Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

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Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)

Location:	Genesee County, New York, USA
Nearest city:	Batavia, New York
Coordinates:	43°7′0″N, 78°21′5″W
Area:	10,818 acres (43.78 km²)
Established:	May 19, 1958
Governing body:	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge and conservation area operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Genesee and Orleans Counties in the western part of New York. The refuge is between the cities of Buffalo and Rochester.

Although the refuge headquarters is listed as 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013, it is just northwest of the community of Alabama in the Town of Alabama. The refuge was created in 1958 as the Oak Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, but the name was soon changed to the current name because the State of New York maintains the similarly named Oak Orchard State Wildlife Management Area adjacent to the federal refuge. Both conservations areas provide stopping points for waterfowl and other migratory birds.

The refuge is composed of several large pools (separated by dikes), swamps, meadows, and woodlands. Parking areas, overlooks, and trails are in most locations, except for the few closed to visitors. Each year a large pool is drained to preserve the quality of the reserve. Some areas are closed to protect the introduction of bald eagles or to preserve other wildlife.

The wetlands are watered by Oak Orchard Creek.

Permitted activities, depending on the season, include, hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, and nature observation. Canoes may be used in one part of the refuge.

Prohibited activities include picnicking, camping, swimming, fires, and removal of wildlife.