About Us

Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge, which also includes Egg Island and Little Egg Island, is located at the mouth of the Altamaha River on the Georgia coast. The refuge consists of a long narrow strip of oceanfront beach backed by a broad band of salt marsh salt marsh
Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.

Learn more about salt marsh which makes up over 75% of the refuge's total acreage. The entire refuge was designated a National Wilderness Area in 1975 and provides critical sanctuary for migrating birds and nursery habitat for sea turtles. Though the refuge's surrounding saltwater is open to recreational activities like boating and fishing, the beach, marsh, and all other upland areas are closed to the public.

Our Mission

Based on sound science and wilderness values, the Wolf Island NWR will protect, manage and, where appropriate, restore the Atlantic Coastal Barrier Island System to provide for wildlife, plants, and threatened and endangered species as well as their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations.

Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established to serve a statutory purpose that targets the conservation of native species dependent on its lands and waters. All activities on those acres are reviewed for compatibility with this statutory purpose. The purpose(s) of this unit is. . .“…as a sanctuary for migratory birds.”

Our History

April 3, 1930:  Wolf Island NWR established by Executive Order No. 5316 as a 538-acre sanctuary for migratory birds.

October 3, 1972:  United States bought an additional 4,071 acres from The Nature Conservancy for inclusion in Wolf Island NWR.

December 8, 1972:  The rest of the refuge (517 acres) was added by a Declaration of Taking determined by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Georgia.

January 3, 1975:  Congress designated the refuge as a National Wilderness Area.

Other Facilities in this Complex

Wolf Island NWR is one of seven refuges administered by the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex which is headquartered at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center located in Hardeeville, South Carolina.

Sunrise on the shore of Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge
Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge
As one of Georgia's barrier islands, Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge provides protection to the coastline and habitat for a diversity of wildlife, including summertime nesting sea turtles, and year-round shorebird activity.
National Wildlife Refuge
Hardeeville,SC
Sunrise over the wading bird rookery at Woody Pond
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) serves as an important link in the chain of refuges along the eastern seaboard, and is the inland base for two neighboring barrier island refuges, Blackbeard Island and Wolf Island.
National Wildlife Refuge
Townsend,GA
View of Ibis Pond with clouds reflecting off of the water.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is an important link in the chain of wildlife refuges along the Atlantic Flyway, attracting thousands of migratory birds annually. The refuge also provides nesting habitat, called a rookery, for colonial wading birds such as ibis, egrets, and herons.
National Wildlife Refuge
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Bobcat kittens
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
The Savannah River is the lifeblood of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge which provides rich habitats that support a diverse array of migratory and resident wildlife. Visitors are welcome on the 4.5 mile Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive and all refuge trails daily, from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor...
National Wildlife Refuge
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View fron the south end of Tybee NWR looking north up the Savannah River
Tybee National Wildlife Refuge
Tybee National Wildlife Refuge, located at the mouth of the Savannah River, is a small but important area for native and migratory songbirds and shorebirds. Due to its limited habitat, small size, and location at the mouth of the Savannah River, where ship traffic makes navigation treacherous,...
National Wildlife Refuge
Boneyard beach at Wassaw NWR
Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge
Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge serves as an important link in the chain of barrier islands that lie along the Atlantic Flyway, providing excellent habitat for a variety of migratory birds. With little development and few management practices, the 10,053-acre refuge is one of the most pristine on...
National Wildlife Refuge
Hardeeville,SC