About Us
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Two federally listed endangered species, the Iowa Pleistocene snail and northern monkshood, are found on the refuge. Located in northeast Iowa, the 1,238 acre refuge includes units that range in size from six acres to 209 acres. Refuge lands include upland hardwood forests, grassland, stream and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian habitats.
Protection of endangered species is the primary management focus of Driftless Area 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.
The purpose of Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge is to conserve fish or wildlife that are listed as endangered or threatened species or plants. The purpose and goals of the refuge are directly tied to recovery plans which describe the conditions needed to recover the northern monkshood and Iowa Pleistocene snail.
Our History
1989 - Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge was established under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 for the protection and recovery of the federally threatened northern monkshood plant and the endangered Iowa Pleistocene snail.
Other Facilities in this Complex
The refuge is complexed with the McGregor District of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
