Refuge Programs

Wilderness Area
Managing Chase Lake NWR presents some unique challenges. All but 230 acres of the 4,385 acres are designated as wilderness area, which prevents the use of motorized vehicles and mandates the areas natural beauty and integrity be preserved.

Habitat Management
Prescribed fire and biological weed control are the only habitat management tools used on the Refuge. Leafy spurge flea beetles are used to control small leafy spurge infestations inside the wilderness area. Prescribed burning is used to manage the mixed-grass prairie and tame grass fields.

Pelican Banding Program
Banding juvenile pelicans started in 1928 and has continued intermittently to present. Between 1944-1968 young were banded each year. Approximately 2,500 pelicans have been banded each year since 1993. Pelicans are banded to learn more about migrating and wintering patterns. Most of the pelicans that nest at Chase Lake NWR winter along the gulf coast.

American White Pelican Surveys
Each year between May and June, Refuge personnel fly over the Refuge to estimate the number of pelicans nesting on the Refuge. Biologists use aerial photos to count the number of nests and to estimate the breeding population.

History of Pelican population at Chase Lake NWR

Year	Population
1908	50 pelicans using the Refuge
1917	175 adults and 140 nests
1932	2000 -3000 pelicans nesting on the Refuge
1945	45 adults and 25 young
1963	8,000 nesting adults
1972	See the American White Pelican Surveys for data since 1972.

Aerial photo of birds nesting on a shoreline - Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pelicans, cormorants, and gulls nesting at Chase Lake

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