Pixley National Wildlife Refuge

Pixley National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Sandhill Cranes
Map of the United States
Location	Tulare County, California, United States
Nearest city	Pixley, California
Coordinates	35°55′02″N 119°21′44″W
Area	6,939 acres (28.08 km2)
Established	1959
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Pixley National Wildlife Refuge

Pixley National Wildlife Refuge is located 35 miles (56 km) south of Tulare, California and 45 miles (72 km) north of Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley. The 6,939-acre (2,808 ha) nature refuge represents one of the few remaining examples of the grasslands, vernal pools, and playas that once bordered historic Tulare Lake, the largest lake west of the Great Lakes until the late 19th century.

Wildlife

Over 100 bird and 6 reptile species use the wildlife refuge. Approximately 300 acres (120 ha) of managed wetlands provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Threatened and endangered species include the San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Tipton kangaroo rat, and the vernal pool fairy shrimp.

Access

Refuge visitation is by special arrangement only.

References

• official Pixley National Wildlife Refuge website
• Pixley National Wildlife Refuge: Profile

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.