About Us

Located on and around Kentucky Lake in Northwest Tennessee, the refuge’s three units, Big Sandy, Duck River, and Busseltown, stretch for 65 miles along the Tennessee River. Established in 1945, as a conservation area for migratory birds, it provides a major wintering area for migrating waterfowl. Currently the refuge habitats include agricultural crops; vegetated wetlands, mudflats, shrub/scrub areas and forested lands. This rich diversity of habitats, harbor an abundance of wildlife.  Three quarters of the bird species found in this state are found on the refuge.  Our checklist includes 306 birds, 51 mammals, 89 reptiles and amphibians and 144 species of fish. 

Our Mission

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge was established by Executive Order 9670 by President Harry S. Truman on December 28, 1945.  The refuge was established  “... as a refuge and wildlife management area for migratory birds and other wildlife ...”, and “... for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds.”, as well as “... 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 ...”. 

Our History

In 1937, a flood occurred in the Tennessee and Ohio River Valleys causing widespread devastation to communities, farms, and families. The following year, in 1938, the newly formed Tennessee Valley Authority started construction on Kentucky Dam.  When the dam was completed in 1944, Kentucky Lake was born. The following year, in 1945, the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge was established by President Harry S. Truman on the newly flooded lands and areas adjacent to the river.