Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Nature reserve in northern California, US
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a nature reserve in northern California featuring wetlands, marshes, and working farmland spread across a basin near the Oregon border. The landscape supports numerous birds and other wildlife throughout the year.
The refuge was established in 1928 to protect essential bird habitats along a major migration corridor. This decision came from recognizing how vital the region is for seasonal movements of countless birds across the western coast.
The landscape reflects a long-standing partnership between farming and nature conservation, with local growers cultivating crops like potatoes and onions for generations. This practice has become central to how the area defines itself, showing how human work and wildlife can coexist.
A visitor center offers maps and information for wildlife viewing. Well-maintained trails run through the area, and the best time to observe birds depends on the season as different species arrive at different times.
The refuge uses a special program that converts farmland into temporary wetlands every two years. This rotation allows both farming and nature conservation to happen in the same place without sacrificing one for the other.
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