About Us

The Hatchie River in summer.
Image Details

Established in 1964, Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge is located along 23 miles of the Hatchie River in Haywood County in west Tennessee. The purpose for which the refuge was established is “... for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds.”. 

Our Mission

The primary purpose of the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge is to protect and enhance an excellent example of a fully functioning, river-driven bottomland hardwood ecosystem that supplies critical habitat needs for wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds, as well as a host of other fish and wildlife species, and provides refuge visitors the opportunity to learn the value of this unique and diminishing habitat.   

Other Facilities in this Complex

Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

An image of a flock of geese standing in a wetland.
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1985. It has the largest tract of bottomland hardwood forest in Tennessee, and lies in the Lower Mississippi River floodplain.
National Wildlife Refuge
Ripley,TN
An image of a male and female mallard ducks flying.
Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
Lower Hatchie Refuge is located at the confluence of the Hatchie and Mississippi Rivers in Lauderdale and Tipton Counties in west Tennessee. The refuge encompasses the lower reaches of the Hatchie River.
National Wildlife Refuge
Henning,TN
An image of a Northern Shoveler landing in a wetland.
Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 and became the first National Wildlife Refuge in the state of Tennessee. The refuge currently encompasses 1,850 acres and is located in Lake County, Tennessee.
National Wildlife Refuge
Union City,TN
An image of a Bald Eagle.
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge was established to manage the upper third of Reelfoot Lake as a refuge for migratory birds. Reelfoot is a wintering ground for migratory waterfowl and bald eagles.
National Wildlife Refuge
Union City,TN