Pierce
North Bonneville, WA 98639
Plan Your Visit
Pierce National Wildlife Refuge is located in southwest Washington within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It encompasses 329 acres of wetlands and uplands along the north shore of the Columbia River immediately west of the town of North Bonneville. The Refuge offers larger species like Roosevelt Elk and black bear, and threatened and endangered species such as chum salmon and western pond turtles a place to thrive and recover.
As a small refuge with an important role to local wildlife, the refuge is not open to the public. Human disturbance is kept to a minimum to allow threatened and endangered species a place to thrive and recover.
Services
Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything we do from projects and research to the recreational activities offered. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species.
At the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex a variety of tools are used across the four refuges to ensure healthy habitats for native wildlife. These management tools include:
- Habitat restoration
- Cooperative farming
- Agriculture
- Invasive species management
- Prescribed fire
- Conservation easements
- Inventory and monitoring
- Water management
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex Vision
We are ambassadors of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We connect people with opportunities to actively engage with the conservation of our local wildlife and habitats. Together, we will move the biological needle with purpose and sound science. As leaders in our communities of practice, we are collaborative, dependable, and focus on the growth of the community and ourselves.
Management and Conservation
Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCPs) ensure that each refuge unit is managed to fulfill the purpose(s) for which it was established. The development of a CCP is a citizen-centered process. Developing long-term plans relies on public participation and input. Local communities, volunteers and Friends of refuges, state conservation agencies, and partners help guide refuge management through the development of each CCP. CCPs also provide an opportunity to improve and increase recreation critical to connecting people with nature.
About
Pierce National Wildlife Refuge, located in southwest Washington within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, was established in 1983 to provide habitat for waterfowl, particularly Canada geese. It encompasses 329 acres of wetlands and uplands along the north shore of the Columbia River immediately west of the town of North Bonneville. The habitats of the Refuge include wetlands, grasslands, forests and streams. Staff and partners strive to study, restore and monitor these habitats and species to ensure their long term success. In keeping with this research and monitoring emphasis, human disturbance is kept to a minimum.
Our Mission
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Pierce National Wildlife Refuge Vision
The Refuge is managed for the conservation and enhancement of native plants and wildlife and their habitats, with endangered and threatened species receiving management priority. The Service will encourage and facilitate research and monitoring of special status species. As one of the few remaining spawning sites for chum salmon in the Columbia River corridor, the Refuge will play a critical role in recovery of the species. The Refuge will work with partners and neighbors to protect and enhance the natural resources of the Refuge and adjacent lands and waters. Opportunities for compatible, wildlife-dependent education and interpretation will be provided in a safe manner.