Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge

  • Home
  • Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge

Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge Clarks River NWR, established in 1998, provides nesting and migration habitat for migratory birds.

Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge is one of only two National Wildlife Refuges managed within the state of Kentucky. Bottomland hardwood forests, found on the refuge, are one of the most biologically productive ecosystems on land, and the rich moist soils from seasonal flooding nourish an explosion of wildlife diversity. Freshwater mussels, amphibians, fish, and mammals are all found in abunda

nce here, and migratory songbirds and waterfowl take advantage of this rich habitat on their long flights from nesting to wintering grounds. This diversity and abundance of wildlife provides ample hunting, fishing, and other recreational opportunities. Clarks River NWR protects, manages, and enhances this ecosystem and healthy and viable populations of wildlife found here through habitat and wildlife management, environmental education, and cooperative partnerships with conservation agencies and landowners.

23/06/2026

Gravity is more of a suggestion when you’re a rat snake 🌳🐍

These skilled climbers can scale trees with surprising ease, using rough bark and powerful muscles to move upward in search of bird nests, shelter, predator escape, or a sunny resting spot.

Nature really said: “What if spaghetti could climb?”



video: Rat Snake climbing a tree with natural sounds.
📹 Kimberly Sykes/USFWS

🌸🐝Pollinator Week is a time to recognize the incredible animals that help plants produce seeds, fruits, and future gener...
22/06/2026

🌸🐝Pollinator Week is a time to recognize the incredible animals that help plants produce seeds, fruits, and future generations. While they're often small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, their impact stretches across entire ecosystems.

A single native wildflower patch can support bees, butterflies, beetles, and other pollinators while providing food for birds and wildlife farther up the food chain. Healthy pollinator populations mean healthier habitats, more wildflowers, and stronger ecosystems.

Tiny workers. Huge impact. Happy ! 🦋🌼



photo: Blooming wildflowers with butterflies and bees on them.
📸 Stacey Hayden/USFWS

Our office will be closed today in recognition of Juneteenth. We will reopen on Monday, June 22nd.     photo: American f...
19/06/2026

Our office will be closed today in recognition of Juneteenth. We will reopen on Monday, June 22nd.



photo: American flag waving.
📸 Adobe Stock

Don’t be a fawn napper! Until they are strong enough to keep up with their mothers, deer fawns are left alone for hours ...
16/06/2026

Don’t be a fawn napper!

Until they are strong enough to keep up with their mothers, deer fawns are left alone for hours while their mothers go off to feed. Mother deer will stay away from the fawns to avoid leading predators to their young.

Well-meaning humans often assume that because a fawn is alone it must be an orphan, leading to numerous “fawn nappings” each year.

If you find a fawn, leave the area and allow mom to return. If the fawn is in danger it can be moved to safety and mom will still care for her young. If the fawn is injured or mom is injured or dead, a licensed rehabber should be contacted for assistance: https://app.fw.ky.gov/rehabilitatorNew/



Photo: Deer fawn in grass.
📸 USFWS

Pushing through Monday like a mushroom through the forest floor.The appearance of mushrooms generally signals highly nut...
15/06/2026

Pushing through Monday like a mushroom through the forest floor.

The appearance of mushrooms generally signals highly nutritious, moisture-rich, and healthy soil. Exactly what you would expect in a bottomland hardwood forest. 🌳 🍄



Photo: Mushroom pushing through leaf litter.
📸 Stacey Hayden/USFWS

Tiny but toxic.  🧡Meet the Orange Passiflora Flea Beetle (Parchicola tibialis). It's an orange beetle that feeds exclusi...
11/06/2026

Tiny but toxic. 🧡

Meet the Orange Passiflora Flea Beetle (Parchicola tibialis). It's an orange beetle that feeds exclusively on passionflower vines (Passiflora incarnata). They acquire toxicity from the host plant to deter predators.



photo: Small orange beetle on a green leaf.
📸 Stacey Hayden/USFWS

Before the sun dries the dew away, the whole field turns into lace 🌾💧Hundreds of spiderwebs suddenly appear where the gr...
09/06/2026

Before the sun dries the dew away, the whole field turns into lace 🌾💧

Hundreds of spiderwebs suddenly appear where the grass looked empty just hours before, each one stitched between stems like delicate silver embroidery.

Most mornings, we walk past these tiny architects without ever noticing their work. But add a little moisture and the invisible becomes visible.

A reminder that entire worlds exist around us, waiting for the right light to reveal them ✨🕸️



photo: Field dotted with spiderwebs covered in dew.
📸 Tony Black/USFWS

When two wildlife architects accidentally collaborate 🦇🐦This bat roost pole at our Environmental Education and Recreatio...
08/06/2026

When two wildlife architects accidentally collaborate 🦇🐦

This bat roost pole at our Environmental Education and Recreation Area got a bonus feature courtesy of a red-bellied woodpecker—who decided the structure needed a custom entrance hole and moved right in.



photo: Red-bellied Woodpecker looking out of a hole it created in a bat roost structure pole.
📸 Karen Smith/USFWS

05/06/2026

Gliding down the river like it owns the place 💦

American coots may look duck-like at first glance, but they’re actually more closely related to rails. With their bright white bill, red eyes, and oversized lobed toes built for swimming, they’re full of little surprises.

And despite their somewhat clumsy walk on land, in the water they move like tiny feathered tugboats—steady, determined, and completely unbothered.

Just another peaceful day drifting down the Clarks River 🌿



video: American coot swimming down a river surrounded by green vegetation.
📸 Dusty Harrell/USDA

This is the caterpillar of the variegated fritillary, a fast-flying orange butterfly. 🦋At this stage, it’s all appetite ...
04/06/2026

This is the caterpillar of the variegated fritillary, a fast-flying orange butterfly. 🦋

At this stage, it’s all appetite and growth. Those spiny projections may look fierce, but they’re harmless to people and help discourage predators from taking a bite. After enough eating and growing, this little crawler will form a chrysalis and emerge as a butterfly built for pollinating flowers and wandering sunny fields.

Nature really said: “Let’s make the baby look dangerous and the adult look elegant.”



photo: Bright orange caterpillar on a small plant being held by a hand in a garden glove.
📸 Stacey Hayden/USFWS

Address

91 US Highway 641 North

42025

Opening Hours

Monday 07:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 07:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 07:00 - 16:00
Thursday 07:00 - 16:00
Friday 07:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+12705275770

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

  • Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service?

Share