![]() | Pocosin LakesFact Sheet |
Fact Sheet of Pocosin Lakes 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
Pocosin Lakes
National Wildlife Refuge
photo: USFWS
Refuge Facts
■ Established: 1990 (Pungo Unit
established as Pungo NWR 1963).
photo: USFWS
photo: USFWS
■
Mechanical/chemical control of
noxious plants.
Acres: 110,106.
■
■
Located in Hyde, Tyrrell, and
Washington Co. NC.
Reforestation of wetland
tree species.
■
Protection from wildfires.
■
Location: the refuge is located six
miles south of Columbia, NC off
Highway 94 on the east and 18
miles south of Plymouth, NC on
Highway 45 on the west.
■
Law enforcement.
■
Deer management with public
hunting.
■
Education/interpretation.
■
Partnerships.
■
Concentrations of ducks, geese,
tundra swans, raptors and
black bears.
Public Use Opportunities
■ Wildlife observation.
■
Observation tower.
■
Photography.
■
Re-introduction site of red wolf.
■
Hunting.
■
Open water 6,291 acres; riverine
swamp 25,427 acres; pocosin
wetlands 50,319; agriculture 1,200;
grass fields 25,828; pine hardwood
forest 1,486; other 3,123.
■
Fishing.
■
Visitor center and interpretive
boardwalk.
■
Organic soils.
Financial Impact of Refuge
■ 14-person staff.
■
34,000 visitors annually.
Refuge Objectives
■ Provide habitat for migratory
waterfowl and other birds.
photo: USFWS
Cooperative farming.
■
Natural History
■ Refuge lands were once the
southern extremity of the Great
Dismal Swamp.
Howard Phillips, Refuge Manager
Pocosin Lakes NWR
P.O. Box 329
205 South Ludington Drive
Columbia, NC 27925
Phone: 252/796 3004
Fax: 252/796 3010
E-mail: pocosinlakes@fws.gov
■
■
To protect and enhance a unique
type of wetlands (pocosin).
■
To protect and enhance habitat for
those species which are classified
as endangered, threatened or of
special concern.
■
Provide opportunities for wildlifeoriented interpretation, outdoor
recreation and environmental
education.
Management Tools
■ Water management for waterfowl.
■
Water management for pocosin
restoration.
Calendar of Events
May: International Migratory Bird
Day.
September-December: deer hunting.
October: National Wildlife
Refuge Week, Scuppernong River
Festival.
October-February: small game
hunting.
November: Wings Over Water.
November-February: waterfowl
observation.
December: Swan Days.
Questions & Answers
What is a Pocosin?
Pocosin is an Indian word meaning
“swamp on a hill.”
What is unique about pocosin?
The pocosin habitat is a fire tolerant
shrub/scrub complex with a pond pine
overstory growing on organic soils
with depths up to 12 feet.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
What is the aim of refuge
management?
The management is aimed at wetland
(pocosin) restoration, enhancement
and protection through hydrologic
and plant restoration. The Pungo Unit
is managed primarily for waterfowl.
What wildlife can be observed?
Seasonally large concentrations of
waterfowl, black bears, a variety
of birds, mammals, reptiles and
amphibians. The red wolf is elusive
and will probably not be seen.
Are any research projects occurring
on the refuge?
Research is being conducted on
wetland restoration and reforestation
of wetland tree species primarily
Atlantic white cedar, bald cypress and
pond pine and monitoring the wildlife
use on the research area. Waterfowl
banding is being conducted for
research on tundra swans and wood
ducks.
What are the hunting opportunities?
Excellent hunting for deer, very good
hunting for quail and rabbits, and
opportunities for raccoons, ducks,
opossums, woodcocks, squirrels, rails,
snipes and fox. No black bear hunting
on the refuge.