plants

The refuge is especially important because it has a lot of coastal sage and chaparral habitats. These types of habitats are becoming rarer, so protecting them here is very important. This inland refuge is home to some amazing and rare creatures:

• Birds: You might find endangered birds like the least Bell's vireo and the California gnatcatcher.
• Butterflies: A very rare butterfly called the Quino checkerspot lives here.
• Reptiles: The San Diego horned lizard also calls this refuge home.

Scientists are always studying the refuge to find and protect even more species as new land is added to the refuge. This ongoing work helps make sure that these special animals and plants have a safe place to live for many years to come.