Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Wisconsin
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Buffalo, Trempealeau counties, Wisconsin, United States |
| Nearest city | Winona, Minnesota |
| Area | 6,226 acres (25.20 km2) |
| Established | 1936 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge |
The Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge is a special natural area in Wisconsin, United States. It covers about 6,226 acres, which is like having over 4,700 football fields! This refuge is located in the southern parts of Buffalo County and Trempealeau County.
It was created in 1936 to protect different kinds of habitats. These include wetlands, which are wet areas like marshes, and sand prairies, which are grasslands with sandy soil. The refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency that helps protect wildlife.
Contents
What is a Wildlife Refuge?
A National Wildlife Refuge is a place set aside to protect wild animals and their homes. It's like a safe haven for nature. The Trempealeau Refuge helps protect many different plants and animals. It's especially important for birds that travel long distances.
This refuge is a key part of the Upper Mississippi River area. It helps keep the natural balance of this important river system.
Wetlands: A Watery Home
A big part of the Trempealeau Refuge is made up of wetlands. These are areas where water covers the land, either all the time or for much of the year. Wetlands are super important because they act like natural filters for water. They also provide homes for many animals.
The refuge has "backwaters," which are quiet parts of the Mississippi River and the Trempealeau River. These calm waters are perfect for fish, frogs, and many kinds of birds.
The Mississippi Flyway
The Trempealeau Refuge is a vital stop along the Mississippi Flyway. Imagine a giant highway in the sky for birds! The Mississippi Flyway is one of the main routes that birds use to fly between their breeding grounds in the north and their warmer winter homes in the south.
Millions of birds, like ducks, geese, and swans, use this flyway every year. The refuge provides them with safe places to rest, eat, and raise their young. It's like a rest stop and restaurant for migrating birds!
The Driftless Area's Unique Landscape
The Trempealeau Refuge is located in a very special part of North America called the Driftless Area. This area is unique because it was not covered by ice during the last ice age. Most of the land around it was flattened by huge glaciers.
Because the Driftless Area missed the glaciers, it has a different landscape. You can see steep hills, deep valleys, and winding rivers. The deep gorge of the Mississippi River, which is very noticeable from the refuge, was formed partly because of this unique history.
Sand Prairies and Tall Grasses
Besides wetlands, the refuge also has beautiful sand prairies. A prairie is a large area of flat or rolling grassland. These prairies have sandy soil, which is perfect for certain types of plants.
Some of the grasses in these prairies can grow incredibly tall! You might see big bluestem, indiangrass, and switchgrass. These grasses can reach heights of 8 to 9 feet, which is taller than most people! These tall grasses provide shelter and food for many animals, including small mammals and insects.
Images for kids
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Observation deck
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Sign
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Visitor Center
