Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management Area

Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management Area is a protected refuge at the mouth of the Housatonic River covering about 625 acres of brackish tidal marsh. The site is bounded by the Milford Point barrier beach to the east and provides essential habitat for numerous bird species and other wildlife.

The area received its name in 1955 to honor Connecticut state senator Charles E. Wheeler, who championed the protection of wetlands at the river mouth. His advocacy was instrumental in preserving this important ecological zone for the future.

This refuge serves as a crucial stopover point for migratory birds traveling along the coast, where ducks, geese, swans, and shorebirds gather seasonally. Visitors can observe how the wetland supports diverse bird populations that shift with changing seasons.

Access to this refuge requires watercraft and depends on an unimproved boat launch operated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Plan for wet conditions and bring appropriate footwear or expect to navigate shallow water and mud.

The wetlands display distinct vegetation layers created by salt marsh cordgrass at lower elevations and saltmeadow cordgrass at higher elevations, each adapted to specific water conditions. This natural pattern illustrates how plants organize themselves across changing terrain.