Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is a large protected area in north-central Nebraska featuring sand hills, native grasslands, lakes, and wetlands across more than 71,000 acres. The refuge provides habitat for over 260 bird species and supports diverse populations of mammals and reptiles.
The refuge was established in 1935 to protect breeding grounds for migratory birds after the landscape had been shaped by glacial activity thousands of years earlier. The sand dunes that form its foundation were created when glaciers deposited sediment across the region during ancient ice ages.
The refuge draws visitors seeking to experience native prairie and wetland ecosystems that once covered much of this region before settlement. Walking through the grasslands, visitors encounter the landscape that shaped life for countless generations across the Great Plains.
The refuge lies about 20 miles south of Valentine along US Highway 83 and welcomes visitors year-round for bird watching, fishing, hiking, and hunting. Plan for changing weather and bring appropriate gear for your chosen activity, as conditions vary significantly by season.
Within the refuge lie Research Natural Areas that protect undisturbed meadows and wetlands where over 59 mammal species and 22 reptile species live without human interference. These preserved zones allow scientists to study natural ecosystems in their original state.
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