The Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District recently donated 710 acres, valued at over $1 million, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge near Omaha, Nebraska. A large portion of this acreage includes Nathans Lake. In addition, two tracts were acquired along the auto tour route. This donation brings the total acres of the Refuge to over 4,000 acres.
"This donation is significant in both size and scope to the natural function of this part of the Missouri River floodplain. Nathans Lake is one of only two major historic wetland complexes remaining in the Boyer Chute floodplain and represents a critical component of the biological and hydrological function of the floodplain." said Bryan Schultz, Manager of Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge. "It provides the full spectrum of year-round needs to a wide diversity of wetland-dependant plants and animals."
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mso-pagination"The restoration and conservation of this important habitat would not have been possible without the continued support and cooperation of the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District," adds Mitch King, Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Mountain-Prairie Region. "We are very fortunate to have the District as a partner in our conservation efforts."
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Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, named a Nebraska Important Bird Area in 2005, provides floodplain habitat for more than 240 species of migratory birds. The Refuge offers a variety of opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation including: almost 8 miles of hiking trails, accessible fishing piers, controlled hunting, wildlife observation, environmental education, interpretation, and photography. The Meadowlark trail was recently designated a National Recreational Trail.
- FWS -
For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov
Visit Mountain Prairie website at: http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov
