William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge in Benton County, Oregon.
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area of over 5,700 acres of wetlands, oak savannah, and Douglas fir forest in the Willamette Valley of western Oregon. The landscape features several ponds, pastures, and open meadows that create habitat for thousands of birds and other wildlife.
The refuge was established in 1964 to protect migratory birds and other wildlife in this section of the Willamette Valley. It also contains the Fiechter House from 1855, the oldest standing building in Benton County, which reflects the area's settlement history.
The refuge is named after William L. Finley, a conservationist who persuaded President Theodore Roosevelt to establish the first wildlife refuge west of the Mississippi River. Visitors walking the grounds encounter interpretive signs and displays that tell the story of this conservation movement.
Visitors can access twelve miles of marked trails for hiking and photography throughout the grounds. Be aware that many areas close from November through March to avoid disturbing the geese that winter there.
The refuge partners with local farmers to cultivate specific grasses that provide nutrition for the dusky Canada geese that winter there. This collaboration shows how farming practices can directly support wildlife conservation in the region.
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