About Us

The first National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee, Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge was established on August 12, 1938, by Executive Order 7953. Subsequent lands were acquired under the authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The refuge was specifically authorized “... as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife ...” , and also “... for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds”.

Other Facilities in this Complex

Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There are four other refuges included in the Complex.

An image of an adult Canada Goose with four chicks.
Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 11,556 acres in west Tennessee, and serves as an important resting and feeding area for wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds.
National Wildlife Refuge
Stanton,TN
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 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