Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
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| Location | Genesee and Orleans counties, New York, United States |
| Nearest city | Batavia, New York |
| Coordinates | 43°07′N 78°21′W / 43.117°N 78.350°WCoordinates: 43°07′N 78°21′W / 43.117°N 78.350°W |
| Area | 10,828 acres (43.82 km2) |
| Established | May 19, 1958 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge |
The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge in Genesee and Orleans counties in western New York. The refuge is located between the cities of Buffalo and Rochester and is operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
The refuge headquarters and visitor center are located at 1101 Casey Road in Alabama, New York. The Orleans County portion of the refuge lies in the town of Shelby.
The refuge was created in 1958 as the Oak Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, however the name was soon changed to avoid confusion with the similarly named Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area, a state-owned conservation area adjacent to the federal refuge at its eastern boundary. Both areas, along with the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, located on the western side of the federal land, are used not only as stopping points for waterfowl and other migratory birds, but also to provide habitat for a variety of other animals. All three areas constitute the Alabama Swamp Complex. Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service while Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas are managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The 10,828-acre (43.82 km2) refuge encompasses several large pools (separated by dikes), swamps, meadows, fields, and woodlands. There are four overlooks and four trails that are open throughout the year. All areas of the refuge, except the nature trails, overlooks, and fishing areas, are closed from March 1 to October 1 to protect nesting birds and other wildlife. Each year at least one of the large pools is drained to allow restoration of the wetland. The refuge has been designated as an important bird area (IBA) because it is a key resting spot for birds when they are migrating.
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