About Us
Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964 with funds from the purchase of migratory waterfowl stamps. It lies in Pike County, Missouri, Pool 25 about one mile east of the small town of Annada, Missouri.
The refuge was named in honor of Congressman Clarence Cannon who was influential in its establishment. The area was formerly part of an agricultural levee district and all but a few hundred acres is encompassed by a levee. The refuge covers 3,750 acres of Mississippi River floodplain and was established to provide a feeding and resting area for migratory birds. The refuge is comprised of managed moist soil units, open water, wet meadows and bottomland forest habitats.
The refuge office is also the headquarters for Great River National Wildlife Refuge and Middle Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge.
Our Mission
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Every national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge was created for a special purpose. Some were created to protect migratory birds, others to protect threatened or endangered species or unique habitats, while others fulfill another special purpose. All activities allowed on refuges must be evaluated to make sure each activity will not conflict with the reason the refuge was founded.
Our History
1964 - The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service purchased land for the establishment of Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge.
1991 - A pair of bald eagles built the first eagle nest on the refuge.
2001 - The first managed rifle deer hunt is held at the refuge.
2008 - The new headquarters office and visitor contact station is completed.
Other Facilities in this Complex
Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Great River National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The complex spans two states (Illinois and Missouri) and includes a series of island and land divisions along the Mississippi River. The complex includes Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, Great River National Wildlife Refuge and Middle Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge. All three refuges are managed from the headquarters building located at Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge in Annada, Missouri.
