ABOUT THE REFUGE

The Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 50,000 acres on and around Kentucky Lake in northwest Tennessee. The refuge's three units, Big Sandy, Duck River, and Busseltown, stretch for 65 miles along the Tennessee River. Established in 1945, the refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an important resting and feeding area for wintering waterfowl, as well as, many migratory birds and resident wildlife.

The primary management objective on the refuge is to provide habitat and protection for wintering migratory waterfowl. The strategies to accomplish this include producing food through agriculture and moist soil management, preserving cover habitat, and providing areas free from human disturbance.

The diversity of habitats found on the refuge provide ample feeding, nesting, and resting areas for 301 bird species, 51 different mammals, 89 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 144 species of fish.

In addition to being a home to wildlife, the refuge offers many recreational opportunities, such as: hunting, fishing, boating, canoeing, wildlife viewing, and photography. Public use areas are open during daylight hours, except as modified by seasonal refuge regulations.

The Friend's Mission: Friends of Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the primary purposes for which the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge was established and promoting the preservation of the natural and historical resources of the Refuge, foster its use and enjoyment by the public consistent with the protection and preservation of its environment, and engage in such educational, scientific and civic activities as will assist the management of the Refuge in carrying out its mandates.

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
Friends Board:

President - Connie McSwain
Secretary - Vickie Miller
Treasurer - Joyce North

Members:

John Taylor
Carlton Gerrell
Kim Miller
Richard Graves
Ski Witzofsky
Joe Casey