Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge - Ma-le'l Dunes Unit

We have an amazing opportunity to conserve, manage, and restore fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats across the United States. By doing so, we can ensure a brighter future for generations to come! The refuge has several different units totaling almost 4,000 acres. These units consist of a mosaic of mudflats, estuarine eelgrass meadows, saltmarsh, brackish marsh, seasonally flooded freshwater wetlands, riparian wetlands, streams, coastal dunes, and forest. These habitats support over 316 species of birds and 40 species of mammals. The majority of birds use the refuge as a stopover where they rest and replenish energy reserves. Others spend winter here, and some use the refuge for breeding and nesting. The wetlands around Humboldt Bay are critical to over half a million shorebirds during spring migration and have been designated a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Site of Hemispheric Importance. More than 50% of the Pacific brant goose population refuels on the eelgrass meadows growing in the shallow parts of Humboldt Bay. The refuge also provides habitat for approximately 100 species of fish and marine invertebrates, many of which contribute to sport and commercial fisheries, including steelhead, coho and chinook salmon, and Dungeness crab. Volunteers are very important to the refuge's success. Volunteers work alongside refuge staff and partners on virtually all refuge programs including interpretation and environmental education, wildlife and habitat monitoring and management activities, office assistance, maintenance and special events. To find out more about how you can get involved, contact us at 707-733-5406T Volunteer Application The Habitat Improvement Team meets the second Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Visitor Center, 1020 Ranch Road in Loleta. Help restore habitat by removing non-native plants and maintaining native plant areas. Bring gloves and drinking water. Tools and snacks provided. During the COVID-19 pandemic participants must practice social distancing and wear a face mask. Our website is https://www.fws.gov/refuge/humboldt-bay, contact email is FW8_HumboldtBayNWR@fws.gov, contact phone is 707-733-5406T