The Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuge is a 1400 acres (567 ha) 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...

 located near Darlove, Mississippi. The Refuge was named after Holt Collier

Holt Collier

Holt Collier was a noted African-American bear hunter and sportsman who contributed to popular culture by helping to create the Teddy Bear phenomenon.-Biography:...

, a Confederate veteran, cowboy, and tracker and was created in order to provide a habitat and resources for over 250 songbirds. Moreover, approximately 1000 acres (4 km²) has been set aside for reforestation.

History

Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuge is the only refuge to be named in honor of an African American

African American

African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...

. Before 2004 the Farmers Home Administration

Farmers Home Administration

In 1946 Farmers Home Administration replaced the Farm Security Administration which superseded the Resettlement Administration. Its mission and programs involved extending credit for agriculture and rural development. Direct and guaranteed credit went to individual farmers, low-income families,...

 managed the lands for the purpose of conservation until they were transferred to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

United States Fish and Wildlife Service

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...

.