U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge 3982 Waverly Road Williamstown, WV 26187 Ohio River 304/ 375 2923 www.fws.gov/northeast/ohioriverislands E-mail: [email protected] Islands West Virginia Relay Center 1 800/982 8771 TDD National Wildlife 1 800/828 1140 Voice Refuge The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Federal Relay Service for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Service is the only agency of 1 800/877 8339 the U.S. government whose U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service primary responsibility 1 800/344 WILD is fish, wildlife and http://www.fws.gov plant conservation. The April 2010 Service protects a healthy environment for people, fish and wildlife, and helps Americans conserve and enjoy the outdoors and our living treasures. The Service’s responsibilities are for migratory birds, endangered species, certain marine animals, and freshwater and anadromous fish. Middle Island Female belted kingfisher Janet Butler/USFWS Cal Vornberger Scattered along 362 miles of the Ohio River, the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge restores and protects habitat for wildlife in one of our nation’s busiest inland waterways. Wells Island Janet Butler/USFWS The Ohio River Islands National About the Refuge Mature bottomland Wildlife Refuge is one of more than hardwood forest 550 refuges and other units in the National Wildlife Refuge System, the world’s largest and most diverse network of lands and waters devoted specifically to wildlife. Refuges are places where wildlife comes first! Volunteer tree planters This refuge began with the purchase of eight islands by the U.S. Fish This blue goose, and Wildlife Service in 1990. Today, designed by J.N. the refuge includes two islands "Ding" Darling, has in Pennsylvania, eighteen islands become the symbol and three mainland tracts in West of the National Wildlife Refuge Virginia, and two islands in Kentucky. Gene Hilton/USFWS System. Additional properties may be acquired in the future. Why a Refuge? The Ohio River today has little in common with the wild, free-flowing river of two hundred years ago. Industrial expansion, dam building, Dewayne & Ginnie Lowther sand and gravel dredging, and other Restoring Habitat Restoring the river’s floodplain forest human influences have reduced both habitat is a refuge priority. Current the quantity and quality of the river’s habitat conditions range from open wildlife habitat. fields and recently planted tree seedlings, to remnant giants of silver The Ohio River Islands National maple, cottonwood, and sycamore. Wildlife Refuge helps safeguard a While natural processes are re- future for wildlife on over 3,000 acres growing much of the island forests, of land and underwater habitat. The the refuge also plants many species of refuge works to protect, restore, and native trees and shrubs to help create enhance habitat for wildlife native to more diverse wildlife habitat. the river’s floodplain. Protecting Islands The sand and gravel deposits associated with the islands are one of the refuge’s most important underwater habitats for supporting native freshwater mussels, including several endangered species. These legacies of the last Ice Age are protected today from dredging, but many islands show damage from past activity. The effects of navigation and high water continue to hasten island erosion. The refuge is working to stabilize riverbanks and reclaim lost shoreline with help from partners. Dean Rhine/USFWS Buckley Island erosion control project Tiny warblers stand out in spring. Some stop at the refuge for rest and meals of insects during migration journeys that may take them thousands of miles. Others, like the prothonotary warbler, often stay to nest. USFWS Japanese Non-native plants are one of the knotweed greatest threats to wildlife habitat on the refuge. Japanese knotweed, mile-a-minute weed, and many other unwelcome invaders crowd out native Screech owl Neal J. Hohman plants, changing the character and Prothonotary warbler quality of the habitats. Controlling these exotic plants is essential to Great blue herons flourish along the restoring habitat. river, just one of many wading and shorebird species that feed in or Wildlife Refuge wildlife ranges from tree-top around shallow waters. Several great dwellers to underwater inhabitants. blue heron nesting rookeries are Refuge wildlife management focuses known along the refuge’s stretch on migratory birds, freshwater Bruce VanBremer of river. mussels, and endangered species. Mammals White-tailed deer, fox squirrel, Birds Nearly 200 species of birds use refuge raccoon, woodchuck, cottontail rabbit, lands and surrounding waters. Many and red fox are some of the most are present only during migration frequently seen mammals on the when they stop to feed and rest. refuge. Small rodents such as mice, Providing high quality habitat for voles, and shrews hide in the grass migratory birds ranks among the and undergrowth to avoid predators. refuge’s most important goals. Opossum Beaver and Bald eagles linger along the river muskrat spend mainly during the colder months. The most of their time river’s fish also attract osprey, a bird in water but leave most common in spring, summer and signs of their fall. presence on many of the islands. Waterfowl, including wood ducks, Night brings mallards, and Canada geese, nest out the southern on the refuge. Others, such as flying squirrel and mergansers, scaups, and buffleheads, at least six species are frequent winter visitors. Dean Rhine/USFWS of bats. Fish A range of deep and shallow water Enjoying the Visitors are welcome on the refuge. habitats surrounding refuge islands Refuge Refuge lands are open to the public support over 100 species of fish. from one hour before sunrise until The presence of smallmouth and one hour after sunset, with emphasis largemouth bass, white bass, channel on wildlife-dependent recreation. and flathead catfish, and sauger make fishing a popular sport. Many native Refuge islands are accessible only non-game fish add to the diversity. by private boat except for Middle Island near St. Marys, WV, which has a bridge. A small refuge parcel on Wheeling Island can be reached by walking from Belle Isle Park. Carry-down boat access is available near refuge headquarters for small boats, canoes, and kayaks. Public boat ramps located off of the refuge provide river access for larger boats. Visitor Contact The refuge’s new headquarters Station includes a visitor contact station Janet Butler/USFWS located two miles outside of Mussel diversity Williamstown, WV, on County Rd. Freshwater Freshwater mussels act like little 1 (Waverly Road). Visitors can view Mussels water-filtration pumps on the bottom exhibits about refuge wildlife, history, of the river. Just by feeding, they and public use. This facility is open clean the water. Forty species of from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a Mon. freshwater mussels occur on the – Sat. schedule from April through refuge, including the endangered pink November, and Mon. – Fri. the mucket and the fanshell. Freshwater remainder of the year (same hours). mussels are among the nation’s It is closed on all federal holidays. most imperiled wildlife. The refuge’s underwater sand and gravel deposits provide vital mussel habitat. Some of the best fishing in the Ohio The invasion of the Ohio River by non-native zebra mussels threatens native mussel survival. The refuge is working with partners to conserve native mussels throughout the Ohio River watershed. Other Wildlife Frogs, toads, non-poisonous snakes, and turtles also live on the refuge. Butterflies stand out among many insects during the warmer months. Janet Butler/USFWS Zebra swallowtail Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Timothy Hoeflich butterfly Refuge headquarters Janet Butler/USFWS Janet Butler/USFWS Anglers at Buckley Island Photographer Middle Island offers a wildlife Fishing Some of the best fishing in the Ohio observation blind along its nature River occurs around the islands. All trail. The observation blind and the refuge islands are open to fishing trail leading to it are barrier-free. during refuge open hours with state regulations in effect. Hunting Most refuge islands are open to hunting with special regulations Two mainland fishing dikes are in effect. Hunters should contact available along the shoreline near the refuge for the required permit. the refuge headquarters. One of the Appropriate state licenses are also dikes offers barrier-free access from required. Opportunities include a paved parking area. Middle Island archery deer, waterfowl, dove, rabbit, also offers a fishing dike, providing and squirrel hunting. walk-down access to the river. Other Activities The refuge and its Friends Environmental The refuge works with teachers to organization offer special activities Education and provide outdoor education activities and events throughout the year with Interpretation for school groups. School, civic, and emphasis on children’s activities professional groups may arrange during the summer. Contact the for talks and tours by contacting the refuge for more information. refuge. A signed auto tour on Middle Island explains the refuge’s actions to restore this island’s habitat. A nature trail on the island takes visitors through a range of wildlife habitats. This trail is open to foot traffic only. Wildlife A network of short walking trails near Observation and the refuge headquarters range from Photography gentle bottomland terrain with views of the river to access into wooded hills. A paved, barrier-free trail starts Neal J. Hohman at the refuge headquarters. Wood duck pair The following n All-terrain vehicles are not activities or items permitted anywhere on the refuge. are prohibited: n No woodcutting or mowing is allowed. n Camping and campfires are prohibited. n No overnight boat mooring is allowed. n No permanent structures such as tree stands, stairways, rope swings, Janet Butler/USFWS and water slides are permitted. Volunteers Want to Contact the refuge to learn how you Federal law prohibits searching for Volunteer? can become involved with the refuge.