Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Aerial view of Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge
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 Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Suffolk County, New York, United States |
| Nearest city | Islip, New York |
| Area | 196 acres (0.79 km2) |
| Established | 1968 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge |
Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge is a special natural area in Islip, New York. It's located on the southern coast of Long Island, a large island in New York. This refuge is like a safe home for many wild animals and plants.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service helps manage this important place. They are a government agency that protects wildlife and their habitats across the country. Seatuck is part of a bigger group of protected areas called the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
This refuge covers about 196 acres (or 0.79 square kilometers). That's about the size of 150 football fields! It sits right next to the Great South Bay, a large body of water. Only a narrow strip of land called Fire Island separates the bay from the big Atlantic Ocean. Even though it's in a busy area, Seatuck is a peaceful "oasis" for nature.
Contents
Discover Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge is a vital spot for many animals. It's especially important for birds that travel long distances, known as migratory birds. The refuge also provides a home for different types of waterfowl, which are birds that live near water.
What Makes Seatuck Special?
About half of the refuge is made up of tidal marsh. A tidal marsh is a wetland area that is regularly flooded by ocean tides. These marshes are super important because they provide food and shelter for many animals. In the colder months, lots of waterfowl come here to spend the winter.
Animals You Might See
Seatuck is a bustling place for wildlife! You might spot many different creatures here.
- Waterbirds: These birds love to be near the water.
- White-tailed deer: These graceful deer roam through the refuge.
- Red fox: Keep an eye out for these clever, reddish-brown foxes.
- Migratory songbirds: Many small birds that sing beautiful songs stop here during their long journeys.
- Raptors: These are birds of prey, like hawks and owls, that hunt for food.
The entire Great South Bay area, including Seatuck, is known as a significant coastal habitat. This means it's a very important natural area along the coast.
How the Refuge is Protected
The people who manage Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge work hard to keep it healthy. They do many things to protect the land and the animals:
- Forest and grassland protection: They make sure the forests and open grassy areas are safe and healthy.
- Wetland restoration: They work to bring back and improve wetland areas that might have been damaged.
- Wildlife nesting structure maintenance: They help maintain places where birds and other animals can build their nests safely.
- Habitat restoration: This means they help bring back the natural homes (habitats) for plants and animals.
All these efforts help ensure that Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge remains a safe and thriving place for wildlife for many years to come.
