Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, National wildlife refuge between Buffalo and Rochester, United States.
This refuge spans approximately 10,828 acres of wetlands, swamps, meadows, fields, and woodlands in Genesee and Orleans counties in western New York. The landscape includes open water surfaces, dense vegetation, and cleared field areas that create diverse habitats for wildlife.
The refuge was established in 1958 as Oak Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and was later renamed to avoid confusion with a nearby conservation area. This name change marked a shift in how the reserve was managed and identified.
The trails and water features bear names from the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy: Cayuga, Oneida, Mohawk, Seneca, Onondaga, and Tuscarora. This naming reflects the indigenous peoples whose lands once covered this area.
The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset for visitors interested in hiking, photography, fishing, and hunting with appropriate permits. Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended, as conditions vary by season and terrain.
The refuge features four main water pools that together support more than 260 bird species along with numerous mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. These water basins form the core of the ecosystem and draw bird watchers from the region.
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