Linking Cities to Wildlife continued

providing opportunities for the Service to share its wildlife mission.

Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuges provide exploration and adventure for all

Four national wildlife refuges are easily accessible in metropolitan area

Photos from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

OREGON 26 47 Gaston

Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

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Ridgefield 30

National Wildlife Refuge 5

Vancouver 5

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205 14 Portland WASHINGTON Steigerwald Lake Columbia River 26 National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge, a new refuge, lies to the west of Portland. While not yet open to the public, you can see wildlife from the surrounding roads. A haven for migrat- ing and wintering waterfowl, the ref- uge is most known for the hundreds of tundra swans that visit in winter. The Service is busy developing res- toration plans, considering future pub- lic access, and acquiring additional land. In the meantime, local communi- ty advocates are planning to convert the historic Westsider rail line, directly adjacent to the refuge, into a 17-mile multi-use trail connecting local towns and linking up with a state highway bicycle trail. The route has magnificent vistas of the Coast Range, passes many farms, provides economic benefits of local shopping, dining, and wine tasting, and of course, will provide vistas of a refuge teeming with wildlife. The future success of conservation in this country lies ultimately in the ability to inspire Americans to connect with the outdoors and nature, and to become stewards of the environment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to doing our part by con- necting our rich wildlife and habitat resources to people of all walks of life.

Visit to learn more about these efforts and other programs of the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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NEW YEARS 2015 AmericanTrails.org

Columbia River