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Aroostook NWR Brochure

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Aroostook NWR Brochure U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Northern Maine National Wildlife Refuge Complex Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge 97 Refuge Road Limestone, Maine 04750 Aroostook 207/328 4634 http://www.fws.gov/northeast/aroostook National Wildlife Federal Relay Service for the deaf and hard-of –hearing 1-800/877 8339 Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1/800 344 WILD http://www.fws.gov January 2016 Bull Moose ©Paul Cyr More than 560 National Wildlife Refuges The mission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service comprising more than 150 million acres is working with others to conserve, protect and stretch across the United States from northern enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats Alaska to the Florida Keys and include small for the continuing benefit of the American islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific. people. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s The character of the refuges are as diverse as first priority on national wildlife refuges is the nation itself. The mission of the National protecting wildlife and its habitat. However, Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a a secondary purpose of refuges is providing national network of lands and waters for opportunities for wildlife-related education and the conservation, management, and where recreation. Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and is part of the Northern Maine National Wildlife plant resources and their habitats within the Refuge Complex and offers numerous public United States for the benefit of the present and use opportunities that are compatible with its future generations of Americans. wildlife management goals. WA ME ND MT MN OR NH VT ID WI MI SD NY MA WY RI CT NV IA PA NJ NE IL OH PACIFIC OUTLYING AREA IN MD DE UT CO WV CA KS VA MO PUERTO RICO & VIRGIN ISLANDS KY NC TN AZ OK NM AR SC GA MS AL TX LONG ISLAND NEW YORK AREA ALASKA NORTH DAKOTA LA FL HAWAII NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT History of the The Aroostook National Wildlife nuclear weapons. Caribou Air Force refuge Refuge is located in northern Station located in the northeast An Maine, on part of the former Loring corner of the site served as a top- environmental Air Force Base. The refuge was secret, self-contained nuclear success story established in 1998 when land weapons storage base. was transferred from the U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife What was once a strategic military Service. In addition to lands that base for nearly half of a century, were transferred from the military, is now being restored to a diverse the refuge manages more than 1,500 assemblage of protected lands acres of conservation easements. in northern Maine. Extensive The establishment of the refuge restoration of the site began in northern Maine highlights the immediately after the establishment importance of land conservation of the refuge. Demolition of in an area dominated by industrial military buildings and cleanup of logging and agriculture, and provides contaminated soils has taken place the potential for additional land since the refuge was established. The protection. refuge manages lands to conserve and protect a diversity of native Loring Air Force Base served as a wildlife habitats and species. The critical military facility throughout Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge is the Cold War. The Strategic Air the northern most National Wildlife Command was stationed at the Refuge in the northeastern United base from 1950 to 1994 flying long- States. range bombers capable of delivering Historic Weapons Storage Area Former Loring Air Force Base Managing Habitat Located close to the Canadian for Wildlife border, Aroostook NWR’s vegetation contains elements of the sub-boreal forest that occurs further to the north and hardwood forests typically found in southern parts of the state. The refuge is comprised of forested This blue goose, designed by J.N. habitats interspersed with streams, “Ding” Darling, has ponds, wetlands and grasslands. become the symbol of Northern softwood forests dominated the National Wildlife by black and red spruce, tamarack, Refuge System balsam fir, white cedar, aspen, white birch and red maple are the principle trees found on the refuge. Due to the buffered pH in the soil from limestone deposits, many unique plants occur on the refuge. Lady USFWS slipper orchids, Canada lily, trout East Loring lake lily, pitcher plant, sundew, variegated scouring rush and many other plants Habitats of the From pole timber to mature forests, are found here. refuge various stages of forest succession may be found throughout the Mid to late Aroostook NWR provides long term refuge. Spruce/fir and hardwood Successional forests provide critical breeding and conservation of important upland Forest and wetland habitats for migratory wintering habitat for many species of birds and the federally threatened wildlife. Pine marten, fisher, ermine, Canada lynx and Northern long- woodpeckers, thrushes and warblers eared bat. The refuge manages and frequent the refuges mature forests. enhances habitats for wildlife, thereby contributing to biological diversity Early Previously disturbed lands and USFWS and providing wildlife oriented public Successional overgrown fields on the refuge are Spruce grouse uses. Refuge staff are working to transitioning to young hardwood and restore important habitats that were softwood stands. These regenerating altered by previous military use of forests offer Neotropical migratory the land. birds habitat to nest and raise young. Early successional forests are an ideal habitat for snowshoe hare, Canada lynx, woodcock, warblers and flycatchers. Grasslands Through the practice of mowing and burning fields, the refuge provides breeding habitat for many grassland dependent bird species including upland sandpiper, bobolink and savannah sparrows. Moose, deer and bear frequent many of the fields around dawn and dusk. Wetlands From peat bogs to cedar swamps USFWS to vernal pools, numerous wetland Canada lynx Greenlaw Brook Unit East Loring Unit Legend Rivers/Ponds Refuge Boundary Parking Hiking Wildlife Drive Trail Legend Weapons Storage Area Headquarters Refuge Boundary Rivers/Ponds Trail Hiking Rivers/Ponds Little Madawaska Stream Unit Legend Refuge Boundary Road to river Hiking Rivers/Ponds habitats are scattered across much of the refuge. The diversity of wetlands offer numerous waterfowl species optimal nest sites and amphibians, like frogs and salamanders, a safe place to lay eggs. Lakes & Ponds Aquatic habitats are interspersed throughout the refuge and are influenced by seasonal beaver activities. Many species of waterfowl, bald eagles, brook trout, river otter and muskrat can be found in or around refuge lakes and ponds. Rivers & Streams Many of the refuge’s habitats are influenced by seasonal water level changes. Rivers and streams allow for the movement of many of the refuges aquatic species including landlocked salmon, brook trout, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Kirk Rogers White-winged crossbill Kirk Rogers Bald eagle chickadees, spruce grouse, black- backed woodpeckers, Blackburnian and bay breasted warblers, hermit thrush and many other migratory USFWS songbirds can be seen and heard in Sandpiper Kirk Rogers the forest of the refuge. Waterfowl, Wildlife The refuge abuts the northeastern Bay breasted ruffed grouse, American woodcock, Highlights edge of the ‘Northern Maine Forest’, warbler northern goshawk and bald eagle A haven for an expanse of land encompassing are commonly observed. A variety of wildlife millions of acres of forestland in mammals such as moose, white-tailed northern Maine. The area is well deer, snowshoe hare, beaver, lynx, known for its abundance of boreal river otter, mink, ermine and coyote bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian occur on the refuge. and rare plant species. Boreal Visitor Activities Displays, brochures, and films Wildlife Watching Tips Connecting are available. Refuge staff is also people with available for visitor questions Dawn and dusk are the best nature and comments. The Friends times to see wildlife. Visitor Contact Group provides a seasonally Station volunteer staffed nature store and In warmer climates, little is environmental education programs. moving on hot summer afternoons or on windy days. Trails A system of 13 miles of trails are available year round to explore the Observe from the sidelines. various habitats that are found in Leave “abandoned” young northern Maine. Many of the trails animals alone. A parent is are groomed for cross country skiing probably close by waiting for and snowshoeing in the winter. you to leave. Don’t offer snacks; your lunch could disrupt wild Bicycling The refuge road and auto tour route digestive systems. are open to bicyclists on a seasonal basis. Cars make good observation blinds. Drive slowly, stopping Boating Canoeing and kayaking on the Little to scan places wildlife might Madawaska Stream offers excellent hide. Use binoculars or a long opportunities for viewing wildlife. lens for a closer look. Fishing & Fishing and Hunting are not Try sitting quietly in one good Hunting permitted on the refuge at this time. location. Let wildlife get used to your presence. Many animals Historic Area The historic weapons storage area, that have hidden will reappear including more than 40 bunkers is once they think you are gone. open to the public seasonally. Walk quietly in designated areas, being aware of sounds Auto Tour Route The auto tour route provides an and smells. Often you will hear accessible opportunity to explore more than you will see. the refuge and experience wildlife in natural setting. The auto tour route is open on a seasonal basis. Teach children quiet observation. Other wildlife watchers will appreciate your consideration. Look for animal signs. Tracks, scat, feathers, and nests left behind often tell interesting stories. USFWS Birdwatching and Fishing derby Volunteers Volunteers are an important part of the refuge. They assist with public use programs, wildlife management activities, environmental education programs and trail maintenance. Visit the refuge Website or visit the refuge for additional information.
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