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Located in south western Washington, the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer was established in 1972 specifically to protect and manage the endangered Columbian white-tailed deer.

The Refuge contains over 6,000 acres of pastures, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, marshes and sloughs along the Columbia River in both Washington and Oregon. The mainland refuge unit, the Hunting Islands and Price Island are in Washington. Tenasillahe Island, Crims Island, Wallace Island and several small parcels around Westport are in Oregon.

The valuable habitat the Refuge preserves for the deer also benefits a large variety of wintering birds, a small herd of Roosevelt elk, river otter, various reptiles and amphibians including painted turtles and red-legged frogs, and several pairs of nesting bald eagles and ospreys.

Vision Statement

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian Whitetailed Deer is a stronghold for the conservation of this once nearly extinct species. Columbian whitetailed deer and other wildlife thrive here in a mosaic of meadows, wetlands, and riparian forests characteristic of the lower Columbia River watershed. Natural processes and management activities support a broad range of native plants and wildlife from Sitka spruce swamps to wild salmon. The Refuge staff works closely with a variety of partners, both on and off the Refuge, to accomplish Refuge purposes.