We manage the following National Wildlife Refuges:
Chincoteague
Wallops Island
Eastern Shore of Virginia
Fisherman Island
For official information, visit: www.fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague. Welcome to the official page of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, located on Assateague Island in Virginia! The Refuge encompasses extraordinary and ever-changing lands at the edge of the sea, a
place where unique habitats and wildlife flourish. In partnership with others, the refuge is a vital part of a larger system of protected lands and waters on the Delmarva Peninsula that are critical to migratory birds. People from around the world can visit the refuge to learn, recreate, refresh themselves, be inspired by wildlife and wild lands, and renew their connection with nature. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory birds with an emphasis on conserving greater snow geese. Today we protect over 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest and provide habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and song birds as well as other species of wildlife and plants. At the same time we are proud to be one of the most visited refuges in the country welcoming upwards of 1.25 million visitors annually. You are welcome to visit any time of the year and every season brings unique opportunities to enjoy nature. You can hike the trails or stroll on the beach, watch wildlife, take pictures, go fishing, climb the lighthouse, hunt, attend ranger guided programs, discover our visitor center… the list goes on! Please keep in mind that we do not allow pets on our refuge, even in your vehicle. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is just one of over 560 refuges across the country. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world’s largest collection of lands set aside specifically for the conservation of wildlife and the protection of ecosystems, with at least one site in each state. . Fish and Wildlife Service administers the Refuge System to safeguard the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. The Service is known for our scientific excellence, our stewardship of lands and natural resources, our dedication to conservation and our stellar wildlife professionals. While we hope that this page will help you stay connected to our work, we also hope that it will keep us connected to you and the issues you care about. Your participation on this page is vital and all feedback is welcome--both good and bad. Your perspective is welcomed and we hope that conversations about the Service can be productive, fun, and engaging. This is an official page of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To learn more about our social media efforts, and to find a list of official USFWS social media sites, please visit our social media hub: www.fws.gov/home/socialmedia
