U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge Introduction Reforestation Management Efforts St. Catherine Creek National The Lower Valley Wildlife Refuge was established in abounded with bottomland hardwood January 1990 to preserve, improve forests in the late 60's. The early 70's and create habitat for waterfowl. marked an era when the farm Intensive management programs on economy was at its peak, dense the refuge will provide excellent forests were cut and cleared to give winter habitat and resting areas for way to agricultural development and waterfowl in the Lower Mississippi to the high values of the soybean River Valley. market. Prime wildlife habitat and a valuable timber resource were lost. Outdoor enthusiasts will find the diverse habitat on the refuge ideal Current refuge management for fishing, hunting, photography, strategies aim to restore major hiking, and bird-watching. portions of the refuge with several hardwood species including oaks and Encompassing 24,125 acres, with a bald cypress that grew native before potential size of 34,256 acres, the man's intervention. Reforestation refuge is located in the western efforts will enhance wildlife diversity section of Adams County in as well as prevent loss of valuable soil southwest Mississippi, seven miles as a result of wind and backwater south of Natchez, Mississippi. The flooding from seasonal fluctuations of western boundary of the refuge is the . the Mississippi River with the eastern boundary following the Waterfowl One of the primary objectives of St. bluffs and the southern boundary, Habitat Catherine Creek National Wildlife the Homochitto River. Improvement Refuge is to enhance the potential of the refuge's wetland areas to support Habitat migrating and wintering waterfowl. Habitat within St. Catherine Creek Presently, the refuge floods via National Wildlife Refuge offers a backwater from St. Catherine Creek myriad of ecological niches for and the Mississippi River. However, wildlife. Cypress swamps and when the backwater recedes to hardwood forests teeming with oak, within the banks of the creek, many gum, elm, ash, and cottonwood acres of potential wetland habitat are comprise 30 percent of the refuge. no longer available. Ten percent of the acreage is open water, while the remaining area Refuge management efforts include consists of cleared land and land installing water created due to the meandering of the control Mississippi River. structures, culverts, and Rains and backwater flooding fill improving a depressions and basins in low areas levee/road system creating optimum wintering ground which will retain for waterfowl as well as unique backwater for habitat for other forms of wildlife. those periods Natural water bodies and a when areas may multitude of beaver ponds create otherwise become ideal habitat for summer nesting dry. Several of wood ducks. the low sites retaining water z e h c t a N o CONCORDIA PARISH T ADAMS COUNTY S t. C d ath a erine o Creek r d e Roa i v d dville R R oo o o i nw St. p i W L p e i g r s a e s h w i t o y s r L hwa s a ig i C e H tlin l

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Parking Areas York Road 61 Refuge Headquarters Boat Ramp e Swamp Th Pumping Station No vehicles beyond Refuge this point Buildings 0 1/2 1 2 Miles ‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡

‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡‡ The Shute ‡ ‡ ‡ Gilliard ‡ ‡ ‡ Lake are managed for production of moist soil vegetation such as smartweed, common millet, sprangletop and rushes while other areas of the refuge are cooperatively managed for agricultural crop production.

The farmers with cooperative agreements are required to leave a portion of the crop unharvested. The combination of natural and agricultural foods available helps accommodate the nutritional and energetic requirements of wintering waterfowl and other wildlife using the refuge. Management plans include lowering water levels in Refuge Regulations waterfowl impoundments in the Refuge headquarters: open 7:30 am. spring to provide feeding and resting to 4:00 pm., Monday - Friday. areas for shorebirds and other migrant species.

Enjoy the Refuge Refuge hours: sunrise to sunset The public is welcome to visit the refuge year round. There is something for everyone to enjoy: Hiking/nature trail available to fishing, hunting, nature observation, observe wildlife. and hiking. You are encouraged to stop at the refuge headquarters located on Pintail Road at the southern most area of the refuge off Littering is prohibited. of York Road. A nature trail is available near the headquarters where a variety of wildlife may be Firearms permitted only during observed. Public hunting is available refuge hunts. during the state seasons (permits required). Fishing is permitted from March 1st through September 15th. All vehicles are permitted on public For further information, please contact: roads and in designated parking areas. Refuge Manager St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 117 All-terrain vehicles are prohibited. Sibley, Mississippi 39165 601/442 6696 Camping and open fires are prohibited.

Pets are prohibited. St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 117 Sibley, MS 39165 601/442 6696 [email protected]

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD http://www.fws.gov/~r4eao