Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge is the central refuge of the three (along with Flattery Rocks
and Copalis
) which make up the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, a group of 870 island
s, rocks, and reef
s extending for more than 100 miles along Washington's coast from Cape Flattery to Copalis Beach
. These islands are protected from human disturbance, yet are close to abundant ocean food sources.
They are a vital sanctuary where 14 species of seabird
s nest and raise their young. During migration the total populations of seabirds, waterfowl
, and shorebirds may exceed a million birds. Sea lion
s, harbor seal
s, sea otter
s, and whale
s may also be seen around the islands.
The refuge was originally created as Quillayute Needles Reservation on October 23, 1907, by an executive order from Theodore Roosevelt
. It encompassed the islands off the Washington coast between latitudes 47° 38′ North, and 48° 02′ North. It was renamed by a presidential proclamation on July 25, 1940. In 1966, James Island
was removed from the reservation as it was discovered to be part of the Quileute Indian Reservation.
The refuge is within the boundary of Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
and Olympic National Park
, and except for Destruction Island is also incorporated into the Washington Islands Wilderness
. The three agencies cooperate on research programs and other issues that may have impacts on the resources.
Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge
Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge is the northernmost of the three refuges which make up the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, a group of 870 islands, rocks, and reefs extending for more than 100 miles along Washington's coast from Cape Flattery to Copalis Beach...
and Copalis
Copalis National Wildlife Refuge
Copalis National Wildlife Refuge is the southernmost of the three refuges which make up the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, a group of 870 islands, rocks, and reefs extending for more than 100 miles along Washington's coast from Cape Flattery to Copalis Beach...
) which make up the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, a group of 870 island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
s, rocks, and reef
Reef
In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water ....
s extending for more than 100 miles along Washington's coast from Cape Flattery to Copalis Beach
Copalis Beach, Washington
Copalis Beach is a census-designated place in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 415 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Copalis Beach is located at ....
. These islands are protected from human disturbance, yet are close to abundant ocean food sources.
They are a vital sanctuary where 14 species of seabird
Seabird
Seabirds are birds that have adapted to life within the marine environment. While seabirds vary greatly in lifestyle, behaviour and physiology, they often exhibit striking convergent evolution, as the same environmental problems and feeding niches have resulted in similar adaptations...
s nest and raise their young. During migration the total populations of seabirds, waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
, and shorebirds may exceed a million birds. Sea lion
Sea Lion
Sea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear-flaps, long fore-flippers, the ability to walk on all fours, and short thick hair. Together with the fur seal, they comprise the family Otariidae, or eared seals. There are six extant and one extinct species in five genera...
s, harbor seal
Harbor Seal
The harbor seal , also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere...
s, sea otter
Sea Otter
The sea otter is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg , making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals...
s, and whale
Whale
Whale is the common name for various marine mammals of the order Cetacea. The term whale sometimes refers to all cetaceans, but more often it excludes dolphins and porpoises, which belong to suborder Odontoceti . This suborder also includes the sperm whale, killer whale, pilot whale, and beluga...
s may also be seen around the islands.
The refuge was originally created as Quillayute Needles Reservation on October 23, 1907, by an executive order from Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
. It encompassed the islands off the Washington coast between latitudes 47° 38′ North, and 48° 02′ North. It was renamed by a presidential proclamation on July 25, 1940. In 1966, James Island
James Island (Washington)
James Island is one of the San Juan Islands in San Juan County, Washington, USA. It lies in Rosario Strait just off the eastern shore of Decatur Island, and west of the city of Anacortes. The entire island comprises James Island State Park of the Washington State Park System...
was removed from the reservation as it was discovered to be part of the Quileute Indian Reservation.
The refuge is within the boundary of Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
The Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is one of 14 marine sanctuaries administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is located along the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state...
and Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is located in the U.S. state of Washington, in the Olympic Peninsula. The park can be divided into four basic regions: the Pacific coastline, alpine areas, the west side temperate rainforest and the forests of the drier east side. U.S...
, and except for Destruction Island is also incorporated into the Washington Islands Wilderness
Washington Islands Wilderness
Washington Islands Wilderness is a protected area consisting of more than 600 islands, rocks, and reefs belonging to the three Washington Islands National Wildlife Refuges in Washington state...
. The three agencies cooperate on research programs and other issues that may have impacts on the resources.
See also
- Map of the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex