Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association - WWRA

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Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association - WWRA

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Promote the conservation of natural resources on the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, foster understanding and appreciation of the refuge.

The Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association was established in July of 1998 in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its purpose is to " promote conservation, awareness, and appreciation of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (Decatur, AL) and to provide assistance to environmental education programs and other conservation efforts on the Refuge”. Our operations and activities are managed by an all-volunteer board of directors and committees.

10/14/2026

Morgan County Master Gardeners Assocation visited Wheeler yesterday and took a guided tour of the refuge.

10/12/2026

Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge!

National Wildlife Refuge Week is a time to get outside, reconnect with nature, and celebrate the wild places that belong to us all. Here in North Alabama, we are fortunate to call Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge home—Alabama’s largest national wildlife refuge and a vital sanctuary for the state’s largest wintering concentrations of waterfowl and sandhill cranes.

It is fitting that we celebrate our refuges at this time of year. At Wheeler, October is a season of return, when the rhythms of migration begin to stir the landscape with renewed life. The first wave of winter visitors is arriving, bringing with it the promise of another remarkable season. American white pelicans have already begun gathering at White Springs, and the unmistakable calls of sandhill cranes will soon echo across the refuge as they return to their winter home.

Each returning flock reminds us why these protected places matter—not only for the wildlife that depends on them, but also for the people who find inspiration, wonder, and a sense of connection in the natural world.

National Wildlife Refuge Week celebrates Wheeler and the more than 500 national wildlife refuges across the country that protect vulnerable species, conserve essential habitats, and preserve the natural treasures that make our nation unique.

So, get outside this week and experience the beauty of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Bring your camera, take a walk, watch the skies, or simply enjoy a quiet moment surrounded by nature. Then come back here and share your photos and stories with us.

10/11/2026

See the last known locations of Whooping Cranes in the Eastern Migratory Population, shown at the county level.

10/10/2026

Today is World Migratory Bird Day celebrating one of nature’s most remarkable wonders: the incredible journeys birds make across continents, following ancient migration routes in search of food, suitable nesting grounds, and warmer climates.

Here in north Alabama, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge plays an important role in this global journey. The refuge provides vital resting, feeding, and wintering habitat for thousands of migratory birds. During the colder months, its wetlands and open waters welcome large numbers of waterfowl, including Canada geese, mallards, and the spectacular sandhill cranes. Bald eagles and many other bird species also benefit from the refuge’s protected habitats.

For birds traveling hundreds or even thousands of miles, places like Wheeler NWR are more than beautiful landscapes. They are essential stopping points where exhausted travelers can rest and replenish their energy before continuing their journeys. The refuge’s wetlands, forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields provide the food and shelter these birds need to survive.

At Wheeler NWR, every migrating flock tells a story of endurance, instinct, and survival. By protecting this special place, we help ensure that future generations can witness the wonder of migration—and that birds traveling across the continent will always have a place to rest along the way.

Every bird that stops at Wheeler is part of a much bigger story: a journey that connects our local wetlands to the world.

10/07/2026

The Common Gallinule is our Wildlife of the Week. It is a medium-sized waterbird easily recognized by its dark slate-gray and brownish body, white flank stripes, and a striking bright red bill with a yellow tip that extends into a red "shield" on its forehead. They have long toes adapted for walking on floating vegetation rather than webbed feet.

They are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet includes aquatic plants, seeds, algae, insects, snails, and small tadpoles. They often flip over floating leaves with their feet to unearth hidden aquatic invertebrates.

They thrive in freshwater marshes, densely vegetated ponds, slow-moving rivers, and shallow lake edges loaded with cattails, reeds, and water lilies. They are often spotted in Blackwell Swamp on the refuge.

These birds form monogamous pairs. They construct a bulky, shallow bowl-shaped nest out of grasses and reeds, usually hidden within thick emergent vegetation just above the water's surface. Females lay clutches of 6 to 15 eggs.

While the refuge is most famous for hosting thousands of wintering waterfowl, its rich freshwater marshes also serve as important seasonal and breeding habitat for marsh-loving birds like the common gallinule.

Common Gallinules are notoriously reluctant flyers. When startled or pressed by danger, they much prefer to escape by running swiftly across floating lily pads, diving underwater, or slipping quietly into thick vegetation rather than taking to the air. When they do fly, their flight looks heavy and labored, with their dangling legs trailing behind them.

(Photos of Common Gallinules in Blackwell Swamp by Tom Ress)

10/03/2026

We're also looking forward to having Chris Blankenship at the FOC 2027! Check back soon for more details

Address

3121 Visitor Center Road
Decatur, AL

Website

http://www.friendsofwheelernwr.org/

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