| Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 | |
  Location in Washington state | |
| Location | Spokane County,Washington |
| Nearest city | Cheney, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°25′26″N117°34′33″W / 47.42389°N 117.57583°W /47.42389; -117.57583 |
| Area | 18,684.98 acres (7,561.54 ha)[1] |
| Established | 1937 (1937) |
| Governing body | United States Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge |
TheTurnbull National Wildlife Refuge is located six miles (10 km) south ofCheney, Washington, on the eastern edge of theColumbia Basin inSpokane County in northeasternWashington. Turnbull NWR encompasses more than 23,000 acres (9,300 ha) of theChanneled Scablands. The ecosystem that predominates the refuge is unique within theNational Wildlife Refuge System and has characteristics that distinguish it from natural reserves worldwide. The combination of basalt outcrops, channeled canyons, and ponderosa pine forests infused in a diverse landscape of over 130marshes,wetlands, and lakes creates an environment of aesthetic beauty as well as high quality wildlife habitat.[2] The refuge is named for Cyrus Turnbull who lived on the site in the 1880s.[3]
The refuge is situated within theChanneled Scablands, an area formed 16,000 years ago byMissoula Floods during thelast ice age. The powerful forces of volcanism, glaciation, and the largest flood in geological history have combined to forge a distinct environment. Refuge ecosystems represent an ecological transition between the dry, sagebrush-dotted grasslands of theColumbia Basin up toward the timberedSelkirk andBitterroot mountain ranges that rise up to the east. The 3,036 acres (1,229 ha) of wetlands on Turnbull NWR represent some of the last quality breeding habitat available in eastern Washington for waterfowl, which have experienced tremendous population declines across North America due to loss and degradation of breeding, migration and wintering habitat. The powerful forces of the volcanism which formed theColumbia Plateau, glaciation, and a series of large floods combined to form an environment unique in many respects. The area provides a high quality wildlife habitat that combines scablands, basalt outcrops, channeled canyons,ponderosa pine forests, and meadows in a diverse landscape with over 130 marshes, wetlands and lakes.[2]
The refuge was established in 1937 by anExecutive Order of PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt to provide productive breeding and nesting grounds for migratory birds[3] and other wildlife. The ecosystem that predominates the refuge is unique within theNational Wildlife Refuge System and has characteristics that distinguish it from natural reserves worldwide. The 3,036 acres (12 km2) of wetlands on Turnbull NWR represent some of the last quality breeding habitat available in eastern Washington for waterfowl, which have experienced tremendous population declines across North America due to loss and degradation of breeding, migration and wintering habitat. The ecological transition between the dry, sagebrush dotted grasslands of the Columbia Basin up toward the timbered Selkirk and Bitterroot Mountains provides excellent wildlife habitat.[2]
TheColumbia Plateau Trail provides access to the refuge. ThePine Lake Loop Trail, designated aNational Recreation Trail in 2006, provides 1.25 miles (2.01 km) of wheelchair-accessible hiking along Winslow Pool and around Pine Lake.[4]
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| National | |
| Other | |
