Wildlife and Habitat Management
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Biological Resources
Seney National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for a wide variety of organisms and ecosystems. Over 200 species of birds, 26 species of fish, 45 species of mammals, and 420 plant species have been recorded on the Refuge. To maintain Refuge biodiversity management is directed at preserving, conserving, and restoring ecosystem patterns and processes.
Species Lists
Research and Management
Butterfly Count Results
Common Loon Update
Current Bird Research
Exotic Plant Species
Glossy Buckthorn Research and Management
Habitat Restoration
Herbarium
Ferns & Their Allies
Monocots & Dicots
Trumpeter Swan Report
History of Sharp-tailed Grouse at Seney NWR
Air Quality Monitoring
Click HERE to learn about air quality monitoring at Seney Refuge.
Important Bird Areas
Seney National Wildlife Refuge and its satellite Kirtland's Warbler Wildlife Management Area (WMA) have both been designated by the American Bird Conservancy as Important Bird Areas. To see a list of all 500 Important IBA's by state, visit the ABC website.
Wetlands
Water levels are controlled on over 6,400 acres of Refuge pools, with water levels manipulated so as to provide a variety of wetland conditions for plants and animals. By raising and lowering these water levels; a natural wetland cycle can be maintained. More information on water level management is available below
Fire
The fire history at Seney is largely responsible for the diversity of trees, shrubs, and plant life present. Lightning-caused fires naturally occurred during dry years and created the present mix of community types. Today, prescribed fire and natural fire use are used to maintain the Refuge's diversity.
Forests
Forest management is conducted on the Refuge to maintain habitat diversity and to restore some forest ecosystem structure and composition. In some areas harvests are combined with prescribed fires. Many areas of the Refuge are managed as reference stands, where cutting isn't permitted.
Banding
Each year, nestling bald eagles, ospreys, and common loons are banded before fledging as part of long term studies.
Internship/Volunteer OpportunitiesBetween May and October, internship and volunteer positions are available at the Refuge, in Biology, Forest Ecology and Management, and Visitor Services.
Water Level Management - from 1998 Biology Report
Water levels in Refuge pools were generally controlled as specified in the Annual Water Management Plan. High levels were maintained to protect nesting loons, swans, and geese; support prey populations of fish-eating birds; and suppress undesirable woody vegetation, especially that stressed by previous prescribed burning. Minor water level reductions in late summer on most pools were used to increase availability of submerged plants and invertebrates to waterfowl. Water levels in I-1 and C-3 Pools were kept as high as possible in spring to provide spawning habitat for northern pike in the upper ends of the pools. Water levels in C-1 and Lower Goose Pen Pools, kept low during the previous several years, were elevated to higher levels. A warm, early spring resulted in good prescribed burning conditions in mid-April. Therefore, planned spring drawdowns on E-1 and H-1 Pools were terminated early when the surrounding area was burned and these pools were immediately refilled to facilitate woody vegetation control in their upper reaches. Partial drawdown of C-3 and a greater drawdown of A-1 Pools in late summer/fall provided excellent conditions for staging sandhill cranes. The 1998 summer was one of the driest on record. Show Pools were drawn down during summer to facilitate installation of water gauges and could not be refilled because of the lack of water. G-1, A-2, C-2, M-2, T-2, and Marsh Creek Pools were also at lower than planned levels during late summer because of insufficient inflow.
