Wassaw Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
|
|
.jpg) |
|
 Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Chatham County, Georgia, United States |
| Nearest city | Montgomery, Georgia |
| Area | 10,053 acres (40.68 km2) |
| Established | 1969 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge |
| Designated: | 1967 |
Wassaw Island is a special place located off the coast of Georgia in the Atlantic Ocean. It's one of the beautiful Sea Islands. Most of the island and the wet, marshy areas around it are part of the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge covers about 10,053 acres (4,068 km2) of marsh, mudflats, and tidal creeks. It also has about 7 miles (11 km) of natural, undeveloped beaches.
About three-quarters of the refuge is made up of salt marshes. The rest is beaches, sand dunes, and forests near the ocean. The United States government owns most of Wassaw Island. It's a very important spot for Loggerhead sea turtles. These amazing turtles come to the beaches in late spring and early summer to lay their eggs.
Visitors can reach Wassaw Island only by boat. Many people anchor their boats near the north or south beaches. You can also anchor in Wassaw Creek, close to the refuge office's boat dock. The island has about 20 miles (32 km) of dirt trails. These trails are perfect for hiking or riding your bicycle.
Contents
What is the History of Wassaw Island?
People have used Wassaw Island for a very long time, but they haven't changed it much.
Early History and Native Americans
Long ago, Native Americans lived on and visited the island. They used it for hunting fish, birds, reptiles, and collecting shellfish. Scientists have found old tools and items from Native Americans that are about 1,500 years old.
Wassaw Island in the 1800s
For many years in the 1800s, an African American planter named Anthony Odingsell owned part of the island. He was a very successful person in Georgia at that time. During the American Civil War, soldiers from both sides, the Confederates and the Union, stayed on the island.
After the war, in 1866, a rich businessman named George Parsons bought the island. He wanted to make it a fun vacation spot for his family and friends. He built a home in the middle of the island. He also created about 20 miles (32 km) of roads inside the island.
Fort Morgan and the Spanish-American War
In 1898, during the Spanish–American War, a fort was built on the north end of the island. This fort was part of a system to protect the coast. Over time, the ocean's tides, wind, and rain have worn away parts of the fort. It was made from a mix of oyster shells, concrete, and granite.
Wassaw Island Becomes a Refuge
In 1969, the Parsons family decided to protect the island from being built on. They gave the island to a group called the Nature Conservancy of Georgia. Today, Wassaw Island is a National Wildlife Refuge. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A special group called the Caretta Research Project works on the island. They study the endangered Loggerhead sea turtles with the help of volunteers.
Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge: A Special Place
The Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1969. It is located about 14 miles (23 km) southeast of Savannah. The refuge includes the main Wassaw Island, two smaller islands called Little Wassaw Island, and some small, forested areas called hammocks.
The refuge is surrounded by water. The Wilmington River and Wassaw Sound are to the north. The Vernon River and Ossabaw Sound are to the south.
Rules for Visitors
To protect the wildlife and natural environment, there are some rules on the island's beach. You are not allowed to fish, collect shells, or disturb wildlife on the beach. Camping and biking are also not allowed on the beach itself.
Fort Morgan: A Historic Ruin
At the northern end of Wassaw Beach, you can find the remains of Fort Morgan. This fort was built in 1898 during the Spanish–American War. It was designed by Second Lieutenant Henry Sims Morgan. The fort was made from cement, granite gravel, and small clam shells.
Over the years, the ocean's tides and shifting sands have caused parts of the fort to crumble. Sometimes, you can see the rusty remains of bolts. These bolts once held two large cannons. These cannons were meant to protect Savannah from any ships approaching from the ocean. Fort Morgan was the biggest fort built just for the Spanish–American War.
Because the ruins are easy to see from other islands, there's a special survey marker on top of the concrete roof. After a big storm in 2017, the beach around the fort changed. Now, the structure is about 40 yards (37 m) away from the beach at low tide.
Wildlife: Who Lives on Wassaw Island?
Wassaw Island is home to many different animals. It's a safe place for them to live and grow.
Mammals and Reptiles
- White-tail deer: These graceful deer roam through the island's forests.
- Wild boar: These animals can be found in the wooded areas.
- Alligators: You might spot alligators in the marshy areas and freshwater ponds.
- Loggerhead sea turtles: These endangered sea turtles are very important to Wassaw Island. They come to the beaches to lay their eggs.
Birds
Wassaw Island is a fantastic place for birds, including many that migrate (travel long distances) each year.
- Bald eagles: You might see America's national bird soaring overhead.
- Egrets and Herons: These wading birds are common in the marshes and along the water's edge.
- Peregrine falcons: These fast-flying birds hunt over the island.
- Piping plovers: These small shorebirds are also an endangered species.
- Wood storks: These large wading birds are also protected.
- Many other migratory birds and shore birds use Wassaw Island as a resting and feeding stop.
Images for kids
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
