About Us
In 2019, 10-acres were donated to the Service, by Southern Conservation Corporation, establishing Green River National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was established under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966. The purpose of the refuge is to restore and manage valuable bottomland hardwood forest, wetlands, uplands, and agricultural lands for the benefit of migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, and a variety or other wildlife for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Prior to establishment, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified a 53,000-acre Conservation Partnership Area, from which the Service will assemble 24,000 acres of land through donation and acquisition from willing sellers to create the refuge. Within the Conservation Partnership Area there is a variety of important habitat types consisting of farmland, river-scar oxbows, several sloughs, wetlands, bottomland hardwoods, and cypress sloughs. Once established, the refuge can provide recreational opportunities for visitors, including hunting and fishing.
Our Mission
The Green River National Wildlife Refuge will conserve floodplains of the Ohio and Green Rivers and portions of their surrounding landscapes for current and future generations. Refuge lands and waters will be managed for fish and wildlife populations with an emphasis on the management of waterfowl and other migratory birds, imperiled federal trust species, and improve water quality and quantity within the watersheds surrounding the refuge. As part of a system of public and private conservation lands, the refuge will expand outdoor recreational and educational opportunities, helping to support local economies.
Other Facilities in this Complex
Kentucky has two National Wildlife Refuges that are managed and located fully in the state. Both conserve and manage natural resources for future generations of outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge is located in three of Kentucky's counties: Marshall, McCracken, and Graves. It was established in 1998, and currently consists of approximately 9,500 acres.
