The Flickr site is brought to you courtesy of Seney Natural History Association.

Great Horned Owl.
Credit: Vicki DeLoach, Flickr Creative Commons.

Painted Turtles.
Credit: Jim Hill.

Black-eyed Susan.
Credit: Sara Hollerich, USFWS.

Common Raven.
Credit: Rick Leche, Flickr Creative Commons.

Ovenbird.
Credit: Michael J. Pazzani, Flickr Creative Commons.

Deer Mouse.
Credit: Rich Dahlgren, Flickr Creative Commons.

Veery.
Credit: Art Drauglis, Flickr Creative Commons.

Pitcher plant.
Credit: Don Gardner, USFWS

Purple Finch.
Credit: Jamie Chavez, Flickr Creative Commons.

Milkweed pod.
Credit: Atlee Hart,
2010 Photo Contest.

Red-necked Grebe.
Credit: Teresa McGill.

Your National Wildlife Refuge System

Seney National Wildlife Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which was founded in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt designated Pelican Island in Florida as a sanctuary for Brown Pelicans.  The Refuge System is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is the world's premier system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants. Since its inception the System has grown to more than 150 million acres, 552 national wildlife refuges and other units of the Refuge System, plus 37 wetland management districts.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's largest collection of lands specifically managed for fish and wildlife.  Overall, it provides habitat for more than 5,000 species of birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.  As a result of international treaties for migratory bird conservation and other legislation, such as the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929, many refuges have been established to protect migratory waterfowl and their migratory flyways.

The overall goal of the refuge management is to ensure wildlife is the first priority. Ecosystems are managed with this in mind. Management tools include, but are not limited to, prescribed fire, timber harvesting, and removal of invasive species.  Wildlife-dependent recreational activities, namely hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education and interpretation are priority public uses on refuges.  These activities will be allowed when they do not interfere with our ability to fulfill the Refuge's purpose or the mission of the Refuge System. 

Seney NWR

Seney NWR is located in the east-central portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, half way between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, and encompasses 95,238 acres.  Located in northern Schoolcraft County, the Refuge is removed from major population centers; the three nearest major communities are each more than 80 miles away.The Seney Wilderness Area contains the Strangmoor Bog National Natural Landmark and comprising 25,150 acres, or 26 percent of the Refuge.

The wild land that today is Seney NWR has not always appeared so wild.  This is a land that was once heavily logged, burned, ditched, drained, and cultivated.  Despite repeated attempts, the soils and harsh conditions of this country would not provide a hospitable environment for sustained settlement and agriculture.  So, nature claimed it once again.  What was viewed as a loss by early 20th century entrepreneurs became a huge gain for the wildlife, natural resources, and the people of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The history and timeline of this area are explored further in other sections of this website.

Seney NWR was established in 1935 under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act for the protection and production of migratory birds and other wildlife.  While management for migratory birds is paramount, the Refuge provides habitat for a diversity of wildlife species, both migratory and non-migratory.  Approximately 22 species of reptiles and amphibians, 50 species of mammals, 26 species of fish, and over 200 species of birds have been documented on the Refuge. 

Nearly 80 miles away from the main section of the Refuge you can find the Whitefish Point Unit. This 33 acre unit is located next to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory managed by the Michigan Audubon Society.  The unit's primary natural features are gravel beaches, sandy beach dunes and stunted jack pine-dominated forest.

Whitefish Point is renowned for its concentrations of birds during migration.  Each year thousands of raptors, passerines and water birds funnel up the point to cross Lake Superior.  They are followed by hundreds of birders.  The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory was established by the Michigan Audubon Society in 1997 to document and study migratory birds and their habitats in the Great Lakes.  The data collected by the Audubon Society has lead to the area being recognized as a Globally Important Bird Area.

Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Seney NWR is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The Service is the primary federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing the nation's fish and wildlife populations and their habitats.  It oversees the enforcement of federal wildlife laws, management and protection of migratory bird populations, restoration of nationally significant fisheries, administration of the Endangered Species Act, and the restoration of wildlife habitat.  The Service also manages the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Other Links:

Endangered Species Program
Bird Conservation Timeline (PDF file size 1.12MB)

Gray Wolf.
Credit: B. Clayton, Flickr Creative Commons.

Buffleheads.
Credit: Kevin J. Woolley,
Flickr Creative Commons.

Mink.
Credit: Eric Begin, Flickr Creative Commons.

Blue flag iris.
Credit: Melissa Reece.

Garter Snake.
Credit: Patrick Coin, Flickr Creative Commons.

Northern Flicker.
Credit: Brendan Lally,
Flickr Creative Commons.

Blueberry flowers.
Credit: Sara Hollerich, USFWS

Common Merganser.
Credit: Jack Anapes, Flickr Creative Commons.

Cedar Waxwing.
Credit: Barbara Hysell,
2010 Photo Contest.

Common Nighthawk.
Credit: Brian Garrett,
Flickr Creative Commons.

Brown Thrasher.
Credit: Vicki DeLoach,
Flickr Creative Commons.

Grasshopper on a common milkweed.
Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.

Coyote.
Credit: Conrad Warren
2010 Photo Contest.