History

The Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is an approximately 965-acre salt marsh and upland habitat located entirely within the boundaries of Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. The Refuge constitutes one of the few remaining natural, undeveloped coastal areas of Southern California. Although enclosed within a military installation, the base command recognized a need to protect the area from future encroachment. The Navy set aside the land as a Navy Preserve in 1964 prior to the creation of the Refuge. On August 30, 1972 President Richard Nixon signed Public Law 92-408, formally establishing the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and transferring it to the administrative jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Habitat

The Seal Beach wetlands provide an important habitat for many endangered bird species. The Refuge is managed specifically for the protection of two of them. The California Least Tern, which nests on a man-made island which was formally used for rocket testing during the Apollo space program. The Ridgway’s Rail, nests on special man-made rafts, which are constructed and maintained by Fish and Wildlife personnel with the help of many local volunteers. Other endangered and threatened species who call the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge home include the Federally threatened Eastern Pacific Green Sea Turtle and the State Endangered Belding’s Savannah Sparrow. The Refuge is also extremely important as a resting point for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and water birds to use on their way to and from such faraway places as South America and the Aleutian Islands. Thousands of Canada geese alone use the refuge area as a rest stop during their annual migration.

Salt Marsh Wetland

Additionally, the Refuge provides a very important link in the Earth’s food chain by supplying other creatures for the birds to feed upon. Bucking worldwide historical trends, the Refuge wetlands area has actually increased in size in recent years through restoration programs and mitigation measures.

The Friends

In 1996, the Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge was formed to help further the long-term conservation of the area. This non-profit organization is active in numerous restoration and education programs, as well as assisting in surveys and the monitoring of endangered species. The Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the Navy, operates a Nature Center and Refuge Headquarters Building at the Refuge. The Center, which opened in 1996, commands a sweeping view of the salt marsh and contains many educational materials.