Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife refuge in Juneau County, United States.
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is a federally protected area in Juneau County, Wisconsin, made up of wetlands, oak forests, and open savanna. The refuge has several miles of trails, wildlife observation platforms, and areas set aside for seasonal hunting and photography.
The refuge was established in 1939 on land that had previously been used for farming and drainage projects. Over the following decades, it became a key site for endangered species recovery programs, especially for the whooping crane.
The refuge is one of the few places in Wisconsin where whooping cranes can be seen in the wild, drawing birdwatchers from across the country. In spring and fall, visitors gather at the observation areas to watch these rare birds during their stopovers.
The main entrance on Headquarters Road is the best starting point for accessing the trails and observation areas. Some sections of the refuge close seasonally for hunting, so it is worth checking which areas are open before your visit.
Young whooping cranes raised at the refuge were trained to follow ultralight aircraft as a substitute for parent birds, teaching them a migration route from Wisconsin to Florida. The handlers who worked with the chicks wore crane costumes so the birds would not associate humans with their caregivers.
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