Wallkill RiverNational WildlifeRefuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceWallkill River National Wildlife Refuge1547 County Route 565Sussex, New Jersey 07461-4013973/702 72661 800/852 7899 TDD1 800/852/7897 voicewww.fws.gov/northeast/wallkillriver/

Federal Relay Servicefor the deaf and hard-of-hearing1 800/877 8339

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service1 800/344 WILDhttp://www.fws.gov

September 2012

Rose-breasted grosbeak©Scott A. Vincent

Ken Witkowski/ USFWS

The refuge is open from dawn to dusk.

Observe wildlife from a safe andrespectful distance. Binoculars,spotting scopes, and telephoto lensesallow you to view wildlife closelywithout disturbing them. Stay onmaintained trails.

Please do not feed wildlife. Feedingwildlife trains animals to beunnaturally dependent on and lessfrightened of humans, concentratesanimals in one area and may makethem more susceptible to disease.

Please take memories andphotographs. Do not gather or disturb any plants, flowers, insects, or wildlife.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceprotects archaeological sites fromdestruction during its own activities.It is against the law to damagearchaeological sites or removearchaeological artifacts such as oldbottles or arrowheads on the refuge.

Leashed dogs are allowed on theLiberty Loop Trail. To protect restingwildlife, pets are not otherwiseallowed on the refuge.

Camping, jogging, horseback riding,bicycling, all terrain vehicles, dirtbikes and snowmobiles, and overnightparking are prohibited.

Important InformationFor Visitors

Spring beauties in bottomland hardwood forest

At the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge,we conserve the biological diversity of theWallkill Valley by protecting and managing land,with a special emphasis on migratory birds,wintering raptors, and endangered species, whileproviding opportunities for scientific researchand compatible public use.

Overlooking the Wallkill ValleyKen Witkowski/USFWS

At the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge,we conserve the biological diversity of theWallkill Valley by protecting and managing land,with a special emphasis on migratory birds,wintering raptors, and endangered species, whileproviding opportunities for scientific researchand compatible public use.

Welcome to Wallkill River NationalWildlife Refuge (NWR). Congressestablished the refuge in 1990 “topreserve and enhance refuge landsand waters in a manner that willconserve the natural diversity offish, wildlife, plants, and theirhabitats for present and futuregenerations and to provideopportunities for compatiblescientific research, environmentaleducation, and fish and wildlife-oriented recreation.” Congress alsorequired the protection of aquatichabitats within the refuge, includingthe Wallkill River and PapakatingCreek.

Wallkill River NWR is administeredby the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceas part of the National WildlifeRefuge System, whose mission is “toadminister a national network oflands and waters for theconservation, management, andwhere appropriate, restoration of thefish, wildlife, and plant resources andtheir habitats within the UnitedStates for the benefit of present andfuture generations of Americans.”

Our Mission

The refuge is located along a ten-milestretch of the Wallkill River, and lies ina rolling valley within the AppalachianRidge and Valley physiographicprovince. The Wallkill Valley isbounded by the Kittatinny Ridge tothe west and the Hudson Highlands tothe east. This area is part of the GreatValley, which extends from Canada tothe southeastern United States.

As the ice sheets retreated from theWallkill Valley area, a glacial lakeformed. The region’s major wetlandsare former glacial lake bottoms, andthe lake’s organic muck soils supportextensive bottomland hardwoodforests, wet meadows, and farm fields.The valley is underlain by limestone,with outcroppings sometimesappearing as “islands” along the riverand in adjoining wetland complexes.

Occupation of the valley by NativeAmericans began as early as 10,000B.C. The Wallkill River was firstknown by the Lenape people as“Twischsawkin,” meaning “the landwhere plums abound.” The WallkillValley was an important source of flintand chert for Native Americans, whoused these stones for hunting andcutting tools.

Wallkill Riverin winter

VolunteersFran Stephenson/USFWS

Shaped by Natureand People

The Wallkill River begins in Sparta,New Jersey, flows north throughOrange and Ulster Counties in NewYork, and merges with the RondoutCreek to flow into the Hudson River.

This blue goose,designed by J.N.“Ding” Darling,has become thesymbol of theNational WildlifeRefuge System.

Julie Reid/USFWS

Great egret hunting catfish©Herb Houghton

Beginning in the 1600s, Europeansettlers followed the Wallkill Riversouth from settlements along theHudson River. It is thought the riverwas named for Holland’s Waal River.With the bottomlands along theWallkill River flooding extensively,the area became known as “TheDrowned Lands.” As early as 1775,people tried to drain the river forfarming. The effort did not succeeduntil 1835 when a large canal loweredthe river’s water table. Mill owners,however, sought to keep the landsflooded, beginning the battle knownas the “Muskrat and Beaver” wars.The disputes ended in the farmers’favor in 1872. The fertile WallkillValley continues to sustain a varietyof agriculture including fruits,vegetables and sod.

A Variety ofHabitats

Swamps and floodplain forests of redmaple, river birch, Americansycamore, green ash, buttonbush,silky dogwood, highbush blueberry,spicebush, skunk cabbage, marshmarigold, cardinal flower, andsensitive fern characterize much ofthe refuge.

A small Atlantic white cedar forestgrows on the refuge. The mixedhardwood forests of the higherelevations include sugar maple, whiteoak, shagbark hickory, floweringdogwood, witch hazel, mayapple, andcolumbine.

Grasslands and scrub-shrub habitatsare important refuge communities.The original native grasslands andextensive wetlands occurringalongside the river before it was

channelized are gone. Farmers haveplanted cool season grasses at theriver’s edge and in upland meadowsfor haying, and some native warmseason grasses have been restored inthese fields.

The third important habitat on therefuge is the river and its tributaries.The Papakating Creek, almost as bigas the Wallkill, forms a wide wetlandarea west of refuge headquarters.

The refuge also manages 335 acres offormer sod farm as waterfowlimpoundments. By controlling thewater levels in this area, the land cansupport large numbers of waterfowland shorebirds.

More than 250 species of birds occuron the refuge, including 26 species ofwaterfowl, 22 species of raptors and27 species of shorebirds. You mayalso find many species of marshbirds,wading birds, and songbirds. Achorus of red-winged blackbirds andthe spectacular courtship display ofthe American woodcock are some ofthe earliest harbingers of spring.

In summer, the indigo bunting,bobolink, scarlet tanager, Baltimoreoriole, grasshopper sparrow, fieldsparrow, cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler and other songbirdsbring color and melody to the refuge.Kestrels commonly nest on therefuge, and the barred owl’s “who-cooks-for-you” call is often heard.The fall migration brings waterfowl,shorebirds, and other songbirds thathad nested further north to therefuge. Raptors are plentiful duringfall migration as well, when sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper’s hawks, and

Indigo bunting

Impoundment©Herb Houghton

Eastern bluebirds

Bobolinks,Bog Turtles, Black Ducks, and More

The Wallkill River bottomland is oneof the few large areas of high qualitywaterfowl habitat remaining innorthwestern New Jersey. As a majorwatershed and wetland area, theWallkill River provides migratory andnesting habitat for Atlantic flywayblack duck populations as well aswood duck, mallard, green-wingedteal, common mergansers and Canada geese.

©Herb Houghton

©Herb Houghton

broad-winged hawks fill the sky onclear September days. Short-earedowls, northern harriers, and rough-legged hawks are found primarilyduring the winter.

The diverse mammal populationincludes bats, beaver, muskrat, riverotter, mink, red fox, gray fox, coyote,white-tailed deer, and black bear.While amphibian and reptilepopulations are generally decliningdue to habitat loss and degradation,the Wallkill River valley providessome of the best remaining habitatfor salamanders, frogs, turtles andsnakes in the northeast. Of specialsignificance on the refuge are thebog turtle (a federally threatenedspecies) and the Indiana bat (afederally endangered species), bothprotected by the EndangeredSpecies Act.

The refuge supports 66 speciesidentified in New Jersey asthreatened, endangered or of specialconcern, and 14 species listed in NewYork.

The Wallkill River provides anexcellent warmwater fishery forlargemouth bass, pickerel, perch,sunfish, and bullheads. Some of thestreams that enter the Wallkill Riverhave native brook trout populations.

Refuge management is focused onconserving, restoring, and enhancingthe natural diversity of fish, wildlife,plants, and their habitats along theWallkill River. Many of the historicwetland areas along the Wallkill Riverwere drained in the past. Managementactivities include restoring some areasto their natural wetland condition,creating “potholes” which hold springand fall floodwaters in areas where theoriginal hydrology cannot be restored,managing some areas as moist soilunits for waterfowl and wading birds,and controlling invasive plant speciesto improve habitat for wildlife.

Grassland and forest areas areimportant to raptors and songbirdsand will be maintained and enhancedfor nesting and migrating species.The refuge has an active grasslandrestoration and managementprogram. A special use programprovides opportunities for localfarmers to harvest hay in latesummer from the refuge.

Enjoying theRefuge

The National Wildlife Refuge SystemImprovement Act of 1997 designatedwildlife-dependent recreation as animportant part of refugemanagement. If compatible, refugesare to offer opportunities for wildlifeobservation and photography, huntingand fishing, and environmental

WildlifeManagement

Great blue heron rookeryKen Witkowski/USFWS

Birdwatching onthe TimberdoodleNature Trail

ManagementthroughcooperativefarmingKen Witkowski/USFWS

Short-eared owl

©Herb Houghton

Ken Witkowski/USFWS

education and interpretation. Therefuge provides many opportunitiesfor visitors to get closer to nature.

Refuge Office The refuge headquarters, typicallyopen 8:00 am to 4:30 pm weekdays, islocated in a renovated 150-year oldfarmhouse at 1547 County Route 565in Vernon Township, New Jersey.Public restrooms are located at theparking lot and are open daily.

WildlifeObservation

As of September 2012, there are fivenature trails on the refuge withothers currently in the planningstages. In winter, with proper snowconditions, cross country skiing andsnowshoeing are permitted on thesetrails.

The Wood Duck Nature Trail passesthrough wetlands and wet meadowsfor 1.6 miles on an abandonedrailroad bed, ending at the WallkillRiver. The first 0.6 mile is wheelchairaccessible. The trail includes awildlife photography blind, severalbenches, and interpretive signs thatdescribe wildlife and habitat.

The 2.5-mile Liberty Loop Trail wascreated on a former sod farm. Thetrail hosts the Appalachian Trail for1.5 miles. The trail loops around therefuge’s impoundments, providing anexcellent opportunity to observewaterfowl and shorebirds in thespring and fall and the short-earedowls in the winter.

The Dagmar Dale Nature Trailtravels from refuge headquartersdown to the Wallkill River andsurrounding fields. This trail, whichtraverses hilly terrain, providesexpansive views of the Wallkill Valleyand the Kittatiny Mountains, and isan excellent place to observe forestsongbirds, grassland birds andraptors.

Painted turtles

Viceroy

Red-tailed hawk©Scott A. Vincent

Ray Cramer

©Herb Houghton

The Timberdoodle Trail follows anold railbed, beginning at Bassett'sBridge Road and traveling south for2.3 miles. Timberdoodle is an oldfolklore name for the Americanwoodcock, which can be observedperforming its courtship displayalong the trail in early spring. Thisarea provides excellent songbirdnesting habitat for Americanredstart, northern waterthrush,wood thrush, veery, red-eyed vireo

diversity of habitats that make therefuge unique. Canoeing takes youthrough floodplain forests, wetmeadows and by tall rock cliffs.Water levels in the river fluctuateseasonally. During spring, the wetmeadows may be flooded, making theriver channel difficult to follow.Conversely, by mid summer, the rivermay not be passable due to low waterlevels. Autumn rains generally raisethe water level once again. Snags andfallen trees are not always removed,so be prepared to haul your canoeover beaver dams and downed trees.Please use caution when moving yourcanoe in or out of the river as steep,slippery banks and unstable slopesare common.

There are three access points to theWallkill River on the refuge. Refer tothe fold-out map for access locations.

Fishing access is provided atBassetts Bridge and Oil City Road.Fishing is also allowed anywherealong the river that can be reachedby boat. Please look for refugeboundary signs to ensure you are onrefuge land. While all anglers mustcomply with New Jersey or NewYork fishing license requirements, no special refuge fishing permit is required.

and numerous others.

The Winding Waters Trail follows anold farm road for 2.1 miles along theriver and through restored fields,beginning at the Canoe Launch at OilCity Road. The area providesexcellent stopover habitat for flocksof bobolink and waterfowl throughoutthe year, as well as hunting groundsfor raptors.

Photography is allowed in any areaopen to the general public. A specialuse permit is required for access toother refuge lands. There can be a feefor the permit. Contact the refugemanager for additional information.

One of the best ways to see theWallkill River refuge is by canoe orkayak. You will experience the great

Chestnut-sidedwarbler

Volunteer river guidesCheryl Bloomer

Fishing

Elizabeth Stevenson/USFWS

©Scott A. Vincent

WildlifePhotography

Canoeing/Kayaking

Fishing

The refuge is open for some huntingseasons. Hunting is a wildlifemanagement tool used to control someanimal populations and is also aCongressionally mandated prioritypublic use. Hunters must obtain arefuge permit for each hunting season,as well as all applicable state licensesand permits. Accommodations areavailable for handicapped hunters;inquire at the refuge office. Additionalhunting opportunities may be madeavailable in the future. A permanent,

Hunting

no-hunting area is located at theLiberty Loop Trail.

For information on lodging,restaurants and area events, contact:

Vernon Chamber of Commerce973/764 0764

Youth hunters

Waterfall, Dagmar-Dale TrailKen Witkowski/USFWS

Volunteering If you would like to volunteer, we canuse your help! Trail maintenancerequires a lot of time—volunteers aredeeply appreciated. Other volunteersdo construction work, publicprograms, or help us collect biologicaldata. The refuge also maintains 4 RVhookups for those interested involunteer Work-camping. Contactthe refuge office for moreinformation.

Sussex County Chamber ofCommerce 973/579 1811

Warwick Valley (NY)Chamber of Commerce 845/986 2720

New Jersey state parks and forestsprovide opportunities for camping.Contact the NJ Division of Parksand Forestry at 973/827 6200 or609/984 0370 or athttp://www.state.nj.us/dep.

Jim Holowienka

Where to Find Food and Lodging

Volunteer-led archery classKaryn Fontana

The staff at Wallkill River alsoadminister two other non-staffedrefuges. Shawangunk GrasslandsNWR (located in Ulster County, NY)is a prime destination for birdwatchers, providing exceptionalhabitat for grassland-dependentmigratory birds and winteringraptors. Cherry Valley NWR(located in Monroe County, PA)provides native forest, wetland, andgrassland habitats that supportmigratory birds and other trustspecies. For more information, visitthe refuge web sites at:http://fws.gov/northeast/shawangunkand http://www.fws.gov/cherryvalley.

Ferns© Scott A. Vincent

Visiting otherrefuges within ourcomplex

Shawangunk Grasslands NWR

Michele Talmadge/USFWS

Overlooking the Cherry Valley

Marilyn Kitchell/USFWS

©Herb Houghton

Checking purple martin apartments

Spotted skimmer

Ken Witkowski/USFWS

Northern harrier©Herb Houghton

©Herb Houghton

White-tailed deer

Wallkill River NWR is one of morethan 555 refuges in the NationalWildlife Refuge System administeredby the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.The National Wildlife Refuge Systemis a network of lands and watersmanaged specifically for theprotection of wildlife and wildlifehabitat and represents the mostcomprehensive wildlife managementprogram in the world. Units of thesystem stretch across the UnitedStates from northern Alaska to theFlorida Keys and include smallislands in the Caribbean and SouthPacific. There are now over 50 millionacres of marine monuments in thesystem as well. The character of therefuges is as diverse as the nationitself.

The Service also manages nationalfish hatcheries and provides federalleadership in habitat protection, fishand wildlife research, technicalassistance and the conservation andprotection of migratory birds, certainmarine mammals and threatened andendangered species.

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