Welcome!

In December 2008, the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved an acquisition boundary for the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, bringing into existence a national wildlife refuge that a strong coalition of community and conservation interests worked together for eight years to establish in Cherry Valley.

A celebration on October 25, 2010, will mark the purchase of the first parcel of land for the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Additional funds may also become available soon, and more than 120 property owners have expressed interest in selling property or easements to the Service.

PDF of Establishment Parcel for Cherry Valley NWR Credit: USFWS
PDF - 3.3 MB

These lands and waters of Cherry Valley have been widely recognized for their valuable natural resources, and include a diverse mosaic of wetland and upland habitats that support an unusually large number of federal trust species. Five federally listed threatened or endangered species occur or are likely to occur in this watershed. On the south side of the valley is the Kittatinny Ridge, a well-known migration flyway that concentrates up to 20,000 migrating raptors of 16 species every fall. Large blocks of unfragmented forest along the ridge also serve as valuable breeding areas for interior-forest birds.

The Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge will help ensure the continued protection and conservation of the unique natural resources in Cherry Valley.

What's New

Refuge Update

• Cherry Valley Refuge Established in Pennsylvania - article in November/December 2010 Refuge Update. (pdf)

News Releases

• November 10, 2010 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Releases Annual List of Candidates for Endangered Species Act
• October 18, 2010 - Service, Partners Dedicate America’s 553rd National Wildlife Refuge Pennsylvania’s Cherry Valley Refuge conserves critical wildlife area within 100 miles of major U.S. cities.

Podcast

• Cherry Valley - Podcast produced by USFWS. (MP3 5.1Mb - Duration 00:11:00) (Right click link and select "Save As" to download.)
  • Transcript (pdf -
    53KB)