National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

National Wildlife Refuge Welcome to Throughout time, this sheltered Browns Park National Browns Park valley known as Browns Park National Wildlife has been and remains a place for Refuge wildlife and people. Browns Park Wildlife Refuge is National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1963 by Public- located along the Land Order to provide sanctuary for migratory birds, conserve endangered and threatened species, Green River in and offer wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities. Wildlife, northwest Colorado. This blue goose, solitude, scenic beauty, and cultural designed by J.N. history combine to make the Refuge Situated between the "Ding" Darling, a national treasure. has become the symbol of the The 13,455-acre Browns Park Cold Springs and National Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge is Refuge System. administered by the U.S. Fish Diamond Mountains, and Wildlife Service. The Refuge is one of over 540 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System - this remote river a network of lands set aside specifically for wildlife. The Refuge valley hasdong been System is a living heritage, consenting wildlife and habitat for people today Hn oasis to both ^m and for generations to come. wildlife and humans p seeking shelter from the surrounding harsh, semi-arid environment

Meadowlark

The Green River flowing through Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge. All photos O Tom Williams History of Remains from prehistoric settlement Riparian Habitat The riparian habitats found along Browns Park of the area that is now the Refuge the Green River, and Vermillion and have been found during cultural Beaver Creeks at Browns Park NWR resource studies. The remains show are made up of cottonwoods, buffalo- that people were living within the berry, willows, and many current Refuge boundaries as early other plants that are as 1500 B.C. Other peoples, including restricted to flood plains the Ute, Sioux, Navajo, and Shoshoni, or areas of permanent wintered in the mild climate of underground water Browns Park or traveled into this supplies. Similarly, many area on trading expeditions. wildlife species depend on riparian plants to fulfill Today, evidence of the early settlers, their life needs. traders, and Native Americans can Thousands of migrating be found throughout the Refuge. Woodkouse's songbirds, like the Lazuli bunting and Three sites, Lodore School, 2-Bar toad Wilson's warbler, rely on riparian Ranch, and Fort Davy Crockett, habitat for refueling as they travel are listed on the Register of National north to their breeding grounds. Other Historic Places. For more information songbirds, such as the black-chinned on the rich history of the area, please hummingbird and Bullock's oriole, see the Refuge's historical brochure. stop to nest. Moose and river otter also raise their young in the riparian Managing Habitat Historically, waterfowl were given area. for Wildlife management priority; however, Refuge management is now also Water development has caused the focused on maintaining a variety of Refuge riparian habitats to change native habitats and wildlife with over time. The riparian area along emphasis on migratory birds. the Green River has been affected threatened and endangered species, by the Flaming Gorge Dam. Before and species of special concern. construction of the dam, the Green River's water levels responded solely Thanks to current management to the uncertainties of nature. techniques, Refuge habitats support Flooding usually occurred in the a rich diversity of wildlife species spring, tapering off to reduced flows including (58 mammals, 15 species of in summer. Spring flooding was reptiles and amphibians, and at least the primary source of water for 228 species of birds. the natural wetlands bordering the river.

After construction of the dam in 1!)(>2. people began to control the river flows. Human control has resulted in a decrease in spring floods and a reduction in the amount of sediment carried by the river. This has resulted in the gradual deepening of the river channel, further reducing the likelihood of flooding, making it difficult for tree and willow roots to reach water, and inhibiting the germination of new seedlings within the riparian habitat. J-Bar Ranch Field research has confirmed that Grassland Nearly 1,900 acres of the Refuge the riparian cottonwood forests are Habitat art' covered by grassland plants aging and not being replaced. such as alkali sacaton, inland Instead, nonnative, invasive species saltgrass, western wheatgrass, such as perennial pepperweed and and Great Basin wild tamarisk are overtaking this rye. These plants habitat. Pepperweed and tamarisk provide nesting cover do not provide forage or appropriate for waterfowl, northern nesting cover for dozens of wildlife harriers, and songbirds species as compared to native such as the savannah willows and cottonwoods. Research sparrow. The grasslands is ongoing to help determine how to also provide habitat for increase the regeneration of new small mammals like the cottonwoods and willows in the montane vole and crucial riparian areas. winter range for elk and mule deer. Over time, Wetland Habitat The seven wetlands at Browns Park vegetation in the NWR provide essential foraging and grasslands becomes resting grounds for migratory heavily matted, and its waterfowl during their spring and habitat value decreases. fall migrations. During the summer, Dam self if Refuge staff uses prescribed fire these wetlands provide to remove the matted vegetation critical nesting habitat which restores the grassland for pied-billed grebes habitat. and several species of ducks. Other species Upland Habitat Semi-desert shrubland dominates dependent upon the the upland habitat. Approximately wetlands include the 7,930 acres of semi-desert shrubland American bitterns, exists on the Refuge. The dominant Woodhouse's toads, and plant species are shadescale, Wyoming white-faced ibis. big sagebrush, greasewood, needle and thread grass, and the non-native, Because seasonal invasive cheatgrass. Refuge species flooding no longer that rely on the semi-desert shrubland naturally floods wetlands for breeding include sage grouse, along the Green River, Brewer's sparrow, loggerhead shrike, tlio Refuge staff pumps Ord's kangaroo rat, and sagebrush water from the river into vole. The shrubland also provides these areas. Water is winter range for mule deer and, also diverted from to a lesser extent, pronghorn. The Beaver and Vermillion upland habitat also consists of about Greeks. These water 1,083 acres of pinyon pine and Utah diversions create 1,245 juniper as well as interspersed areas acres of wetlands. of exposed rock along the southern White-faced ibis Surrounded by arid, semi-desert boundary of the Refuge. Many species uplands, the Refuge and the depend on this arid environment adjacent State of Utah's Waterfowl away from the river including the Management Area contain the only gray flycatcher, pinyon jay, several significant wetland habitat for many species of bats, and lizards. miles around. Habitat In their continuing effort to Hiking Hiking is permitted throughout the Management enhance Refuge habitats. Refuge Refuge, so park your car and do Tools staff use management tools such as some exploring on foot. Please avoid prescribed burning, native plant disturbing animals by getting too seeding, big-game hunting, and close. You know you are approaching control of invasive weeds. On too close when animals stop feeding, when they stand up after they've been resting, when they change their direction of travel, or when they turn and start moving away.

Directions to Browns Park NWR is 60 miles the Refuge northwest of Maybell, Colorado, on State Highway 318, and 100 miles south of Rock Springs, Wyoming, via State Highway 430. If you are traveling from Vernal, Utah, please call the Refuge staff for directions and road conditions. The Refuge office is located approximately 1-mile east of the Colorado and Utah Eastern fence border on State Highway 318. lizard on rock. thousands of acres, invasive plant species such as perennial Because of the remoteness of the pepperweed, cheatgrass, tamarisk, Refuge and lack of cell phone and Canada thistle have become coverage, visitors should be dominant, greatly reducing the prepared in case of an emergency. value of the habitat available to Bring extra water, food, and warm wildlife on the Refuge. Biological, clothes. Fuel is available at a small mechanical, and chemical controls convenience store in the valley. are used to manage these invasive plants.

Enjoying Your Visit Recreational activities abound at Browns Park NWR. While you are here, take advantage of opportunities to fish and hunt, or take a hike to observe and photograph wildlife.

Hirer's Edge This 8-mile auto tour route takes Wildlife Drive you near a variety of Refuge habitats and provides good opportunities for viewing wildlife. The route is passable by passenger vehicles. All other dirt roads are only seasonally passable and are not maintained. Four-wheel drive or high-clearance vehicles are recommended for these roads. Seasonal closures may be in effect.

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Refuge Special regulations are necessary to Accessible An accessible waterfowl hunting Regulations protect wildlife and habitat. Please Facilities blind and fishing pier are located familiarize yourself with the Refuge near Hog Lake. regulations and respect the privileges Firearms, Carrying, possessing, or discharging of other visitors. Your understanding Explosives, and firearms, including archery equipment, of regulations will make your visit a Other Weapons on the Refuge is prohibited except safe and enjoyable one. when using legal firearms during Hours The Refuge is open daily from hunting seasons, as prescribed and sunrise to sunset. After sunset, public approved by the State of Colorado. activity is limited to the Swinging Firearms must be unloaded (no Bridge and Crook campgrounds. The ammunition in either the chamber or office and visitor center are open the magazine), cased, and dismantled from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday when transported in a vehicle. through Friday, and are closed for Carrying, possessing, or discharging Federal holidays. explosives, including fireworks, is strictly prohibited. Target shooting .{ccess To protect wildlife from disturbance is prohibited. and minimize habitat damage, vehicles and bicycles must stay on Animal and Collecting, possessing, or destroying developed roads. The speed limit on Plant Life any plant or animal or part thereof all Refuge roads is 25 mph unless (alive or dead) is prohibited (except posted otherwise. legally taken game). Parking Vehicles must park in pullouts or Introduction of Plants and animals, or their parts, within 10 feet of the road. Overnight Plants and may not be introduced or placed on parking is not permitted unless Animals the Refuge. camping in the designated Historical Searching for, removing, or damaging campgrounds. Artifacts and historic items, Native American Camping Camping is permitted only in Other Valued artifacts, or fossils is prohibited. No designated sites at the campgrounds Objects person shall search for or remove and is limited to 14 days. To protect rocks, stones, or mineral specimens. the solitude of the Refuge, the use of Possession and use of metal detectors generators is prohibited. Please pack are prohibited. out all your trash to keep the Refuge Pets Pets are permitted only if they are beautiful. Developed Bureau of Land confined or leashed (except hunting Management campgrounds un dogs when participating in a legal available nearby at Irish Canyon, hunt). Indian Crossing, and Taylor Flats. Disposal of Dumping of litter, sewage, liquid Horseback riding is permitted only Horses Waste wastes, or any other material on the on designated roads. Use of certified Refuge is prohibited. weed-free hay is required to minimize further introduction of invasive plants. Horses are not permitted in campgrounds. Accessibility Equal opportunity to participate Information in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. Dial 7-1-1 for a free connection to the State transfer relay service for TTY and voice calls to and from the speech and hearing impaired. For more information contact Refuge staff at 970 / 365 3613 or the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. Ladgbug on Great Basin irild rge.

Refuge Signs and The following information is their Meaning provided to help you understand the meaning of the regulatory signs that you will see on the Refuge. This sign indicates the legal boundary of the Refuge. The fence line is not always the boundary line. Regulations and further information are available at the Refuge office.

The areas behind these signs are open to permitted activities only.

The areas behind these signs are closed to all hunting.

The areas behind these signs are Bull moose in Straddle Bottom wetlands. closed to vehicle traffic. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge 1318 Highway 318 Maybell, CO 81640 970/365 3613 Browns Park 970/365 3614 fax [email protected] http://brownspark.fws.gov National Wildlife For State transfer relay service Refuge TTY/ Voice: 711

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

For Refuge Information 1 800 / 344 WILD

July 2004