Alligator RiverBrochure |
Brochure of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in North Carolina. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Alligator River
National Wildlife Refuge
Introduction
Alligator River National Wildlife
Refuge, established in 1984 and
located on the mainland of eastern
North Carolina, contains
approximately 152,000 acres. The
refuge was established to protect and
manage unique forested wetland
communities and associated wildlife
species.
Background
Long ago, the area that now
comprises Alligator River National
Wildlife Refuge was considered by
most people to be a vast wasteland.
Visitors to the Outer Banks from the
west made special effort to complete
their journeys before dark, lest they
risk a vehicle breakdown in “noman’s land.” Frightening stories of
bears, snakes, and other creatures
coupled with the mile after
uninhabited mile on both Highways
64 and 264 made the casual traveler
cautious, if not suspicious, of being
stranded there.
Joe Folta
Alligator River
National Wildlife
Refuge has large
acreage of
pocosin habitat.
“Pocosin” is a
native American
word meaning
“swamp on a
hill.” These
wetlands are
characterized by
deep organic soils
resulting in peat
deposits that can
hold vast
quantities of
water. However,
when dry, these
pocosins are
highly susceptible
to wildfire, with
the possibility of
a subsurface fire
that can burn for
months.
USFWS
The National Wildlife
Refuge System is an
extensive network of
lands and waters
protected and managed
especially for wildlife
and its habitat. Refuges
stretch across the United
States from above the
Arctic Circle in Alaska
to the subtropical waters
of the Florida Keys and
beyond to the Caribbean
and South Pacific.
The National Wildlife
Refuge System is
administered by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service which protects
and manages over 500
refuges for wildlife and
for people to enjoy.
In the late 1970’s, biologists began to
realize that many wetland
communities were being destroyed at
an alarming rate, including the
USFWS
Steve Maslowski
USFWS
Odie Olsen
Throughout the coastal plain,
pocosins were drained and then
logged or farmed. Vast areas were
clear-cut for the old growth cypress
or Atlantic white cedar. The market
price on this lumber supported the
costly mechanics of retrieving it from
such an inaccessible habitat. At the
same time, “superfarms” were
springing up throughout the region.
Pocosins were going, going,....
Through the concerted efforts of
several private conservation
organizations and federal and state
land management agencies, a
campaign was launched to stop the
destruction of these pocosin habitats
before it was too late. Alligator River
National Wildlife Refuge was
established through a donation of
118,000 acres from Prudential Life
Insurance Company. It has reached
John and Karen Hollingsworth©
its current size through purchases
made with Congressional
appropriations. The refuge was set
aside to protect and manage the
area’s unique wetlands and the
wildlife species that use them. Also
targeted in the objectives for the new
refuge were endangered and
threatened species, waterfowl, black
bear, and both consumptive and nonconsumptive wildlife dependent
recreation.
pocosins that covered almost half of
this area. Before that time, no one
had made an effort to determine
exactly what role these wetlands
played in the overall scheme of
environmental complexities. A closer
look at these sponge-like wetlands
revealed a significant role indeed. In
fact, the functions of the pocosin
impacted the quality of the
environment in a big way—especially
relating to diversity of wildlife and
water quality.
A Place
for Wildlife
Many species of
wildlife call
Alligator River
National Wildlife
Refuge home.
The refuge bird
list suggests that
200 species of
birds spend at
least a portion of
their time here.
Many
neotropical
migrants, such
as prothonotary
warblers, prairie warblers,
Swainson’s warblers, worm-eating
warblers, and red-eyed vireos nest in
the thick pocosin vegetation. Wood
ducks, barred owls, and other cavity
nesters seek the old trees inevitably
left by loggers due to their
inaccessible locations. Endangered
and threatened species found on the
refuge include the American alligator,
American bald eagle, peregrine
falcon, red wolf, and the redcockaded woodpecker. The refuge is
also home to one of the largest
remaining concentrations of black
bear along the mid-Atlantic coast.
The role of management is significant
on this refuge. Before man began
altering the environment, nature
provided processes to recycle
nutrients and provide a network of
Red Wolf Program
The red wolf was in trouble long
before Alligator River National
Wildlife Refuge existed. Native to
the southeastern part of the United
States, the species had been
eradicated from all but a small
segment of its original range. By the
early 1970’s, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service had captured the few
remaining red wolves and declared
the species extinct in the wild.
Through captive breeding, red
Steve Maslowski
living spaces to meet the needs of a
variety of wildlife. Wildfires caused
by lightning provided diverse
habitats, which provided homes for
many species. Man’s biggest impact
on wetland habitats has been the long
term tendency to ditch and drain.
Changing the hydrology of the entire
system impacted every part of that
system. Peat soils were meant to hold
water. Besides the subtle impacts on
the species that were dependent on
the original water regime, draining
these peat soils caused a tremendous
fire hazard. Fires that burn in the
drained pocosins are very difficult to
control. Without raising the water
table for the entire area, firefighters
are helpless to control these fires
that can burn underground for miles
and for months.
USFWS
USFWS
wolves were maintained while a
suitable location was found to
reestablish them back into the wild.
For red wolves, Alligator River
National Wildlife Refuge offered
hope.
By 1986, a fiveyear experiment
to rebuild a selfsustaining red
wolf population in
the wild began on
the refuge.
During the
experiment, red
wolves proved
that they could
adapt to life in
the wild and that
they could find
food and avoid
people. That was
the necessary
combination for
success. Today,
red wolves roam
wild and free in
eastern North
Carolina.
Management
Activities
Hydrological
Restoration
A major refuge
objective is to
restore historical
water levels and
natural flooding
regimes that
have been altered
by past logging
and farming
operations. This
is being
accomplished by
plugging manmade drainage
ditches and
installing water
control
Moist Soil Management
A 5,100-acre agricultural area, a
former “superfarm”, was added to
the refuge several years after its
establishment. This farmland offered
a turn-key operation for waterfowl
management. Currently, the area is
divided into moist soil management
units, agricultural lands (farmed by
cooperative farmers), and semipermanent water. Approximately
1,800 acres of farmland are diked and
have water control structures.
Although management of these moist
soil units focuses on waterfowl,
numerous other wildlife species
benefit. The remaining 3,000 acres of
farmland are actively farmed
through our cooperative farming
program. Good water management is
critical to the success of both moist
soil management and farming.
Again, by providing diverse habitats,
the refuge provides for many wildlife
species.
USFWS
Tom Eagle
Bonnie Strawser
structures that allow the seasonal
manipulation of water levels, thus
mimicking historical natural
conditions. To enhance sheet flow
through wetlands, culverts are being
installed in key locations underneath
roads. These activities not only
restore valuable fish and wildlife
habitat and increase biodiversity, but
also reduce wildfire danger.
Wildlife Censuses, Inventories,
and Nesting Programs
A number of census programs are in
place to monitor various wildlife
populations ranging from American
alligators to neotropical migrants.
The black bear
population is
monitored through
track count surveys
and use of bait
station lines.
Monitoring
red-cockaded
woodpeckers on
refuge lands is
especially
challenging due to
the pond pine
pocosin habitat.
Wood duck boxes
have been erected
throughout
waterways of the
refuge to provide
nesting cavities.
Waterfowl Banding
The refuge bands wood ducks in the
late spring and early summer.
Depending on the focus species for
the Service or special research
projects, a number of waterfowl
species may be targeted for banding
during any given year.
Atlantic White Cedar Reforestation
To assess the status of white cedar
regeneration in clear-cuts and
natural stands, a research project has
recently been completed. Data from
this project will be used for
management decisions regarding this
habitat type. Another study began in
1998 to assess physical and ecological
functions of the white cedar forests.
The refuge inherited over 8,000 acres
of white cedar in various stages of
regeneration.
Brier Hall Rd
NATIONAL
WILDLIFE
REFUGE
Wood
Duck Rd
South Lake
Laurel Bay Lake
To Manteo
Deep
Bay
Road
Neighborhood Rd)
Dipper Rd
Pump
Rd Beaver
River
Rd
Rd Hickory ne Rd
Rd Wyn
N Perimeter Rd
re
Osp
Sawyer
Lake Butler Rd
Buffalo
City Rd
Milltail
Rd
Sandy
Sandy Ridge
Ridge Rd North Rd
Phantom
North Rd Pole Rd
Grassy
Patch Rd
Phantom
South Rd
Dry
Ridge
North
Rd
Sandy Ridge
Wildlife Trail
Milltail Rd
Milltail
Creek
Wildlife Trails
264
Blueberry
Rd
Koehring
Rd
Bobcat
Rd
Link
Rd
Long
Curve
Rd
Bay
Rd
Cub
Rd
Grouse
Rd
Bear
Rd
Borrow
Pit Rd
Cypress
Rd
Milltail Rd
Possum
Rd
Reuben
Rd
Elizabeth
City
Poplar
Creef Cut Rd
Sprigtail Rd
Gadwall
Twiford
Rd
Peterson Rd
Creef Rd
Milltail
Creek
Spencers
Creek
64
Rd
Hook Rd
Refuge
Boundary
Sign
Creef Cut
Wildlife Trail
Sawyer Lake Rd
y Rd
Laurel Bay Rd
New Causeway
under construction
UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY
PROHIBITED
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Mallard
SR 1102
Rd
(Lake
64
Manns Harbor
64
264
(foot traffic onlyhandicapped accessible)
Wildlife Drive
Handicapped Priority
Fishing Pier
Refuge Maintenance
Facility
Parking
U.S. Highway
Unpaved Road-improved
Unpaved Road
Private Land
Farming Area
Milltail Canoe/
Kayak Trails
1.5 miles (loop)
2.0 miles (one way)
4.0 miles (one way)
5.5 miles (one way)
Ridge Rd
12
158
17
37
Albe
marle
Sound
Al l i g a t or R i ver
264
National Wildlife Refuge
o S
ou
nd
Lake
Mattamuskeet
lic
Engelhard
N
0
Miles
0
Kilo
10
10
P
Alligator
River
National Wildlife Refuge
Stumpy
Point
am
94
So u n d
Alligator River
64
a t an
Frying
Pan Landing
C ro
64
tal
coas
Intra terway
Wa
Atlantic
Ocean
Manteo
Columbia
12
Bonnie Strawser
Special Studies
In cooperation
with universities,
special wildlife
or habitat
studies are
undertaken on
the refuge.
Examples of
these studies
include
monitoring and
evaluating the
resident black
bear population, evaluating the
effects of agricultural practices on
bobwhite quail populations, and
ecological studies. The refuge
encourages outside entities to
propose wildlife projects on refuge
lands. Selected projects must benefit
the refuge, as well as provide needed
information on wildlife populations or
habitats.
difficult in which to maneuver. Many
roadways are open to the public for
walking or driving. Caution should be
used on refuge roads, as they may be
impassable during wet weather.
Creef Cut Wildlife Trail and Fishing
Area is fully handicapped accessible.
This half-mile, paved trail leads to a
50-foot boardwalk with an
observation platform that overlooks
Creef Moist Soil Unit and a 250-foot
boardwalk over a freshwater marsh.
Look for waterfowl during the winter
months. You may also see black bear,
woodpeckers, and birds of prey. At
the beginning of the trail, behind the
interpretive kiosk, is a handicapped
accessible fishing dock. All are
welcome to fish here; however, the
dock is designated “handicapped
priority.” Fish are naturally
replenished from South Lake.
Fisheries Management
Little is known about fisheries
resources on the refuge; recreational
fishing is a popular activity. Fisheries
resource definition and development
of a fisheries management plan are
underway.
Alligator River National Wildlife
Refuge. . . a place for people, too!
Alligator River National Wildlife
Refuge is open to public use yearround. Though remote and
inaccessible, the refuge offers a
challenge to the adventurous outdoor
person. Birders, photographers, and
lovers-of-the-outdoors find the
refuge intriguing, but somewhat
Bonnie Strawser
USFWS
Bottomland Hardwood Restoration
Historically, bottomland hardwood
communities occupied much of the
mineral soils found on the refuge.
Habitat management actions will be
directed at restoring as much of this
valuable wildlife habitat as possible on
mineral soils, as opportunities arise.
Users of the Milltail Creek Canoe/
Kayak Trails indicate that perhaps
the best way to see the refuge is by
water. Canoes, kayaks, or small
motor boats may be launched from
the south end of Buffalo City Road.
Four trails, totaling 15 miles, have
color-coded markers to guide visitors
through remote waterways where a
variety of wildlife and habitat types
can be viewed.
Bonnie Strawser
Larry Ditto
Sandy Ridge Wildlife Trail is also a
fully handicapped accessible trail. It
offers a 2,300-foot boardwalk and an
overlook to view Milltail Creek. The
trail dead-ends one-half mile from its
beginning. It wanders through
Atlantic white cedar stands and by
beaver cuttings, wood duck boxes, and
prothonotary warbler nesting areas.
Keep your eyes peeled for rare sun
dews. During the winter months, you
might even hear the howl of a red wolf!
Hunting and
fishing are very
popular activities
on Alligator River
National Wildlife
Refuge. Hunting
is allowed on most
of the refuge
during State
seasons and in
accordance with
state regulations.
A permit is
required to hunt
on the refuge.
While white-tailed
deer is the main
species hunted, a
variety of small
game is also hunted, such as squirrels,
rabbits, quail, and mourning doves. A
current hunt brochure will provide the
necessary permit and up-to-date
information about the hunting program.
Fishing is also allowed on the refuge in
accordance with State regulations.
John and Karen Hollingsworth ©
Regulations
The refuge is open during daylight
hours only (from 1/2 hour before
sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
by persons engaged in public hunting
or by persons carrying unloaded
firearms that are either dismantled
or cased.
Camping, open fires, feeding or
baiting of wildlife, swimming in refuge
canals, or entering any area posted
with “Area Closed” signs is prohibited.
Carrying, using, or possessing cross
bows, bows and arrows, air guns,
spears, gigs, or other weapons is
prohibited. Some of these weapons
may be legal to use for hunting or
fishing (see current refuge hunting
permit and state regulations).
All domestic pets (dogs, cats, horses,
etc.) must be properly confined,
leashed (10-foot maximum), or haltered
and under owner control at all times.
Hunting and fishing are subject to
state and local regulations, seasons
and bag limits. A refuge permit is
required for hunting.
Littering or dumping of garbage,
refuse, sewage, debris or other
wastes or poisons in prohibited.
The speed limit on all refuge roads,
unless otherwise posted, is 35 miles
per hour. State traffic laws that
govern the use and operation of
vehicles apply on the refuge.
USFWS
Taking, possession, injuring,
disturbing, damaging, destroying, or
collecting any plant or animal (or
attempting these actions) is prohibited.
Destroying, defacing, damaging,
disturbing, or removing any private or
public property, including any natural
object or artifact is prohibited. The
use or possession of metal detectors
or similar devices is prohibited.
Disturbing, molesting, or interfering
with any person engaged in an
authorized activity is prohibited.
Entering or remaining on the refuge
when under the influence of alcohol or
a controlled substance is prohibited.
Begging or soliciting in any form or
conducting a commercial enterprise
on the refuge is prohibited.
Carrying, possessing, or discharging
firearms, fireworks or explosives is
prohibited. Firearms may be
possessed, used or transported only
Larry Ditto
The use of a spotlight, automotive
headlight, or other artificial light to
spot, observe, locate, or take any
animal on the refuge is prohibited.
Traveling outside of designated
routes of travel is prohibited.
Designated routes of travel are
shown on the refuge maps or as
posted with “Road Closed,” “No
Vehicle,” or “Foot Traffic Only” signs.
Operating any vehicle or boat that does
not bear valid license plates or
identification numbers and that is not
properly lighted, certified, registered, or
inspected according to state laws is
prohibited. ATV’s (3-wheelers, 4wheelers, dirt bikes, etc.) are prohibited.
Stopping or parking a vehicle (either
attended or unattended) on a road,
trail or firelane such that it blocks
the free movement of other vehicles
is prohibited.
In addition to these provisions, all
state laws, county codes, and Title 50
of the Code of Federal Regulations
apply on the refuge. If hou have any
questions about the legality of any
activity, please contact the refuge
manager at 252/473 1131.
You can help!
By obeying all refuge, state, and
local regulations.
By respecting this unique place.
Leave only footprints!
By sharing your conservation
ethic with your friends.
By volunteering your time to
help with refuge programs —
biological, public use, or
maintenance.
By joining the Coastal Wildlife
Refuge Society—the refuge’s
non-profit support group. Your
membership fees and donations
(100%) benefit refuge programs.
Bonnie Strawser
Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society
P.O. Box 1808
Manteo, NC 27954
coastal-wildlife@outer-banks.com
Note: an audio tour tape or CD is available for
purchase by contacting the Society or the refuge
prior to your visit, or from the Pea Island
National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on
Hatteras Island.
Alligator River
National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 1969
Manteo, NC 27954
252/473 1131
Email: alligatorriver@fws.gov
http://alligatorriver.fws.gov
http://northcarolina.fws.gov
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1 800/344 WILD
http://southeast.fws.gov
http://refuges.fws.gov
December 2002
Cover art: Janet Allen (Walker) Myrick.
Limited edition print available for sale
(50% of cost donated to Red Wolf Program).