Total Solar Eclipse and Wildlife: More than a Dozen Wildlife Refuges in the Path

What does wildlife do in near total darkness when it comes during daytime hours? You can find out.

More than a dozen national wildlife refuges are in the “path of totality” during the August 21 total solar eclipse, the first in the United States since 1979. The blackout will last less than three minutes - and you can be part of the excitement… and the science.

The projected path of the August 21 event reaches from the Oregon Coast across the nation to the coast of South Carolina. A string of national wildlife refuges is in the prime viewing area.

The National Wildlife Refuge System, part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, protects natural habitat for America’s treasured wildlife species, helps clean our air and water and offers access to world-class recreation, such as fishing, hunting and nature watching.

Refuges in the direct path of the eclipse include:

Pacific Northwest (first U.S. viewing area)

• Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
• Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
• Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
• Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
• William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
• Camas National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho

Mountain-Prairie 

• National Elk Refuge, Wyoming
• Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska

Midwest

• Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri
• Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri
• Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Missouri
• Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois and Missouri
• Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois
• Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (PDF), Illinois

Southeast (last U.S. viewing area)

• Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, Kentucky
• Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, Tennessee
• Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina
• Santee National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina
• Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia and South Carolina
• Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina

The U.S. Department of the Interior offers good tips on how to catch the eclipse safely. Most importantly, avoid looking directly at the sun. The only time you can do that without risking permanent eye damage is when the face of the sun is totally obscured by the moon. Sunglasses or even eclipse-viewing glasses may not provide adequate protection. One of the safest, easiest ways to view an eclipse is by projecting its image onto a piece of white paper.

On the ground, thousands of photographers will have their tripods and long lenses ready, in hopes of capturing images of the rare event. The University of California at Berkeley and Google hope to stitch some of these citizen science photos through the Eclipse Megamovie Project that can inform scientists with a continuous dataset from coast-to-coast.

The Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Northwest, with six publicly accessible refuges in the total eclipse path and some of the best inland weather prospects, is bracing for crowds. The region has a blog about the event.

The Pacific Northwest refuges are working to welcome eclipse viewers - and share their excitement - while maintaining public safety.

• Each refuge will have designated public parking and viewing areas. The number of parking spots will vary by site or refuge complex. Please check with your local refuge for details.
• Parts of refuges may be closed to protect threatened or endangered plants or animals or because these areas may pose safety or fire hazards. Please respect these limits.
• Refuges are open from dawn to dusk. Overnight camping or parking is not permitted.
• Because the eclipse is occurring during the height of wildfire season, plans may need to change at short notice to protect public safety.

Oregon Coast refuges (Siletz Bay and Nestucca Bay) will cap eclipse visitor numbers at 200 to protect habitat for the fragile Oregon silverspot butterfly. Refuge staff, volunteers and partners have been restoring that habitat for years to prepare for the reintroduction of the federally threatened butterfly at Nestucca Bay Refuge.

Thinking of heading to National Elk Refuge or nearby Jackson, WY? So are lots of others. Be sure to have your accommodations arranged prior to arrival. Camping and overnight parking are not allowed on National Elk Refuge. Bring ample food and water in case local supplies run short or traffic congestion makes supply runs difficult. The primary planning site for visitors to the Jackson Hole area that week is http://tetoneclipse.com/.

In southern Illinois, Crab Orchard Refuge is anticipating spillover from Moonstock, a solar eclipse-themed, four-day music festival set to take place nearby. The refuge will waive entrance fees that day. Look for more information on the refuge website as the date approaches.

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, 30 miles northwest of St. Joseph, MO, will host a solar eclipse watch party. The event will feature information on nighttime wildlife as well as the eclipse. A limited number of viewing glasses will be available.

Some national wildlife refuges along the solar eclipse path offer camping. For public events and an eclipse 101, check out NASA online.