| Pixley National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
Map of theUnited States | |
| Location | Tulare County, California,United States |
| Nearest city | Pixley, California |
| Coordinates | 35°55′02″N119°21′44″W / 35.91717°N 119.36233°W /35.91717; -119.36233[1] |
| Area | 6,939 acres (28.08 km2) |
| Established | 1959 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Pixley National Wildlife Refuge |
Pixley National Wildlife Refuge is located 35 miles (56 km) south ofTulare, California and 45 miles (72 km) north ofBakersfield in theSan Joaquin Valley. The 6,939-acre (2,808 ha) nature refuge represents one of the few remaining examples of thegrasslands,vernal pools, andplayas that once bordered historicTulare Lake, the largest lake west of theGreat Lakes until the late 19th century.
Over 100 bird and 6 reptile species use thewildlife refuge. Approximately 300 acres (120 ha) of managedwetlands provide habitat for migratorywaterfowl andshorebirds.Threatened andendangered species include theSan Joaquin kit fox,blunt-nosed leopard lizard,Tipton kangaroo rat, and thevernal pool fairy shrimp.
Refuge visitation is by special arrangement only.
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service.