Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge

Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area on Long Island's south fork covering about 60 acres of habitat. The site includes maritime grasslands, oak-beech forests, shrub areas, kettle holes, freshwater marshes, and salt marshes.

Stanley Howard donated this land in 1971 to establish a protected area for native species conservation. This gift transformed the location into a refuge for the region's wildlife.

The refuge forms part of a broader wetland system and demonstrates the natural habitats typical of Long Island's south fork coast. Visitors can experience the distinctive mix of salt marshes and forest edges that shape this region's landscape.

Special permits are required to access the refuge for specific activities such as biological research and environmental education. It helps to check ahead about current access regulations and which activities are permitted.

Within the maritime grasslands grows prickly pear cactus, a rare plant species in this region. This grassland community represents one of fewer than 100 such systems worldwide, making it botanically distinctive.

Location: New York

Inception: 1971

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/conscience_point

GPS coordinates: 40.94140,-72.42080

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:24