Refuge Trails
The Missisquoi Refuge offers some excellent trails for walking, snowshoeing and cross-county skiing. Click map for a larger view. The Discovery Trail: 1 mile loop—45 minutes Starting at the Visitor Center, follow this trail past ponds, through fields and into the woods to the edge of Maquam Bog. Walk along oak islands and boardwalks for […]
Birding Missisquoi
The Missisquoi NWR was established in 1943 specifically to provide habitat for migratory birds. It’s location along Lake Champlain, along with the Maquam Bog has contributed to the Audubon Society’s naming the refuge as an Important Birding Area, as well as being designated a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention. More than 200 […]
Join the Friends!
Membership in Friends of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge allows you to help support public education about important wildlife and habitat issues of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, you receive: – A 10 percent discount on merchandise in the Refuge Office. – A chance to become a participant in Refuge activities and make a practical […]
Manager's Corner
What is a refuge anyway?
Missisquoi Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System which is a unique group of federal lands managed rather differently than other publicly owned natural areas. The fact that Refuges are generally small parcels compared to National Forests or National Parks may be one reason why they sometimes go unnoticed and misunderstood. Perhaps it is also that Refuges have more restrictions than other lands managed by other state or federal agencies. Certainly my uniform doesn’t...
Winter Birds of the Refuge: Rough-legged Hawk
If you have been bird watching in Vermont in the last month you may have been lucky enough to spot one of the area’s winter visitors: the rough-legged hawk (Buteo lagopus). This large bird of prey gets its common name from the fact that feathers cover its legs all the way to its toes. Although its feathered legs are good diagnostic characteristics, it is also identified by its large size (wing span of up to 4.5 feet), dark patches under each wing, a white patch at the base of the...
Meet the new refuge manager
The Friends of MNWR welcomes Ken Sturm as the new refuge manager! Ken comes to us from Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge (CVNWR) in West Virginia, though in many ways he says he feels as if he’s coming home. Ken studied wildlife fisheries and biology at UVM, and he even did his senior project at the Missisquoi refuge. After college he worked for three seasons for the Green Mountain Club, which maintains Vermont’s Long Trail, and for the Student Conservation Association. Through...
