Photo provided by Judith Howcrowft
Wildlife Watching
Nulhegan Basin Division- Vermont
SILVIO O . CONTE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE REFUGE
FAVORITE
The Nulhegan Basin Division is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and is managed by the U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect a diverse assemblage of plants and animals . The Wildlife Refuge is in the remote corner of Vermont known as the Northeast Kingdom . The Division ’ s headquarters and visitor center are located on Route 105 in Brunswick ( about 10 miles east of Island Pond ). The visitor center and exhibits are open 365 days a year , from 8AM to 4:30PM , and are free and open to the public . Popular activities include fishing , hunting , mountain biking , snowmobiling , wildlife observation , photography and environmental education . Visitor opportunities include over 40 miles of gravel roads , 10 miles of hiking trails , scenic vistas as well as access to remote areas off trails . ATVs , camping and horseback riding are not permitted .
The Wildlife Refuge consists of more than 45 square miles of conifer and deciduous forest interspersed with forested wetlands , peatlands and shrub swamps , and contains three of the four tributaries of the Nulhegan River . These lands are nested within a working forest landscape exceeding 150,000 acres . Located just a few miles south of the Canadian border , the Wildlife Refuge ’ s vegetation most closely resembles that of the northern Appalachian Mountains , interspersed with elements of the boreal forest to the north . This Wildlife Refuge is known for abundant songbirds , particularly boreal species and warblers , and has been designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society .
Photo provided by Roger Irwin
Photo provided by Peter Gray Outdoors
Photo provided by Peter Gray Outdoors
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