About Us

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge is located in Santa Cruz County within the Monterey Bay area. The refuge, established in 1975 to protect the endangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, supports two of the 24 known breeding populations of the salamander. When the California red-legged frog was listed as a threatened species in 1996 and the California tiger salamander in 2004, the purpose of the refuge expanded to include protection of these two species.  Over time more properties were added to the refuge.  The addition of the Calabasas Unit was significant because it also supports California red-legged frog breeding sites and the addition of the Harkins Slough Unit provides freshwater habitat for migratory birds.  Because of the sensitive nature of the habitats, the refuge is closed to visitors.

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.

Other Facilities in this Complex

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Other refuges in the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex include: Salinas River, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay, Farallon Islands, Marin Islands, San Pablo Bay, and Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. 

The Refuge Complex headquarters is located at 1 Marshlands Rd. Fremont, CA. 94555.

A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs. Typically, a project leader or complex manager oversees the general management of all refuges within the complex and refuge managers are responsible for operations at specific refuges. Supporting staff, composed of administrative, law enforcement, refuge manager, biological, fire, visitor services, and maintenance professionals, are centrally located and support all refuges within the complex.

White pelican flying over a marsh with a city in the background.
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Marshland at San Pablo Bay NWR with mountains in background
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Antioch Dunes evening primrose
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Tree branches in the foreground overlooking open water with a small island and mountains in the background.
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