| William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
  | |
| Location | Benton County, Oregon, United States |
| Nearest city | Corvallis, OR |
| Coordinates | 44°24′32″N123°19′18″W / 44.4090110°N 123.3217657°W /44.4090110; -123.3217657[1] |
| Area | 5,706 acres (2,309 ha)[2] |
| Established | 1964 |
| Named for | William L. Finley |
| Governing body | United States Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | William L. Finley NWR |
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William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is a natural area in theWillamette Valley inOregon, United States.[3][4] It was created to provide wintering habitat fordusky Canada geese. Unlike other Canada geese, dusky Canada geese have limited summer and winter ranges. They nest onAlaska'sCopper River Delta and winter almost exclusively in the Willamette Valley.Habitat loss, predation, and hunting have caused a decrease in population.
Located ten miles south ofCorvallis, Oregon, the refuge protects many of the historic habitats of the valley, including the largest remaining tract of native Willamette Valley wet prairie. Fields of wildlife food crops are interspersed with Oregon white oak savannah, meandering creeks with bottomlandOregon ash forest, old growthbigleaf maple, and native prairie.
Other management goals are to preserve native species and enhance biodiversity including the rare oak savannah, upland prairie, and wet prairie habitats. Endangered and threatened species such asOregon chub, andBradshaw's desert parsley find protection and sanctuary on the refuge. A herd ofRoosevelt elk can be found in the bottomland forests or farm fields on the refuge.
Under cooperative agreements, area farmers plant refuge fields to produce nutritious grasses preferred by geese. The geese also need water for resting and foraging habitat. Many refuge wetlands occur naturally; others are created by dikes and levees. Some refuge wetlands, drained or channelized by previous owners, are being restored in low-lying areas of the refuge to increase diversity and desirability of habitat for wildlife.
The majority of wetlands are being managed as moist soil units, to promote growth of wetland food plants (millet, smartweed, sedges, etc.) used as food by waterfowl and other wildlife. By resting in undisturbed areas on the refuges, wintering geese regain energy reserves required for migration and nesting. This sanctuary reduces depredation problems on neighboring private lands.
Of historic interest is the Fiechter House, completed in 1857, and thought to be the oldest house in Benton County. The refuge was named forWilliam L. Finley, an early conservationist who persuaded PresidentTheodore Roosevelt to set aside the firstNational Wildlife Refuge west of theMississippi River.
Two county roads passing through the refuge are open to the public throughout the year. Similar access is also provided at four viewpoints (kiosks and bulletin boards) and two trails (Woodpecker Loop and Mill Hill). To provide a quiet resting area, waterfowl habitat is closed to public entry while the geese are in residence, from November 1 through March 31. This winter waterfowl closure includes all portions of the refuge except the two trails, kiosks, bulletin boards, and headquarters building.
