Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife
Refuge located on the shores of Willapa Bay in Washington, USA. It comprises
11,000 acres (45 km2) of sand dunes, sand beaches, mud flats, grasslands,
saltwater and freshwater marshes, and coniferous forest. The refuge includes
Long Island with stands of old growth Western red cedar and hemlock. Willapa
National Wildlife Refuge preserves many of unique ecosystems including salt
marshes, muddy tideflats, rain drenched old growth forests, and coastal dunes
and beaches.
Freshwater marshes and grasslands are found along the
southern shore of Willapa Bay. Visitors to the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
can enjoy viewing a wide variety of wildlife. Roosevelt elk, black bear,
shorebirds, and spawning salmon are just a few of the many species that reside
on the Refuge. The refuge is home to several endangered and threatened species
including the snowy plover, marbled murrelets, and brown pelican. Other birds
that are commonly spotted throughout the refuge include bald eagles, great blue
herons, peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks, marsh wrens, and golden-crowned
kinglets.
