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Valentine
National Wildlife Refuge		 Fall frosts turn prairie grasses various shades of orange, tan, and brown.
HC 37 Box 37
Valentine, NE   69201
E-mail: FortNiobrara@fws.gov
Phone Number: 402-376-3789
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://valentine.fws.gov		 At Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, prairie extends for miles in all directions, providing habitat for grassland birds.
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  Overview
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is 71,772 acres in size, most of which is open to hunting. It is located 20 miles south of Valentine, Nebraska. Numerous lakes, marshes, and grasslands provide habitat for many kinds of wildlife.

The Refuge offers many activities for visitors including excellent bird watching, hiking, fishing, and upland game, deer, and waterfowl hunting.


Getting There . . .
Valentine NWR is located about 20 miles south of Valentine, Nebraska, off of U.S. Highway 83. The Refuge headquarters is located off of Highway 83 along the 16B Spur. Directional signs are located along the route.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

Your full starting address AND town and state OR zip code


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NOTE: When using this feature, you will be leaving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service domain. We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing content.

These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

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Wildlife and Habitat
More than 260 species of birds have been recorded on the Refuge.

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History
The Refuge was established in 1935 to protect a portion of the Nebraska sandhills and its associated wildlife.

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    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Environmental Education
Fishing
Hunting
Interpretation
Photography
Wildlife Observation
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Managment Activities

Refuge grasslands and wetlands are managed for the benefit of the wide variety of wildlife found on the Refuge. Throughout the years, prairies and marshes evolved with both wildfires and grazing. Today, cattle and carefully controlled prescribed fire are used to imitate these historic influences.

As wetlands across the nation have been drained and converted to cropland, it has become increasingly important to manage and preserve those wetlands that remain. New ponds have been created on the Refuge for this purpose. Water levels on some of the ponds are regulated to best meet the needs of a variety of wildlife.