Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Churchill County, Nevada, United States |
| Nearest city | Fallon, Nevada |
| Area | 79,570 acres (322.0 km2) |
| Established | 1949 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge |
Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in Nevada, United States. It is a National Wildlife Refuge, which means it is a protected area for wild animals and their homes. This refuge is located in the Lahontan Valley, close to a town called Fallon. It is about sixty miles east of Reno.
The refuge was created in 1949. It covers a huge area of about 79,570 acres (322 square kilometers). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages Stillwater. They work to protect the wildlife and their natural environment.
Discover Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge
Stillwater is famous for its amazing wetlands. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present near the surface, for parts of the year. They are super important because they provide homes for many plants and animals. Think of them as nature's nurseries and feeding grounds!
Birdwatchers love Stillwater because it is a key stop for hundreds of thousands of shorebirds. These birds, like the long-billed dowitcher, black-necked stilt, and American avocet, stop here during their long migrations. It is like a rest stop and diner for them on their journey!
A Home for Many Birds
Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is known as a "Globally Important Bird Area." This means it is one of the most important places in the world for birds. More than 280 different kinds of birds have been seen here!
These rich wetlands attract over a quarter million waterfowl. Waterfowl are birds like ducks, geese, and swans. Also, more than 20,000 other water birds live here. These include large American white pelicans and double-crested cormorants. You might also spot white-faced ibis, different kinds of egrets, herons, gulls, and terns.
Stillwater is a very important place for birds in the Western Hemisphere. It has been named a site of international importance by the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network. This network helps protect places that are vital for shorebirds.
