Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge
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 Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Georgetown, Horry, Marion counties, South Carolina, United States |
| Nearest city | Garden City, South Carolina |
| Area | 22,931 acres (92.80 km2) |
| Established | 1997 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge |
The Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge is a special natural area in South Carolina, United States. It was created in 1997 to protect important coastal wetlands and nearby dry lands. These areas are home to many different kinds of wildlife, including some rare and endangered species. The refuge is located where the Pee Dee River, the Little Pee Dee River, and the Waccamaw River meet. It covers about 22,931 acres (92.80 km2), but there are plans for it to grow even larger in the future.
Why the Refuge Is Important
The Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge was started to keep valuable natural areas safe. These areas include coastal wetlands, which are like watery forests, and the dry lands next to them. These places provide homes for many different animals and plants.
Home for Rare Animals
The refuge is especially important because it protects animals that are rare or endangered. One special bird that lives here is the red-cockaded woodpecker. These woodpeckers make their homes mainly in longleaf pine forests, especially on Sandy Island. The refuge is also a nesting spot for beautiful birds like swallow-tailed kites and majestic bald eagles.
What the Refuge Does
The main goals of the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge are:
- To provide safe homes for many types of birds, including waterfowl (like ducks), shorebirds, wading birds (like herons), raptors (like hawks), and birds that migrate (travel long distances). It also protects birds that live there all the time.
- To offer environmental education and help people understand nature better.
- To give people chances to enjoy the outdoors through activities like hunting, fishing, and other fun recreation.
Visiting the Refuge
If you want to learn more about the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, you can visit its visitor center. It's located just north of Georgetown, South Carolina, on Highway 701. From the visitor center, you can look out over the Great Pee Dee River in a small community called Yauhannah.
