William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
|
|
 William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Oregon
|
|
| Location | Benton County, Oregon, United States |
| Nearest city | Corvallis, OR |
| Area | 5,706 acres (2,309 ha) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Named for | William L. Finley |
| Governing body | United States Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | William L. Finley NWR |
.jpg)
The William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is a special natural area in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, United States. It was created to give dusky Canada geese a safe place to spend the winter. These geese are unique because they only live in certain areas during summer and winter. They build their nests in Alaska and spend almost all their winters in the Willamette Valley.
This refuge helps protect many important habitats in the valley. It includes the biggest area of native Willamette Valley wet prairie left. You can also find fields of food crops for wildlife, Oregon white oak forests, winding creeks, and native grasslands here.
Contents
Why Was the Refuge Created?
The main reason the William L. Finley Refuge was started was to protect the dusky Canada goose. Unlike other Canada geese, these geese have very specific places they call home. They fly all the way from Alaska's Copper River Delta to the Willamette Valley for winter.
Over time, the places where these geese live have been shrinking. Also, more predators and hunting have caused their numbers to go down. The refuge gives them a safe and quiet place to rest and find food during the colder months.
What Animals and Plants Live Here?
The refuge works to protect many native plants and animals. It helps keep the different kinds of life (biodiversity) healthy. Rare habitats like oak savannahs, upland prairies, and wet prairies are also cared for.
You can find endangered and threatened species here. These include the Oregon chub, a small fish, and Bradshaw's desert parsley, a rare plant. A group of Roosevelt elk also lives in the forests and fields of the refuge.
How the Refuge Helps Wildlife
The refuge manages its land carefully to help the animals. Farmers work with the refuge to plant special grasses in the fields. These grasses are a favorite food for the geese. Water is also very important for the geese to rest and find food.
Many wetlands in the refuge are natural. Others are created or improved by building small walls called dikes and levees. Some areas that were once drained are now being restored. This helps create more diverse and useful habitats for all kinds of wildlife.
Most of the wetlands are managed to grow plants like millet and smartweed. These plants are great food for waterfowl (birds that live near water) and other animals. By resting in these undisturbed areas, the geese can get enough energy for their long migration and nesting. This also helps prevent them from eating crops on nearby private farms.
History of the Refuge
The William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge was named after William L. Finley. He was an early conservationist, which means he worked to protect nature. Finley convinced President Theodore Roosevelt to create the first National Wildlife Refuge west of the Mississippi River.
There is also an old house on the refuge called the Fiechter House. It was built in 1857 and is believed to be the oldest house in Benton County.
Visiting the Refuge
Two county roads that go through the refuge are open to the public all year. You can also visit four viewpoints with information boards and two trails: Woodpecker Loop and Mill Hill.
To keep the geese safe and undisturbed, some parts of the refuge are closed to visitors during winter. This "winter waterfowl closure" is from November 1 to March 31. During this time, only the two trails, viewpoints, and the headquarters building are open. This helps the geese get the quiet rest they need.
