Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge is located in the most southwestern corner of the contiguous United States. It is part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It was established in 1980.^[1]

The Slough is one of southern California's largest remaining salt marshes without a road or railroad trestle running through it. This important salt marsh is surrounded by San Diego County and Tijuana, Mexico, with a population of 4.3 million people. Within this international bioregion, the refuge maintains essential habitats for many migrating shorebirds and waterfowl along the Pacific Flyway.^[2]

Tijuana Slough provides critical habitat for the Federally-listed endangered California least tern, Light-footed Clapper rail and Least Bell's Vireo, as well as the Salt marsh bird's-beak, an endangered plant species. Designated as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, over 370 species of birds have been sighted on the refuge.^[3]

The refuge's habitat and wildlife management programs focus on the recovery of endangered species through research, habitat restoration, and environmental education.

The Refuge is part of a larger unit called the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, which is administered by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The Tijuana Reserve is one of 22 National Estuarine Research Reserves created nationwide to enhance scientific and public understanding of estuaries, and thereby contribute to improved estuarine management.

See also

• Tijuana River Estuary

References

1. ^ NWR planning document
2. ^ Refuge website
3. ^ Refuge profile

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.