The Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a planned National Wildlife Refuge

National Wildlife Refuge

National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...

 in Monroe County, Pennsylvania

Monroe County, Pennsylvania

-National protected areas:* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area * Middle Delaware National Scenic River -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there are 176,567 people, 49,454 households, and 36,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 228 people per square mile...

.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

’s Cherry Valley

Cherry Valley

Cherry Valley may refer to:Places in the United States:* Cherry Valley, Arkansas* Cherry Valley, California, in Riverside County* Cherry Valley, Illinois* Cherry Valley , New York, site of:...

 is rich in natural resources and wildlife diversity. Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek may refer to a location in the United States:*Cherry Creek , a stream in California*Cherry Creek , a tributary of the South Platte River*Cherry Creek, Denver, Colorado, a neighborhood**Cherry Creek Shopping Center...

 flows through southern Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania, flowing into the Delaware River

Delaware River

The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...

. For generations, local landowners and conservation organizations safeguarded the valley’s clean waters and important natural communities. Recent rapid residential and commercial growth in Monroe County, however, has outpaced efforts to protect these resources. The county is within a two-hour drive of millions of people.

In December 2008, the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved the establishment of the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe County, Pennsylvania after a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued by the Northeast Regional Director.

Habitat

Pennsylvania’s Cherry Valley is rich in natural resources and wildlife diversity. Cherry Creek flows through the northeastern corner of the Commonwealth before feeding into the Delaware River. The 30,000-acre valley harbors nationally significant ecosystems and many protected plant and animals, including federally listed threatened or endangered species. The Kittatinny Ridge, following the creek’s path, is a major avenue for migrating birds of prey, songbirds, waterfowl and bats.

Wildlife

Federal Trust Species in Cherry Valley :American eel, bog turtle, bald eagle, Northeastern bulrush, dwedgemussel, Indiana bat