Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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One of several open water pools in the refuge
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 Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Saginaw County, Michigan |
| Nearest city | Saginaw, Michigan |
| Area | 9,870.35 acres (39.9439 km2) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge |
The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is a huge natural area in Saginaw County, Michigan. It covers about 9,870.35 acres (39.9439 km2) of land. This special place is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It helps protect nature and wildlife.
The refuge is located in the middle part of Michigan. It's about 25 miles (40 km) south of Saginaw Bay. This bay is part of Lake Huron. The city of Saginaw is also nearby. The refuge was created in 1953. Its main goal is to provide a safe home for birds that travel long distances.
People sometimes call this area the Shiawassee Flats. It's part of the Saginaw Bay watershed. This area used to be one of Michigan's largest and most important wetlands. Several rivers meet here. The Bad, Flint, and Cass Rivers flow into the Shiawassee River. Then, the Shiawassee River joins the Tittabawassee River. Together, they form the Saginaw River.
Contents
What Kinds of Animals Live Here?
The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is home to many different animals. It has various types of natural areas. These include forests along rivers, forests in floodplains, and wet marshlands. There are also shallow wetlands that are managed by people. Some areas are even used for farming.
Birds: A Feathered Paradise
Over 265 different kinds of birds have been seen at the refuge. This includes large birds like eagles and hawks. Many shorebirds and wading birds also live here. More than 100 types of songbirds make their homes in the refuge.
The Shiawassee Refuge is known as an Important Bird Area. This means it's super important for birds that travel long distances. It's especially vital for migratory waterfowl. These are birds like ducks and geese that fly south for winter.
During the busiest times in October, you can see lots of birds. Up to 25,000 Canada geese gather here. Also, as many as 40,000 ducks can be present. Many other animals that live in freshwater marshes and floodplain forests are also found here.
Other Amazing Wildlife
Besides birds, the refuge has many other creatures. In the past, animals like river otters, fishers, martens, elk, moose, and black bears lived here. Today, you can still find many types of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. They all depend on the refuge's different habitats.
How Did the Refuge Start?
The land where the refuge is now has a long history. After the last ice age, Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay were much bigger. When the water went down, it left behind a flat, sandy wetland. This area collected water from about ten counties in lower Michigan.
Early Days and Native American Life
For thousands of years, this area was a great place for people to live. Early cultures and Native American tribes, like the Odawa and Ojibwa, used it. They hunted and gathered food here. Ducks and geese were plentiful in the wetlands and rivers.
Changes Over Time
The area stayed mostly wild until the late 1800s. Then, the lumber industry came. They cut down almost all the big trees. After the trees were gone, farmers tried to use the land for crops. Starting in 1903, they dug ditches and drains to dry out the land.
The "Ferguson Bayou" part of this land wasn't very good for farming. Even so, the wildlife refuge still uses and takes care of many of these old ditches and dikes. The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge was officially created in 1953 to protect this important wetland.
Mining and Farming History
From the early 1900s to the late 1930s, Coal was mined in the area. By 1950, the land had a big system of pumps, drainage tiles, ditches, and dikes. This turned it into a large farming area. But now, it's mostly for wildlife.
Why Are Canada Geese Important Here?
The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is very important for Canada geese. It's recognized as a "U.S. Important Bird Area" because of these geese. Many geese that migrate from James Bay in Canada stop here every year.
These "James Bay geese" are different from geese that stay in one place. They are truly migratory birds. The refuge provides them with a safe place to rest and find food during their long journeys.
How the Refuge is Managed
The people who manage the Shiawassee Refuge do a lot of work. They make sure the habitats are healthy for all the animals. This includes managing water levels in the wetlands. They also work to restore natural areas.
The refuge can also grow bigger in the future. It is allowed to add another 7,500 acres (30 km2) of land. This land is along the Tittabawassee, Shiawassee, and Cass rivers. They can buy land from people who are willing to sell it. This helps protect even more of this important natural area.
