Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife refuge in Polk County, Oregon.
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Polk County, Oregon, covering wetlands, oak woodlands, croplands, and grasslands. These varied habitats support over 230 recorded bird species as well as many other animals throughout the year.
The refuge was created in 1965 to protect key wintering grounds for dusky Canada geese migrating south from Alaska. Over the following decades, nearby farmland was added to grow the protected area over time.
The name of the refuge honors George J. Baskett, an early Willamette Valley settler who raised thoroughbred horses on this land. That farming past is still visible today in the way the fields and open areas are shaped and tended.
Early morning is the best time to spot birds and other wildlife, as activity tends to be highest just after dawn. The refuge has dirt trails and viewing platforms, but some areas close between October and March to protect the animals during that period.
The refuge is home to one of the largest populations of the endangered Fender's blue butterfly, a rare species that depends entirely on the native Kincaid's lupine plant to survive. The lupine is actively managed here to help keep this butterfly population going.
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