Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Location	Ravalli County, Montana, USA
Nearest city	Missoula, MT
Coordinates	46°33′7″N 114°5′4″W
Area	2,800 acres (11 km2)
Established	1963
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Bitterroot River running through Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southwestern region of the U.S. state of Montana. Renamed after the late U.S. Senator Lee Metcalf from its original title in 1978, the refuge encompasses 2,800 acres (11 km²). The refuge was primarily established to protect habitat for migratory bird species, but fish and mammals are also equally protected. 238 species of birds have been documented, with over 100 building active nesting areas on the refuge.

The Refuge's Wildlife Viewing Area consists of 160 acres (0.65 km²) of ponds, sloughs, and river bottom woodland. It includes two nature trails (.9 mi. and .7 mi.), and a half-mile, paved, wheelchair-accessible trail from the parking lot to the picnic area. The viewing area is equipped with a wildlife viewing and fishing structure, outdoor restroom facilities, benches, and information kiosk.

One of the nature trails, the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Viewing Trail, was designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2005.

External links

• "Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2006-08-16. 
• "USGS Stevensville (MT) Topo Map Quad". TopoQuest. Retrieved 2008-06-29. 
• "Lee Metcalf Wildlife Viewing Trail". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2007-04-04.