Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge located near the tip of Long Island near Sag Harbor. Though small in size at only 187 acres, this refuge boasts a diversity of habitats including salt and brackish water marshes, oak forest, and shrub grasslands.

Refuge History: Before the arrival of European settlers the land that is now Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge was home to Native American tribes including the Shinnekock and Montauk Tribes. In 1640, the colony of South Hampton was founded by two settlers from Massachusetts named John Jessup and John Farrington. In 1679, Jessup claimed ownership of the peninsula and in 1724, his daughter Abigail was buried there. In 1800, Isaac Osborn, the man who introduced shorthorn cattle and merino sheep to Long Island, purchased the land for agricultural purposes. After Osborn the ownership of the land passed through many hands until finally the Morton family donated it to the Fish and Wildlife Service in order to protect the migratory birds that made refuge there.

Flora and Fauna: Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge protects the home of numerous plant and animal species. Some of the plants that grow inside the refuge boundaries include oaks, maples, and cedars. Some of the animals who call this place home include turtles, harbor seals, and 300 bird species including seagulls, ospreys, hawks, falcons, owls, ducks, and many others. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge boasts nearly three miles of undeveloped beachfront. Come on out and explore!