Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, National wildlife refuge in Sacramento County, United States
Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area containing 17,641 acres of wetlands, grasslands, and freshwater lakes in the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta system. The land includes multiple habitats that support walking trails, observation, and water-based recreation.
The refuge was established in 1994 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect Central Valley habitats from urban expansion. Its creation reflected efforts to preserve natural landscapes threatened by regional development.
The refuge functions as an educational center where local volunteers guide visitors through grasslands and waterways during weekend nature programs.
The refuge is open daily and visitors can explore trails and take part in seasonal activities like guided tours and paddling. The best time to visit is during bird migration periods when the most species are present in the area.
The refuge hosts over 200 bird species and contains some of the last remaining natural freshwater lakes in California's Central Valley. These intact lakes offer rare chances to see freshwater ecosystems in a region where they have nearly disappeared.
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