Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge on Olympic Peninsula, Washington, US
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area on the Olympic Peninsula featuring a sand spit that extends into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The landscape includes tidal flats and eelgrass beds that serve as important habitat for marine animals and migratory birds.
The refuge was established in 1915 to protect breeding areas for wild birds along the Pacific coast. These early conservation efforts formed the basis for today's management of this coastal ecosystem.
The refuge forms part of the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, a network of protected areas managed from central offices in Sequim.
The refuge is accessible from Highway 101 and offers opportunities to walk trails and observe wildlife in its natural setting. The best time to visit is during migration seasons in spring and fall when bird and animal activity is at its peak.
The sand spit is a shifting landscape constantly reshaped by ocean currents while harbor seals rest and raise their young on secluded beaches. This dynamic habitat provides juvenile fish with the perfect conditions to grow and thrive.
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