Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge, located approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) off the coast of Darien, Georgia
in McIntosh County
, was established on April 3, 1930 to provide protection and habitat for migratory birds. The barrier island
refuge consists of Wolf Island and two smaller islands, Egg and Little Egg. Over 75% of the refuge's 5126 acres (20.7 km²) are composed of saltwater marsh
.
Wolf Island NWR was designated a National Wilderness Area in 1975 and is maintained as such, with its primary purpose being to provide protection for migratory birds and such endangered and threatened species as the loggerhead sea turtle
and piping plover
. Due to its status as a wilderness area, no public use facilities are planned on the refuge. Though the refuge's saltwaters are open to a variety of recreational activities such as fishing
and crabbing, all beach, marsh, and upland areas are closed to the public.
Darien, Georgia
Darien is a city in McIntosh County, Georgia, United States. It lies on Georgia's coast at the mouth of the Altamaha River about 50 miles south of Savannah, and is part of the Brunswick, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population of Darien was 1,719 at the 2000 census. The city is the...
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...
, was established on April 3, 1930 to provide protection and habitat for migratory birds. The barrier island
Barrier island
Barrier islands, a coastal landform and a type of barrier system, are relatively narrow strips of sand that parallel the mainland coast. They usually occur in chains, consisting of anything from a few islands to more than a dozen...
refuge consists of Wolf Island and two smaller islands, Egg and Little Egg. Over 75% of the refuge's 5126 acres (20.7 km²) are composed of saltwater marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
.
Wolf Island NWR was designated a National Wilderness Area in 1975 and is maintained as such, with its primary purpose being to provide protection for migratory birds and such endangered and threatened species as the loggerhead sea turtle
Loggerhead sea turtle
The loggerhead sea turtle , or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to have been discovered...
and piping plover
Piping Plover
The Piping Plover is a small sand-colored, sparrow-sized shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America. The adult has yellow-orange legs, a black band across the forehead from eye to eye, and a black ring around the neck...
. Due to its status as a wilderness area, no public use facilities are planned on the refuge. Though the refuge's saltwaters are open to a variety of recreational activities such as fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and crabbing, all beach, marsh, and upland areas are closed to the public.