Rappahannock
River Valley National Wildlife Refuge

• Established in 1996.
• Part of the National Wildlife Refuge System that the US Fish & Wildlife Service manages for the conservation and restoration of the fish, wildlife and plants that inhabit them for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
• The Refuge was created to help preserve the critical ecosystems along the Rappahannock River and the wetlands, streams, and upland areas in its watershed.
• The Refuge provides a habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl, such as the Bald Eagle, and other native wildlife.
• There are currently 17 Refuge units containing over 9,500 acres located in Essex, King George, Caroline, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties.
• The goal of the Refuge is to protect up to 20,000 acres.
• The Refuge contains fresh water tidal marsh, forest swamp, upland deciduous forest, mixed pine forest, and grassland habitats

For more information, visit the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge website.