U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service li'liim National Wildlife Refuge • • 4m mW Welcome to Fort Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Niobrara National Refuge (NWR) is 19,131 acres in East meets west, Wildlife Refuge size and is located in north-central Nebraska along the scenic Niobrara north meets south... River. The Refuge, once a frontier military fort, supports an exceptional diversity of plants and wildlife six different plant representative of the northern This blue goose, Great Plains and geographic regions communities designed by J.N. east, west, north, and south of here. "Di-tig" Darling, converge along the has become the Fort Niobrara NWR is one of over symbol of the 550 refuges in the National Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge System — a network of lands Niobrara River on Refuge System. set aside and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifically Fort Niobrara for wildlife. The Refuge System is a living heritage, conserving wildlife | National Wildlife and habitat for people today and generations to come. Refuge, thereby A History of The land and water of Fort Niobrara the Landscape NWR have sustained a rich diversity providing habitat of wildlife for thousands of years. Fossils from more than 20 extinct for a rich and mammal species, including the long-jawed mastodon, giant bison, and three-toed horse, have been ^unusual diversity unearthed on the Refuge. These animals roamed the area from of wildlife. 13 million years ago through the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago. Two centuries ago, the Refuge and surrounding area was a sea of grass, unbroken except for wooded streams and rivers. Low rainfall, sandy soil, periodic fires, and high winds limited the establishment of trees and the growth of some grasses. Magnificent herds of bison and elk inhabited the area along with sharp-tailed grouse, 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 landscape along the Niobrara River 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 hunting and habitat loss caused and Wildlife formations, along with differing once-plentiful 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 Niobrara 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 faIs •/. sandstone rocks that Refuge In the early 1900s, President Theodore underlie the Sandhills. Establishment Roosevelt and private conservation i Waterfalls occur where organizations, such as the National a seeps and springs flow _: over layers of hard rock. Audubon Society and American fa" Bison Society, were becoming increasingly concerned with the Plants Six major plant communities exploitation of wildlife and their converge along the Niobrara River 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 sharp- for native birds." Later that year, north. Rocky Mountain coniferous tailed grouse the Refuge's purpose was expanded forest occurs on dry, rocky soils and displaying on to include the conservation of bison steep eroding cliffs. Plants from the their breeding and elk herds representative of those eastern deciduous forest, northern that once roamed the Great Plains. boreal forest, and tallgrass prairie ground in tlie Seventy-six miles spring communities inhabit water-rich areas of the Niobrara such as the river floodplain and River, including canyon walls. the portion that flows through the Refuge, are included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System m (above); nectar- Is •- rich blossoms c co of the Rocky "c •- X 1 Mountain c a beeplant attract butterflies, bees, I and other insects — 3 (right). c Equal opportunity to participate 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 711 for a free connection to the State relay service for TTY and voice calls to and from the speech and hearing impaired. For more information or to address accessibility needs, please contact Refuge staff at 402/376 3789 or the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. Birds Over 230 species of birds 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 groups. 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 tk S other. Weighing around songbird species, such as c 2,000 pounds, bulls the golden-winged X between 7 and 12 years warbler, stop on the I of age usually dominate Refuge during their X the courtship and breeding G. migration between ritual. Calves are born the wintering and breeding 8 following spring. G grounds. Others, such as wood ducks and grasshopper Other Wildlife In addition to the wildlife already sparrows, come here to breed. mentioned, 48 other mammal species, Sharp-tailed grouse and greater 24 reptile and amphibian species, and prairie-chickens are year-round several fish species are found on the residents of Fort 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 fruits, 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 of the 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 The rolling by bison and elk in an effort to mimic Plains. Many of the natural behaviors "pulippulip" the historic processes that helped and traits of these hardy animals call of the upland shape the native plant communities exist today on the Refuge. sandpiper can of the Refuge. be heard during the summer (top Bison are an ideal management left); "Wapiti" "tool" because they range over large is a Shawnee areas, eat and trample a variety of Indian word prairie plants, and turn the soil with J2 meaning "white their wallowing. This disturbance i deer" in reference helps keep native prairie communities S to the bleached diverse and healthy. Refuge lands, X spring coat of however, can only support a certain •=. elk (bottom left); number of bison. To keep the bison e. X these bison calves herd in balance with its food supply may live 20 years and meet the habitat requirements i or more on the of other wildlife, many bison are sold 1 Refuge (top right). at public auction or donated each fall. a I Enjoying 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 your visit more offers many opportunities for wildlife- enjoyable, the following regulations dependent recreation, but please are strictly enforced: remember that the needs of wildlife • 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 • Licensed vehicles are allowed to you can visit include the following. travel designated, graveled roadways. Headquarters A visitor center, with informative • River floating on the Refuge is and Visitor displays and exhibits, a bookstore, allowed downstream from Cornell Center and staff to answer your questions, Dam only. No more than five float is open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm daily from 3 tubes carrying a maximum of eight Memorial Day through Labor Day, Burrowing people may be tied together. and Monday through Friday during owl (left); • Fishing is allowed on the the rest of the year, except on black-tailed Minnechaduza Creek and along the Federal holidays. prairie dog Niobrara River downstream from (above). Cornell Dam. Collecting baitfish, frogs, and turtles is not allowed. Auto Tour Route, A 314-mile, self-guided auto tour route Observation Deck, starts near the visitor center and • Prohibited items and activities and Nature Trail provides the opportunity 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.