Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Join us from 10:00-11:00 on Tuesday, August 4 at the refuge visitor center for a brief presentation about the owls of Alabama and then make your own owl to take home!

Calling all families! Join us on Tuesday, August 4 at 10:00 AM at the Wheeler NWR Visitor Center to celebrate International Owl Awareness Day! We'll learn a little about the owls that call Alabama home and do some crafting to build your own owl to take home!

The International Crane Foundation is accepting applications for a seasonal Outreach Program Assistant who would take a leading role in ICF's Whooping Crane outreach program in Alabama this coming fall and winter.

For more information and to apply, visit:
https://savingcranes.org/careers/

In observance of the Independence Day Holiday, the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and Wildlife Observation Building will be closed on Friday, July 3.

The Visitor Center buildings will be back open on Saturday, July 4 from 9:00-4:00.

While enjoying the refuge, stay hydrated and be aware that summer thunderstorms can develop unexpectedly while you're out on the trail.

This summer's Storywalk is up at the Atkeson Cypress Trail near the Wheeler NWR Visitor Center! It's open to visitors during our normal business hours, Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00-4:00 (buildings will be closed on Friday 6/19 and 7/3, but grounds will remain open on those dates).

More information can be found at: https://mydpl.org/event/dpls-storywalk-at-wheeler-national-wildlife-refuge-2/2026-06-14/

TRAIL CLOSURE:

The Beaverdam Boardwalk sustained damage due to two large trees that fell during the storms on Monday, June 1. For your safety, the trail will be closed until work crews are able to remove the trees and make repairs to the boardwalk. The trail could be closed for several weeks.

NEW SEASONAL WATERFOWL SANCTUARY: We’re pleased to share that Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama will be creating a 335-acre waterfowl sanctuary starting November 15, 2026 through February 28, 2027. This seasonal sanctuary is designed to give wintering waterfowl a peaceful, protected space during one of the most important times of the year. By reducing human disturbance, we’re helping these birds thrive and making your visits even more rewarding for photography, wildlife viewing, and nature appreciation. While a one-mile stretch of road through the Buckeye-Thorsen Arm Unit between HGH Road and JTT Road will be seasonally closed to all public entry, bikers and hikers still have access around the north side of the impoundment, including 20 miles of roads and trails in the surrounding area and 70 miles throughout Wheeler NWR.

More information about the new waterfowl sanctuary will be forthcoming in the 2026-2027 Wheeler NWR Hunting Regulations & Permit, our general regulations brochure, and on the Wheeler NWR website. (All of these documents we anticipate being updated and available by late July).

If you have any questions, we’re happy to help. Just email us at [email protected]. We appreciate your support and look forward to making your experience better!

Congratulations to Ashlynne Au! Her painting of a hooded merganser won the best-of-show for the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest in Alabama this year.

To view the best-of-show from other states visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/albums/72177720333159628/with/55213626669

Later in May and June the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place artwork for Alabama will be on display at the Alabama Center for the Arts!

More information about the K-12 art contest can be found at: https://www.fws.gov/program/junior-duck-stamp/junior-duck-stamp-contest-information

Alabama Extension is offering a webinar on Invasive Plants and what you can do to help!

💚 We are celebrating the impact of Alabama Extension by highlighting the ways we serve our communities every day. As part of the celebration, we are hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, April 14, for the 2026 Year of Alabama Invasive Plants project.

Join us online to learn how you can help protect our native habitats and take action against invasive species in your own backyard. Extension Week is all about sharing knowledge and we hope to see you there! 🌿

Sign up here: https://au-academics.my.salesforce-sites.com/pmtx/evt__SiteEventDetail?id=a1RUg000001JsNV