San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Coordinates: 48°38′49″N 123°04′59″W / 48.64704°N 123.08296°W / 48.64704; -123.08296
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[1]
Willow Island
Map showing the location of San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
LocationSan Juan County, Washington, United States
Nearest cityFriday Harbor, Washington
Coordinates48°38′49″N 123°04′59″W / 48.64704°N 123.08296°W / 48.64704; -123.08296[2]
Area454 acres (1.84 km2)
Established1976
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteSan Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge

The San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is in the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as one of six in the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex
.

All but three of the islands are designated

Washington State Park System, five acres of Matia Island and Turn Island; Smith Island; and Minor Island.[4]

The

habitats
of the various islands range from small rocks to larger grassy or forested islands, some with high cliffs that provide nesting sites for a large variety of marine birds.

Wildlife

The San Juan Wilderness provides sanctuary for a large variety of animals including species of

auklet, bald eagle, and harbor seal.[5]

An estimated 200 species of birds visit the islands each year. Harbor seals and whales are common in surrounding water and

black brant have historically used the kelp beds for winter feeding.[6]

Recreation

Recreation in San Juan Wilderness is limited to wildlife watching from afar. Boaters are requested to stay 200 yards from wilderness when observing wildlife. Public entry to the designated land is not permitted, with the exception of Matia Island, which is accessed by a cove with a dock. Matia Island has a 5 acres (0.020 km2) campground and a 1 mile (1.6 km) trail through the wilderness.[5]

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

  1. ^ "Protected Planet | San Juan County/Cypress Island Marine Biological Preserve". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  2. ^ "San Juan Wilderness (San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge)". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. ^ "Plan Your Visit". San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Rocks, Reefs, and Islands Within San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge" (PDF). Fish and Wildlife Service.
  5. ^ a b San Juan Wilderness - Wilderness.net
  6. ^ San Juan Wilderness, Washington - GORP

External links

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