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Pixley
National Wildlife Refuge
35 miles south of Tulare in
Tulare County, CA   
E-mail: Dave_Hardt@fws.gov
Phone Number: 661-725-2767
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://www.fws.gov/kern/refuges/pixley/
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  Overview
Pixley National Wildlife Refuge
Pixley National Wildlife Refuge is located 35 miles south of Tulare, and 45 miles north of Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley, California. The 6,389-acre refuge represents one of the few remaining examples of the grasslands, vernal pools, and playas that once bordered historic Tulare Lake. Over 100 bird and 6 reptile species use the refuge. Approximately 300 acres of managed wetlands provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Threatened and endangered species include the San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Tipton kangaroo rat, and the vernal pool fairy shrimp.

Refuge visitation is by special arrangement only.


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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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     Recreation and Education Opportunities
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Managment Activities

The primary management focus of the refuge is to maintain and restore native habitats including wetlands and upland habitat. Three hundred acres of seasonal marsh is flooded in the winter and irrigated in the spring to provide habitat to migrating waterfowl and other water birds. The upland habitat is managed by cattle grazing to limit vegetative cover. It is believed that the endangered species of the area evolved in a more open environment before the introduction of exotic annual grasses which grow abundantly in the valley.