About Us

white geese flying in air with rainbow in background
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Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 with funds from Emergency Conservation Fund Act of 1933 to provide refuge and breeding habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, provide habitat and manage for endangered, threatened, or sensitive species, and alleviate crop depredation. Historically, the area of the refuge was known as the Colusa Plains which was a vacant, windswept plain with short grasses, shrubs and forbs. In January 1937, the federal government purchased 10,775-acre Spalding Ranch and christened it the Sacramento Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. From 1937-1942 the Civilian Conservation Corp's (CCC) "Camp Sacramento" housed up to 200 men at the current headquarters area. The men constructed levees, water control structures, and delivery ditches to create and sustain wetlands across the majority of the refuge. Mosquito bitten, sunburned, dust-choked men worked non-stop even on 100-degree days to create the refuge.

Today, the refuge is known as the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and it functions as the headquarters for the entire Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The refuge supports over 250 species of birds. Most notable are the huge wintering concentrations (November - January) with regular peaks of over 500,000 ducks and 250,000 geese. Raptor numbers swell as the waterfowl numbers increase, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Waterfowl viewing is good between October and March. In addition, shorebird numbers peak in the spring and fall, while some waterfowl and numerous migratory songbird species nest here during the summer. Many birds and mammals provide year-round viewing.

Our Mission

blue goose logo for national wildlife refuge system
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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.

Other Facilities in this Complex

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, with headquarters at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge Complex is comprised of 5 National Wildlife Refuges (Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter and Sacramento River NWRs) and 3 Wildlife Management Areas (Willow Creek-Lurline, Butte Sink and Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMAs).

Large flock of Ross's and snow geese in flight against a blue sky
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Sacramento NWR offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, hunting and so much more. The Visitor Center for the Complex is located at Sacramento NWR, where you can find...
National Wildlife Refuge
Willows,CA
six pintails in a courtship flight
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Delevan NWR is mostly closed to the public, but does offer hunting and limited photography.
National Wildlife Refuge
Willows,CA
flock of dunlin and dowitchers in flight above wetland surface
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Colusa NWR offers many visitor activities: drive the auto tour, take photos, watch wildlife, go for a hike, or take part in a waterfowl hunt.
National Wildlife Refuge
Willows,CA
white-fronted geese standing in pond with reeds in background
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Sutter NWR is located about 50 miles north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento, and offers limited wildlife viewing, hunting, and seasonal trails.
National Wildlife Refuge
Sutter,CA
black tailed deer in grass with white geese flying in background
Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
SACRAMENTO RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Sacramento River NWR is made up of 30 different units that lie between Red Bluff and Princeton. Twenty-four of the units are partially or entirely open to the public, providing a variety of hiking...
National Wildlife Refuge
Willows,CA
eight sandhill cranes stand in a shallow wetland with grasses in the background
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Steve Thompson NCV WMA consists primarily of conservation easements on privately-owned wetlands, but also includes one 1,732-acre, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-owned property known as the Llano...
National Wildlife Refuge
Willows,CA
ducks and geese flying in air and in water. mountains in background
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Butte Sink WMA does not have any lands open to the public. Most of the Butte Sink WMA consists of privately-owned properties under conservation easement. One property, known as the Butte Sink Unit, is owned by the U.S....
National Wildlife Refuge
Willows,CA
ducks and geese mostly in water with 9 flying. trees in background
Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area
Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Willow Creek-Lurline WMA consists solely of privately-owned properties under conservation easement, and therefore has no public access.
National Wildlife Refuge
Willows,CA