Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Union and Morehouse Parishes |
| Nearest city | West Monroe, Louisiana |
| Area | 41,430 acres (167.7 km2) |
| Established | 1978 |
| Visitors | 23,000 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge |
The Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in northern Louisiana. It was created in 1978 to protect wildlife. You can find it in Union and Morehouse Parishes.
Contents
Exploring the Refuge's Habitats
This refuge is quite large, stretching about 18 miles long and up to 10 miles wide. It has many different types of natural areas. Over 14,500 acres are covered by bottomland hardwood forest. This means forests that grow in low areas near rivers. There are also 5,000 acres of upland forest, which are higher up.
You can also find 3,000 acres of swamp with shrubs and trees. About 16,000 acres used to be farmland but have been replanted with trees. Plus, there are 2,000 acres of open water. A big part of the refuge, about 80%, gets flooded every year from December to May.
The Ouachita River and Its Floodplain
The Ouachita River flows right through the middle of the refuge. This river has a wide floodplain, which is the flat land next to the river that often floods. The soil here is very rich because of the river.
Amazing Animals of the Refuge
The Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge is home to many animals. It's a very important place for tens of thousands of ducks and geese in winter. These birds fly south to escape the cold.
Special and Endangered Species
Some very rare animals live here. The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker makes its home in the upland forests. The threatened Louisiana black bear also lives in the refuge.
Other Wildlife You Might See
Besides the special birds and bears, you can spot many other animals. Look for alligators, deer, and wild turkeys. Squirrels are common, and you might even see a bald eagle flying overhead. Beavers also live in the refuge, building their homes in the water. This refuge is one of four managed together in the North Louisiana Refuge Complex.
How the Refuge is Managed
The people who manage the refuge work hard to keep it healthy for all the animals. They use different methods to help the forests and wetlands.
Caring for Forests and Wetlands
They carefully thin out trees in the bottomland hardwood forests. This helps migratory birds and other animals. It also keeps the forest healthy. They also control water levels in these areas.
Old farmlands on the east side of the refuge have been replanted with trees. They made sure to plant the same kinds of trees that grew there a long time ago.
About 983 acres of the refuge are managed as "moist soil units." These are wetland areas that are kept wet. They are managed to grow natural foods like wild millets and grasses. These foods are perfect for waterfowl and shorebirds. Farmers also help by growing crops in some parts of the refuge. This provides extra food for ducks and geese in winter.
Protecting the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
The upland forests on the western side of the refuge are managed especially for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Managers thin out trees and use controlled fires to create the right habitat for them. They also install artificial nests and band the woodpeckers. Sometimes, they even move woodpeckers from one place to another to help the population grow.
Other ways the refuge is managed include putting up nest boxes for wood ducks. They also stock fish in the waters and remove plants and animals that are not native to the area.
