Over 200 species of bird visit the Refuge over the course of the year.  The concentrated diversity of habitats found on an estuary ensure visitation by large quantities of song birds, water fowl, raptors and shorebirds.

The numerous fresh water ponds and marshes of the Refuge produce a variety of emergent aquatic vegetation and are usually bordered by riparian areas.  These habitats attract all species of wildlife and are especially critical to the survival of many mammalian species.

The rainy climate and local wetlands make Nisqually NWR an ideal environment for a variety of reptiles and amphibians.

The Nisqually River hosts at least four species of salmonid.  These species depend on the mixed salinity water of the estuary as a transitional time before their journey upstream to reproduce.

Conservation of wildlife, fish and plant species that are endangered or threatened is a key goal of the National Wildlife Refuge System.  Many such species occur at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.  Our management practices take into account species listed by both State and Federal governments.

There is nothing more critical to the establishment of healthy animal communities than habitat.  At the Refuge, at least seven distinct natural habitats work together to create a richness of biodiversity rare even for the Pacific Northwest.