Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

About Montezuma

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge was established on September 12, 1938 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge provides resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Montezuma is situated in the middle of one of the most active flight lanes in the Atlantic Flyway.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is located at the north end of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. The Refuge contains 2,860 hectares (7,068 acres) and is situated in Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties. The Refuge is 35 miles (56 km) west of Syracuse, 40 miles (64 km) north of Ithaca, and 45 miles (72 km) east of Rochester.

Announcements

Eco-Chat 2010, an informal discussion forum
Saturday, Feb 13, 1:30 - 3 pm, MNWR Visitor Center
Why Do We Fall in Love with Nature (and does that mean conservation is in trouble)?: Studies have shown that people fall in love with nature because of positive experiences in nature, and in turn will contribute either money or time to a nature-based cause. As personal experiences in nature are on the decline, especially for our children, does this mean that contributions to nature-based causes are on the decline? We will examine why each of us has fallen in love with nature and how that has affected our lives. Then we'll take a little time to learn about nature journaling. For more information on this new winter series, please visit our Events Page.

The Nature of Montezuma: Know Your Amphibians
Sunday, Feb 21, 2 pm, MNWR Visitor Center
World expert Dr. Kevin Zippel of Amphibian Ark will present Know Your Amphibians, an introduction to our local amphibians. The presentation will include: an overview of amphibians from around the world, photos of all 21 of our local amphibians with calls of frogs and toads, plus interesting natural history notes. Everybody gets a copy of a local field guide! For more information on this new series, please visit our Events page.

Climate Change
Find out more about climate change at this Fish and Wildlife website. This site will grow and evolve as we learn more about the impacts of climate change on the resources we protect.

Walking, Skiing and Snowshoeing at the Refuge
The Visitor Center (except for winter programs) and Wildlife Drive are closed for the winter and will re-open on April 1, weather permitting. You may, however, walk, ski or snowshoe along the Wildlife Drive while it is closed to vehicles. Also take some time to explore the walking trails in winter! Walkers, snowshoers, and skiers welcome!

Bird Count
The latest bird count is available here (Updated Dec. 12, 2009)

Main Pool Winter Drawdown
We have begun draining the Main Pool to continue work adding open water areas to the Main Pool's cattail marsh.

Montezuma Habitat Management Plan
More information on the Plan is available here.