Our Mission
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established to serve a statutory purpose that targets the conservation of native species dependent on its lands and waters. All activities on those acres are reviewed for compatibility with this statutory purpose.
Sunkhaze Meadows NWR was established administratively in 1988 to ensure the ecological integrity of the Sunkhaze Meadows Unit peat bog and to conserve wetland, stream, and forest habitats, and associated wildlife. The Sunkhaze Meadows NWR also includes two smaller units, Benton and Sandy Stream, and four conservation easements scattered throughout central Maine.
Sunkhaze Meadows NWR was established under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Refuge Recreation Act. The purposes for which Sunkhaze Meadows NWR was established are:
• “...for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources...” 16 U.S.C. 742f(a)(4) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956).
• “...for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services.” 16 U.S.C. 742f(b)(1) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956).
• “...suitable for— (1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development, (2) the protection of natural resources, (3) the conservation of endangered species or threatened species...” 16 U.S.C. 460k-1 (Refuge Recreation Act of 1966, as amended).
Our History
In the early 1980s, the peat mining industry was exploring the potential to mine peat from Sunkhaze Meadows Unit for use as heating fuel, threatening the bog and the integrity of the wetland complex. The mining plans were not implemented and because of the heightened awareness of the ecological significance of the area, funding was secured for its permanent protection as a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge . Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established administratively in 1988 to ensure the ecological integrity of the Sunkhaze Meadows Unit peat bog and to conserve wetland, stream, and forest habitats, and associated wildlife.
The Sunkhaze Meadows NWR also includes two smaller units, Benton (334 acres) and Sandy Stream (58 acres), and four conservation easements scattered throughout central Maine. Sunkhaze Meadows NWR was established under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Refuge Recreation Act.
The purposes for which Sunkhaze Meadows NWR was established are:
• For the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources.
16 U.S.C. 742f(a)(4) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956)
• For the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services.
16 U.S.C. 742f(b)(1) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956)
• Suitable for (1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development, (2) the protection of natural resources, (3) the conservation of endangered species or threatened species.
16 U.S.C. 460k-1 (Refuge Recreation Act of 1966, as amended)
Other Facilities in this Complex
Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Northern Maine National Wildlife Refuge Complex, along with Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, and Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area.
