Location Long Island, New York Phone +1 631-286-0485 | Area 2,550 acres (10.3 km) Established 1947 | |
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Nearest city Shirley / Brookhaven (CDP) Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Website Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge Address 340 Smith Rd, Shirley, NY 11967, USA Management United States Fish and Wildlife Service Similar Elizabeth A Morton National, Seatuck National Wildlife R, Amagansett National Wildlife R, Sayville National Wildlife R, Target Rock National | ||
The Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge is located on the south shore of Long Island and is one of the undeveloped estuary systems on Long Island. In 1947, Maurice Wertheim donated 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) on eastern Long Island to the United States government; the donated land subsequently became the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge's purpose is to protect the Carmans River Estuary for migratory birds. Wertheim hosts a variety of habitats including oak-pine woodlands, grasslands, and fresh, brackish and salt water wetlands. These habitats attract and support many types of wildlife including white-tailed deer, osprey, muskrat, fox, turtles, frogs and fish. The refuge also serves as a haven for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds.
Contents
In 2012 the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex opened a new visitor center and headquarters facility in the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. The building includes an interactive exhibit hall, environmental education classroom and administrative offices.
Wertheim national wildlife refuge
PopulationEdit
The refuge's wildlife populations are mainly diverse. There are about 300 species of birds at the refuge. The refuge winters up to 5,000 waterfowl, most of them being black ducks - a species that is declining. The coastal location also makes this refuge an excellent migration place for shorebirds, raptors and songbirds.