Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Nature reserve in Santa Cruz County, United States
Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area in Santa Cruz County comprising four separate units across roughly 168 acres of mixed habitats. The land includes oak woodlands, chaparral shrubland, willow thickets, and seasonal ponds that fill during wetter months.
The refuge was established in 1975 after the California Department of Fish and Game purchased the land to protect the area's salamander population. This acquisition marked an early effort to save native species from habitat loss in the region.
Scientists and researchers study the four distinct units of the refuge to monitor endangered species and develop conservation strategies for California's coastal ecosystems.
The refuge is closed to public visits because the habitats are too sensitive for regular foot traffic. Visitors can learn about the site and its conservation work by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for detailed information.
The refuge shelters two of only 24 known breeding populations of a rare salamander species, making it critical for species survival. These two populations represent some of the last strongholds of this endangered animal.
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