San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Modesto, California |
| Area | 7,000 acres (28 km2) |
| Established | 1987 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge |
The San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge is a special protected area in California. It is located along the San Joaquin River in the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley. This refuge helps keep nature safe in both San Joaquin County and Stanislaus County.
This important place protects over 7,000 acres (28 km2) of different natural areas. These include forests along rivers (called riparian woodlands), wet marshy areas (wetlands), and open fields (grasslands). Many different kinds of native animals live here.
The refuge was created in 1987. It was set up under two important laws: the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. These laws help protect animals that are in danger or birds that travel long distances. The refuge has also played a big role in helping Aleutian cackling geese recover their numbers.
Restoring the River Forest
Inside the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, there is one of California's largest projects to bring back river forests. This is called a riparian forest restoration project. Over 400,000 native trees have been planted. They cover about 1,700 acres (6.9 km2) of the river's floodplain (the flat land next to the river that sometimes floods).
This big project was led by River Partners, Inc. This is a non-profit group that works to bring back river habitats for wildlife.
Why River Forests Are Important
River forests used to cover large parts of California's Central Valley. But many of them were lost because of water projects and changes to rivers. The San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge protects this important river habitat. It is home to many rare animals.
For example, Swainson's hawks build their nests high up in the tall cottonwood trees. Herons and cormorants gather to nest together in the tops of large oak trees on Christman Island. Even endangered riparian brush rabbits have been brought back to their old homes here. These rabbits were raised in captivity and then released into the wild.
