I u.s. Fish & witdtife service

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ry,.i Welcome to Fort National Wildlife Niobrara National Refuge (NWR) is 19,131 acres in East meets taest, Wildlife Refuge size and is located in norbh-central along the scenic Niobrara so'I,,\th... River. The Refuge, once a frontier north meets military fort, supports an exceptional diversity of plants and wildlife sim dtfferent plant representative of the northern This blue goose, Great Plains and geographic regions communities designed by J.I,I. east, west, north, and south of here. "Ding" Darling, is tlre symbol Fort Niobrara NWR is one of over erge ulo the of the National 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Wildli,fe Refuge Refuge System a network of lands ll,o Sgstem. set aside and managed- by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife. The Refuge System is a living heritage, conserving wildlife and habitat for people today and generations to come.

A History ol The land and water of Fort Niobrara the Landscape NWR have sustained a rich diversity i of wildlife for thousands of years. Fossils from more than%D extinct mammal species, including the long-jawed mastodon, giant bison, and three-toed horse, have been unearthed on the Refuge. These animals roamed the area from 13 million years ago through the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago.

T\aro centuries ago, the Refuge and surrounding area was a sea of grass, unbroken except for wooded streams and rivers. Low rainfall, sandy soil, periodic flres, and high winds limited the establishment of trees and the growth of some grasses. Magnificent herds of bison and elk inhabited the I area along sharp-tailed grouse, with prairie chickens, prairie dogs, wolves, mountain lions, grizzly bears, and other wildlife. Native Americans followed the bison herds, using them to meet their food, clothing, shelter, and spiritual needs.

Scenic Iandscape along the Niobrara Biver USFWS As the nation's frontier moved A Diversity Fort Niobrara NWR has a unique westward in the late 1800s, market of Plants blend of topography, soils, and rock and habitat loss caused and Wildlife formations, along with differing once-plentifi.rl wildlife to decline exposures to sun, wind, dramatically. Bison nearly became and moisture. This extinct. Native Americans were mixture creates a wide moved onto reservations. Fort variety of habitats that Niobmra Military Reservation was support an incredible established in 1879 to keep peace diversity of plants and between the settlers and the Sioux wildlife. The Niobrara Indians and to control cattle rustlers River flows eastward and horse thieves. The army closed across the Refuge for the fort in 1906 but used it to supply 9 miles, cutting deep fresh horses for the calvary until 1911. canyons into the sandstone rocks that Refuge In the early 1900s, President Theodore underlie the Sandhills. Estahlishment Roosevelt and private conservation Waterfalls occur where organizations, such as the National seeps and springs flow Audubon Society and American over layers of hard rock. Bison Society, were becoming increasingly concerned with the Pla,nts Six major plant communities exploitation of wildlife and their conYerge along the habitats on the Great Plains and and are situated according to their elsewhere. As a result, an Executive habitat needs and tolerances. Sandhill Order was signed on January 11, prairie grows atop sand dunes south 1912, establishing Fort Niobrara of the river, and mixed-grass prairie as a "preserve and breeding ground is found on hard tablelands to the Male slzatry- for native birds." Later that year, north. Rocky Mountain coniferous tuiled, grouse the Refuge's purpose was expanded forest occurs on dr;r, rocky soils and d;isplaying on to include the conservation of bison steep eroding cliffs. Plants from the their breed;ing and elk herds representative ofthose eastern deciduous forest, northern that once roamed the Great Plains. boreal forest, and tallgrass prairie groundintlrc Seaenty-six rruiles plant communities inhabit water-rich spring. of the Niobrara areas such as the river floodplain and Riaer, including canyon walls. tlze portion that flows through th,e Refuge, are includ,ed, in the National WiLd and Scenic Systenz Riuers o (aboue); nectar- B rich blossoms of tlre Rocky o Moun,ta'in o L beeplant attract butterflies, bees, € and otherinsects. ho (rigllt). o Ft. Niohrara ^4. Natiorml Wildl;ife Refug a il m 0 miles 2 fisfugsBoundary il Public Road km

"""'- Wildlife Drive .---.Trails ,, W intei,,,i,: r,,,,,,, ti #Il Headouafters .. BiSOn ::t:ttt:tt ttl UD and Visitor Center Wilderness 0verlook

Fort Niobrara Launch Area (Recreation Fee Station)

Fort Niobrara Wlderness

Cornell Dam Hav I- Shed -L Niobrara Summer Bison Bange <- to valentine Prairie oog Town

Equal oypartunity tn partiripatn in und \ benefitfrorn progro,m"s and, artiuiti.es of th,e U.S. Fish and Wildl;ife Senire is auuilnbl,e to (, allindiai.dnaals regardless of phgsical m mpntal ability. Dinl Tll for afree connnctiDntn th,e Statnrelay seraicefor TTY and,aoine callsto and from thn speech and haaring impaired,. Far mnre informnti.an cr to add,re s s ance ssibility needs, plnase confnnt th,e Refuge staff at $02 I 376 3789, w the U.S. Departmcnt of tlw Interim, Offi,ce of Erynl Oppartunity, 18/tg C Street, NW, Woshingtu/n, D.C. 209.00. Bircls Over 230 species ofbirds are attracted For example, the bison breeding to Fort Niobrara NWR for resting, season, or rut, takes place on Fort feeding, or nesting. The rich bird life Niobrara NWR in July and August. results from the diverse Adult bison males, aloof habitats found here. Also, most of the year, drift because the Refuge is among the cow-calf near the geographic center glroups. The bulls bellow of North America, it is hoarsely, paw the earth, crossed in many directions and chase and fight each by migrating birds. Many other. Weighing around songbird species, such as o 2,000 pounds, bulls the golden-winged I between 7 and 12 years d warbler, stop on the H of age usually dominate o € F Refuge during their the courtship and breeding d h migration between o ritual. Calves are born the ho wintering and breeding o following spring. 6) grounds. Others, such as wood ducks and grasshopper Otlr,er Wildlife In addition to the wildlife already spalTows, come here to breed. mentioned, 48 other mammal species, Sharp-tailed grouse and greater 24rcptile and amphibian species, and prairie chickens are year-round several fish species are found on the residents of Forb Niobrara NWR Refuge in the complex mix of wet that depend upon the taller, denser and dry habitats. native grasses for nesting and winter roosting cover, and the seeds, leaves, Refuge Management of Fort Niobrara NWR fuuits, and insects for food. Management focuses on conserving native birds, bison, elk, and the biological diversity Bison and Elk Approximately 350 bison and 70 elk ofthe area. Prescribed fire and planned are managed on Fort Niobrara NWR periods of rest, or non-disturbance, to conserve herds representative of are used in combination with grazing those that once roamed the Great Th,e rolling by bison and elk in an efforb to mimic Plains. Many of the natural behaviors "WLtppulip" the historic processes that helped and traits of these hardy animals call of th,e uplnnd shape the native plant communities exist today on the Refuge. sund,piper can of the Refuge. be lteard d,u,ring the summer (top Bison are an ideal management lefr,); "Wapiti" "tool" because they range over large is a Shawnee areas, eat and trample a variety of Ind,i,anword prairie plants, and turn the soil with meaning "wh'ite their wallowing. This disturbance BI deer" tn reference helps keep native prairie communities bol to tlte bleached diverse and healthy. Refuge lands, =lol spring coat of however, can only support a certain elk (bottomleft); number of bison. To keep the bison d these bi,son calues herd in balance with its food supply H € may li.ue 20 years and meet the habitat requirements o or n'Lore on the of other wildlife, many bison are sold (top @ Refuge nght). at public auction or donated each fall. Enloying Your Fort Niobrara NWR is a great place Refuge To protect the wildlife, habitats, and Visit to see, appreciate, and learn about Regulations historic resources of Fort Niobrara wildlife and their habitats. The Refuge NWR and to make yorrr visit more offers many opportunities for wildlife- enjoyable, the following regulations dependent recreation, but please are strictly enforced: remember that the needs of wildlife I The Refuge is open to the public come first. Some of the activities in during daylight hours only. which you can take part or the places r Licensed vehicles are allowed to you can visit include the following. travel designated, graveled

E roadways. informative E r River floating on the Refuge is Headquarters A visitor center, with r,l andVisitor displays and exhibits, a bookstore, d allowed downstream from Cornell - five float Center and staffto answer your questions, Fl Dam only. No more than is open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm daily from o tubes carrying a maximum of eight Memorial Day through Labor Day, Butrowing people may be tied together. and Monday through Friday during owl (left); r Fishing is allowed on the the rest ofthe year, except on black-tailed, MinnechaduzaCreek and along the Federal holidays. prairie d,og Niobrara River downstream from (aboue). Cornell Dam. Collecting baitfish, Auto Tou,r Route, ASYz-mile, self-guided auto tour route frogs, and turtles in not allowed. Obsemation Deck, starts near the visitor center and I Prohibited items and activities and I'{ature Thail provides the opporbunity to view bison, include alcoholic beverages; high elk, prairie dogs, and other natural volume radios; any device capable and historic points of interest. At stop of shooting or directing a projectile number 13, an accessible observation or liquid at another person or deck overlooks the scenic Niobrara wildlife, camping, open pit fires, River corridor. An arduous, 0.9-mile hunting wrthout a permit, and extreme sports such as ice climbing, ;. nature trail descends from the overlook h to the base of Fort Falls, and then rock climbing, and sport rappelling. o continues to the river before circling r Persons possessing, transporting, o back up to the top of the canyon. or carrying firearms on System lands must Fort Niobrara The more adventurous visitor can comply with all provisions of State Wi,ldet'ness Area enjoy the Fort Niobrara Wilderness and local law. Persons may only use Area on foot or by floating the Niobrara (discharge) firearms in accordance River. Allow 2-4 hours for a float trip with refuge regulations (50 CFR through the Refuge. To help offset 27.42 and specffic refuge regulations the costs ofproviding visitor services, a in 50 CFR Part32). Carrying, small fee is charged for each watercraft possessing, or discharging of launching on Fort Niobrara NWR. fireworks or explosives on national Private outfitters in the area rent wildlife refuges is prohibited. The watercrzft and provide shuttle services. use or possession ofair guns, spears, gigs, or other weapons on national Special Actiaities Visitors can "experience" refuge wildlife refuges is prohibited. management each fall by watching r All government property, including the Bison Roundup and Auction. natural, historic, and archaeological Special activities for children include features, are protected by Federal Kid's Fishing Day and the Junior law. Searching for or removal of Ranger Program. Please contact the objects of antiquity, plants, animals, Refuge staff for information on these rocks, antlers, or other objects is and other special activities that may prohibited. be taking place during your visit. Fort Niobrara National M 3998i1 Refuge Road Valentine, NE 69201 402 I 316 3789 phone 402 I 3163217 lax [email protected] http://www.fws.gov/fortniobrara

Igr Slr1g relay service TTY / Voice: 711

U.S" Fish"and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov

For Refuge lnformation 1 800 / 344 WltD

Fehruary 2014 ffiffi

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Karen Hollingsworth t