Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge along Connecticut coastline.
Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge comprises multiple sections spread across the Connecticut shoreline, protecting marshes, barrier beaches, and island habitats. Each unit has trails and viewing platforms that allow visitors to move through and observe the protected areas.
The site was created in 1972 with a different name, established to safeguard sensitive coastal areas from development. It was renamed in 1987 to honor a Congressional representative from the region.
The refuge functions as a place where people learn about how coastal habitats work and why they matter. Educational programs run by staff help visitors understand the living systems they see along the shore.
Sturdy footwear and insect repellent are necessary since trails pass through wet areas and marshes. Spring and fall offer better visiting conditions than summer, when insect activity peaks and humidity increases.
One section of the refuge hosts a rare seabird species that breeds there in substantial numbers during nesting season. This breeding site is one of few places in the region where visitors might see these particular birds.
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