| Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 | |
  Map of the United States | |
| Location | Monterey County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Castroville, California |
| Coordinates | 36°44′30″N 121°48′14″W / 36.74162°N 121.80384°W[1] |
| Area | 367 acres (1.49 km2) |
| Established | 1974 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge |
Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 11 miles north of Monterey, California, and 3 miles south of Castroville, California, at the point where the Salinas River empties into Monterey Bay. The 367-acre (1.49 km2) refuge encompasses several habitat types including sand dunes, pickleweed salt marsh, river lagoon, riverine habitat, and a saline pond. The refuge was established in 1974 because of its "particular value in carrying out the national migratory bird management program."[2]
The area provides habitat for several threatened and endangered species, including the California brown pelican, Smith's blue butterfly, the western snowy plover, the Monterey sand gilia, and the Monterey spineflower. The refuge is used by a variety of migratory birds during breeding, wintering, and migrating periods. Refuge mammals include muskrat, golden beaver, gray fox, red fox, striped skunk, longtail weasel, Virginia opossum, vagrant shrew, broad-footed mole, brush rabbit, raccoon, duskyfooted woodrat, deer mouse, and coyote.[3]
Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge is open to the public though there are no facilities beyond a parking lot and footpaths.
Dogs, horseback riding, and camping are not permitted due to the sensitivity of the habitat.
- ^ "Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
- ^ Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan Summary (PDF) (Report). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. December 2002. Retrieved 2010-12-16.