Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Virginia
Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Wallops Island, Accomack County, Virginia, United States |
| Nearest city | Chincoteague, Virginia |
| Area | 373 acres (1.51 km2) |
| Established | 1975 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge |
The Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge is a special place on Wallops Island, Virginia. It was created on July 10, 1975, to protect nature. The land, which is about 373 acres (1.51 km2) big, was given by NASA, the space agency. The refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). This group also helps manage the nearby Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Much of the land here is marshy, which means it's wet and muddy. There is also a rare type of wetland called a sea-level fen.
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What is the Wallops Island Wildlife Refuge?
A National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area for wild animals and their homes. The Wallops Island refuge was set up to keep this important natural space safe. It is a home for many different kinds of plants and animals.
Where is Wallops Island Refuge Located?
The refuge is right next to the Wallops Flight Facility. This is a place where NASA launches rockets into space. Sometimes, people gather on the beaches of the refuge to watch these exciting rocket launches.
What Animals Live Here?
The refuge has mostly salt marsh and woodland areas. It also includes a very special wetland called the "Lucky Boy" sea-level fen. This type of fen is rare along the Atlantic coast. Many animals call this refuge home. You might see northern harriers, large eagles, and great horned owls. It is also an important stop for many migratory birds that travel long distances.
How the Refuge is Cared For
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) works with NASA to manage the refuge. For many years, the FWS managed a larger area of land that belonged to NASA. In 1975, NASA officially gave 373 acres of land to the FWS to create the refuge. Today, NASA, the FWS, and another group called the Marine Science Consortium work together to protect this area.
The refuge does not have staff from the FWS on site every day. It is not actively managed in the same way some other refuges are. However, a power company helps keep power lines clear by removing certain plants. They sometimes remove plants that are not native to the area, like autumn olive trees.
Can People Visit Wallops Island Refuge?
The Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge is usually closed to the public. However, there is one special exception: deer hunting. Starting in 2002, people were allowed to hunt white-tailed deer here. This helps control the number of deer in the area. Too many deer can eat too many plants, which is called overbrowsing. Controlling the deer population also helps prevent deer from causing accidents on roads, like Virginia State Route 175. It also helps prevent deer from getting in the way of aircraft at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.
