Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
The Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge (HNNWR) was established in 1962 by transfer of federal lands formerly managed by the Federal Aviation Administration as a World War II
Army airfield
. It consists of 2762 acres (11.2 km²) of saltwater marsh, grassland, mixed deciduous woods, and cropland.
HNNWR is located in McIntosh County
, Georgia
. In the summer, thousands of egret
s and heron
s nest in the swamps, while in the winter, large concentrations of duck
s (especially mallard
s, gadwall and teal) gather in the marshland and freshwater pools. Harris Neck NWR is also an important nesting area for the endangered Wood Stork.
The public access to the refuge consists of over 15 miles (24.1 km) of paved roads and trails provide the visitor easy access to the many different habitats.
Chosen for its accessibility and bird diversity, Harris Neck is one of 18 sites forming the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, inaugurated in 2000.
Historically, Harris Neck was a mostly black village, settled in 1865 by a former slave deeded the land by a plantation owner. Village residents built oyster and crab processing factories. The land was condemned in 1942 for an Army airfield
, the families being given 2 weeks to remove themselves. At the time of transfer the black families were given $26.90 per acre (their 89 tracts ranged form $2.44 to $5,921/acre) and the white families were given $37.31 per acre (their 19 tracts ranged form $2.09 to $1,260/acre).
Members of the displaced community and their descendants are attempting to work out a compromise with the federal government to allow them to return to their land.
This would allow them to help preserve the way of life of their Gullah
ancestors.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Army airfield
Harris Neck Army Airfield
Harris Neck Army Airfield is an abandoned military airfield located in what is now the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh County, Georgia. It is located north of the intersection of Route 131 & Harris Neck Airport Road, about southwest of Savannah, Georgia.-History:Harris Neck is a...
. It consists of 2762 acres (11.2 km²) of saltwater marsh, grassland, mixed deciduous woods, and cropland.
HNNWR is located in McIntosh County
McIntosh County, Georgia
McIntosh County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Brunswick, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of McIntosh, Glynn, and Brantley counties. As of 2010, the population is 14,333. The county seat is Darien.-History:McIntosh County was split...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. In the summer, thousands of egret
Egret
An egret is any of several herons, most of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine plumes during the breeding season. Many egrets are members of the genera Egretta or Ardea which contain other species named as herons rather than egrets...
s and heron
Heron
The herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae. There are 64 recognised species in this family. Some are called "egrets" or "bitterns" instead of "heron"....
s nest in the swamps, while in the winter, large concentrations of duck
Duck
Duck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
s (especially mallard
Mallard
The Mallard , or Wild Duck , is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia....
s, gadwall and teal) gather in the marshland and freshwater pools. Harris Neck NWR is also an important nesting area for the endangered Wood Stork.
The public access to the refuge consists of over 15 miles (24.1 km) of paved roads and trails provide the visitor easy access to the many different habitats.
Chosen for its accessibility and bird diversity, Harris Neck is one of 18 sites forming the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, inaugurated in 2000.
History and controversy
Harris Neck Army Airfield
Harris Neck Army Airfield is an abandoned military airfield located in what is now the Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh County, Georgia. It is located north of the intersection of Route 131 & Harris Neck Airport Road, about southwest of Savannah, Georgia.-History:Harris Neck is a...
, the families being given 2 weeks to remove themselves. At the time of transfer the black families were given $26.90 per acre (their 89 tracts ranged form $2.44 to $5,921/acre) and the white families were given $37.31 per acre (their 19 tracts ranged form $2.09 to $1,260/acre).
Members of the displaced community and their descendants are attempting to work out a compromise with the federal government to allow them to return to their land.
This would allow them to help preserve the way of life of their Gullah
Gullah
The Gullah are African Americans who live in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and Georgia, which includes both the coastal plain and the Sea Islands....
ancestors.