Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Autumn trees standing in water in the refuge
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 Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chariton County, Missouri, United States |
| Nearest city | Sumner, Missouri |
| Area | 10,795 acres (43.69 km2) |
| Established | 1937 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
The Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in Chariton County, Missouri, Missouri. It was created in 1937 to protect nature and wildlife. This refuge covers about 10,795 acres (4,369 km2) and is located near the towns of Sumner. It sits close to where the Grand River meets the mighty Missouri River.
This refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Its main job is to provide safe homes for many kinds of animals, especially birds.
Contents
What is the Swan Lake Refuge?
The Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area where animals can live safely. It's like a big natural park just for wildlife. The refuge helps keep different kinds of animals, especially birds, safe and healthy.
How Was the Refuge Created?
After the land was bought, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) started working there. The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that gave jobs to young men. They helped build important parts of the refuge.
What Did the CCC Build?
The CCC workers created many wetland areas. Wetlands are like marshy lands that are very important for birds and other wildlife. They also built roads and buildings for the refuge. These efforts helped get the refuge ready to protect animals.
Farming for Wildlife
The CCC also started a special farming program at the refuge. This program helps grow food for the wildlife that live there. It makes sure the animals have enough to eat, especially during colder months.
Why is Swan Lake Refuge Important for Birds?
The main reason Swan Lake Refuge exists is to provide safe places for waterfowl. Waterfowl are birds like ducks and geese that live near water. The refuge gives them places to nest, rest, and find food.
What Kinds of Birds Live Here?
Over 240 different kinds of birds have been seen at the refuge! These birds either live there all the time or stop by during their long migrations. Some other birds have been seen rarely, but they don't usually live there.
Home for Canada Geese
The refuge is especially important for a group of Canada geese called the Eastern Prairie Population. These geese started using the refuge in the 1940s. At one point, more than 200,000 geese would visit each year!
Even though the number of geese has gone down a bit, Swan Lake is still a very important place for Canada geese to spend the winter. It gives them a safe and warm place to stay when it's cold elsewhere.
Protecting Prairie Chickens
When the refuge was first created, one of its goals was to protect prairie chickens. These are special birds that live in grasslands. However, there wasn't enough grassland habitat to keep a large group of them safe. So, the main focus shifted more towards waterfowl.
