Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge
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| Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
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  Map of the United States  Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge (Louisiana) | |
| Location | West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States |
| Nearest city | St. Francisville, Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 30°47′30″N 91°29′30″W / 30.79167°N 91.49167°W |
| Area | 9,623 acres (38.9 km2) |
| Established | 2000 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge |
Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge was established on October 27, 2000, as the 526th refuge in the United States National Wildlife Refuge System. It is located near the town of St. Francisville, Louisiana, which is 30 miles (48 km) north of Baton Rouge. The refuge was established to conserve, restore, and manage native forested wetland habitats for migratory birds, aquatic resources, and endangered and threatened plants and animals. Additionally, it was created to encourage the use of volunteers and facilitate partnerships among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, local communities, and conservation organizations to promote public awareness of resources of the refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
In 2000, The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana purchased the land that would become Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge. The land was acquired, in stages, by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. By 2003, the refuge grew to its current size of 9,623 acres (38.9 km2). The congressionally approved acquisition boundary is 36,500 acres (148 km2).
