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Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge
Welcome to Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge located in Missouri near Columbia. This refuge is not one big swath of land but many scattered parcels on the banks of the Missouri River between the cities of Kansas City and St. Louis. It is currently about 11,000 acres in size but there are plans to expand it up to more than 60,000 acres.
The Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is growing. Established in 1994, the refuge has grown to over 11,000 acres. Like pearls on a string, these acres are spread out as individual units along the Missouri River between Kansas City and St. Louis. These pearls of habitat benefit floodplain-dependent fish and wildlife species. The Big Muddy Refuge is planning to grow to 60,000 acres by buying land from willing sellers who want to see their properties set aside for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of all.
Refuge History: Long before the arrival of European settlers Native American tribes ruled this land for many centuries and hunted it's game and fished it's waters. When the first European explorers arrived, including members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, they were very impressed with the abundance of wildlife along the riverbanks including species they had never seen before. Over the years the Missouri River became an important transportation route to the American West and small towns and farming communities began sprouting up along her banks. Many of these communities were devastated by flooding. In the late 19th Century Congress approved funds to improve the navigability of the Missouri River. Some of the changes made including the removal of snags and the construction of channels and reservoirs. These changes brought many dramatic changes to the wildlife habitat and river ecosystems.
The flood of 1993 pushed many residents in the region to higher elevations. In September 1994 Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge was established "for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources." Many of the former farms were purchased and restored to their natural state.
Wildlife: Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge helps protect the home of numerous wild animals including otters, raccoons, squirrels, beavers, deer, bobcats, rabbits, muskrats, and wild turkeys. Please treat their home with respect.
For the lover of the outdoors this refuge boasts some of the best catfish fishing in the United States, numerous trails, and so much more. Come on out and explore.
Location:
Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge
Missouri United States
38.843986, -92.427979