Updated July 25, 2024
ALERTS:
- RED FLAG WARNING: The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of the Sacramento Valley from 1pm July 25 through 11pm July 26. From the NWS: "A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior."
Visit NWS's forecast page for the Sacramento NWR for up-to-date info on the Red Flag Warning.
- AUTO TOUR CLOSURE: The Sacramento NWR Auto Tour Route will be closed to all visitors for roadwork and maintenance Monday July 28 through Thursday August 1. Thank you for your understanding while we complete this important work.
- WE ARE HIRING: GS-12 Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Fire Management Officer). Application window extended to Friday August 9. More info on our Get Involved page!
CDFW Soliciting Recommendations for Sacramento Valley Wildlife Areas and Federal Refuges:
- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations regarding hunting programs in the Northern Sacramento Valley from licensed hunters. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands, Avian Influenza, and hunting access opportunities.
- State lands to be discussed include the Gray Lodge and Upper Butte Basin wildlife areas including the Little Dry Creek, Howard Slough, and Llano Seco units. Federal refuge personnel will also be available to speak about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex including Delevan, Sacramento, Colusa, and Sutter NWRs.
- The meeting will be held using Microsoft Teams from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Please email Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at glwla@wildlife.ca.gov for a link and instructions on how to submit comments and questions.
- CDFW annually provides an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas through public meetings and outreach.
Public Review of Draft Environmental Assessment and Compatibility Determinations - Big Notch Project Special Use Permit
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to issue a short-term special use permit to the California Department of Water Resources to allow for increased flows on properties in the Yolo Bypass where the Service has conservation easements. These easements are part of the Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area. The increased flows are for the purpose of implementing the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project.
A draft environmental assessment (EA) and compatibility determinations (CDs) evaluating the proposed issuance of the permit are now available for public review (links below). The EA and CDs are available for public review through August 25, 2024. Comments may be submitted by email to: fw8plancomments@fws.gov. In the subject line of the email, please indicate “Big Notch Project Special Use Permit.”
- Draft Environmental Assessment
- Draft Compatibility Determination - North Area Properties (Attachment A)
- Draft Compatibility Determination - Central Area Properties (Attachment B)
- Draft Compatibility Determination - South Area Properties (Attachment C)
- Ducks Unlimited Report - Yolo Bypass USFWS Easements Impact Analysis from the Big Notch Project (Attachment D)
VISITOR CENTER IS OPEN
We are pleased to announce that our new Visitor Center is open Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00am-4:00pm (subject to change, closed on all Federal Holidays).
LIVE WEB-CAM
- What's the Weather Like?
- Are there Birds at the Refuge?
Check out the LIVE WEB-CAM at Sacramento NWR, brought to you by Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. Click on their link to find out how you can get involved! --> www.friendsofsnwr.org
FOUND AN INJURED/ABANDONED ANIMAL?
The refuge does NOT rescue, rehabilitate or accept injured or orphaned animals. If you need assistance, please contact a licensed care facility near you:
- Chico, CA vicinity: Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Sacramento, CA vicinity: Wildlife Care Association
- For a statewide list of care facilities, visit the CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife's Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities webpage.
Visit Us
Welcome to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge!
Sacramento National Wildlife is one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex: Sacramento NWR, Delevan NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR, Llano Seco Unit (STNCV WMA), Butte Sink WMA, Willow Creek-Lurline WMA.
There are LOTS of recreational opportunities across the Complex, including a Visitor Center, Auto Tours, trails, bicycling, photography, hunting and environmental education.
Click on VISIT US! to find all the information you need to plan your visit! Or use these quick links:
VISITOR CENTERAUTO TOURSTRAILSBICYCLINGPHOTOGRAPHYHUNTING-WATERFOWLHunting-RiverMAPS, DIRECTIONS + BROCHURESENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Location and Contact Information
About Us
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is located about 70 miles north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento and 7 miles south of the town of Willows in Glenn and Colusa Counties. The refuge consists of 10,819 acres of wetlands, grasslands and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian habitats.
Click on the link below to learn more about us!
What We Do
- Resource Management
To help plants and wildlife, Refuge staff uses a variety of habitat management techniques to maintain, recover or enhance plant and wildlife values. Refuge staff carefully consider any management techniques and employ them in varying degrees according to the situation.
- Conservation and Partnerships
The Complex is involved in many conservation endeavors, including Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Private Landowner Programs, and the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act.
Click on the link below to learn more about what we do!
Our Organization
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997:The NWRS Improvement Act defines a unifying mission for all refuges, including a process for determining compatible uses on refuges, and requiring that each refuge be managed according to a CCP. The NWRS Improvement Act expressly states that wildlife conservation is the priority of System lands and that the Secretary shall ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of refuge lands are maintained. Each refuge must be managed to fulfill the specific purposes for which the refuge was established and the System mission. The first priority of each refuge is to conserve, manage, and if needed, restore fish and wildlife populations and habitats according to its purpose.
Our Species
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is best known for migratory waterfowl. Waterfowl are present September through April and numbers regularly peak at over 500,000 ducks and 250,000 geese. Sacramento NWR is an important wintering grounds for Tule Greater White-fronted Geese. The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex provides nearly 70,000 acres of wetland, grassland, and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian habitats for a wide array of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, waterbirds, songbirds, reptiles, and mammals. The Complex currently supports nearly 300 species of birds.
Click on the link below to learn more about our Seasons of Wildlife, Wildlife Checklist, Wildlife Surveys, and Our Species....