Kern National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
Kern National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southern portion of California
's San Joaquin Valley
, 20 miles west of the city of Delano
. Situated on the southern margin of what was once the largest freshwater
wetland
complex in the western United States, Kern National Wildlife Refuge provides optimum wintering habitat for migratory birds with an emphasis on waterfowl
and water birds.
Through restoration and maintenance of native habitat diversity, the refuge also provides suitable habitat for several endangered species
as well as preserving a remnant example of the historic valley uplands in the San Joaquin Desert. Approximately 5,500 visitors annually participate in refuge programs ranging from waterfowl hunting
to wildlife viewing.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
, 20 miles west of the city of Delano
Delano, California
Delano's climate is characteristic of the San Joaquin Valley. The weather is hot and dry during the summer and cool and damp in winter. Frequent ground fog known regionally as "tule fog" can obscure vision. Record temperatures range between 115°F and 14°F...
. Situated on the southern margin of what was once the largest freshwater
Freshwater
Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and...
wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
complex in the western United States, Kern National Wildlife Refuge provides optimum wintering habitat for migratory birds with an emphasis on waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
and water birds.
Through restoration and maintenance of native habitat diversity, the refuge also provides suitable habitat for several endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
as well as preserving a remnant example of the historic valley uplands in the San Joaquin Desert. Approximately 5,500 visitors annually participate in refuge programs ranging from waterfowl hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
to wildlife viewing.