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Patuxent
Research Refuge
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 Refuge Overview: The nation’s only wildlife refuge created to support wildlife research, Patuxent Research Refuge was established in 1936 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s executive order. Located just outside the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, M.D. metropolitan areas, Patuxent occupies 12,750 acres between the Patuxent and Little Patuxent Rivers. The refuge lands were formerly owned, in part, by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Defense, and Federal Duck Stamp Dollars have helped since then to acquire the land for the National Refuge System. Emily West/USFWS-FDSO |
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| Wildlife and
Habitat: Most of Patuxent Research Refuge is
forested habitat, as the refuge, in fact, protects one of the
largest forested areas in the mid-Atlantic region. Other habitat
types represented on the refuge include meadow, wetlands, and
seasonal ponds, all of which provide important habitat for migratory
waterfowl. Patuxent also supports a large bird population including
over 270 species. |
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Recreation Opportunities: Patuxent
offers visitors a variety of ways to experience wildlife. Observation
trails are open for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Fishing
is available in Cash Lake, Lake Allen, New Marsh, Cattail Pond,
Rieve’s Pond, Bailey Bridge Marsh and the Little Patuxent
River. The National Wildlife Visitors Center provides an arena
for students of all ages to learn more about wildlife through interactive
exhibits.
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Additional Resources
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