Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge

Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge. . , A place of quiet beauty, Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge is located on Knotts Island, at the northeast corner of North Carolina. Nature lovers are drawn to the nearly 8000 acres of marsh, timberland and cropland., A Place in Conservation History , Mackay Island is the situ of a little known, but important fact in the history of wildlife conservation. In 1934, Joseph Knapp founded the organization, More Game Birds of America. In 1937, this organization was incorporated as the modern day conservation group known as Ducks Unlimited., A Home for Wildlife , Strategically located along the Atlantic Flyway, Mackay Island Refuge is an important wintering area for thousands of ducks, geese, and swans. The Refuge plays a critical role in the conservation of the greater snow goose. At times, 40,000 of these birds may use the area. Mackay Island Refuge also attracts many other kinds of wildlife, including wading birds, muskrat, otter, deer and fox. Also, please be aware of the cottonmouth, a poisonous snake, which is abundant on the refuge. Remember, all the wildlife is protected., Managing for Wildlife , The refuge staff works throughout the year to maintain healthy wildlife populations. The objectives focus on modifying the habitat to provide food, water and shelter and on monitoring the wildlife populations. The tools of management include farming for corn, wheat, and other grains, prescribed burning, providing wood duck nesting boxes and osprey nesting platforms, and controlling water levels in the impoundments.