Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Desert vegetation near the eastern edge of the refuge
Location	Humboldt and Washoe counties, Nevada
Nearest city	Lakeview, Oregon
Coordinates	41°48′00″N 119°12′04″W / 41.7998937°N 119.2010306°W / 41.7998937; -119.2010306Coordinates: 41°48′00″N 119°12′04″W / 41.7998937°N 119.2010306°W / 41.7998937; -119.2010306
Area	573,504 acres (232,089 ha)
Established	1931 (1931)
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Sheldon NWR

The Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is a 573,504-acre (232,089 ha) national wildlife refuge on the northern border of the U.S. state of Nevada. A very small part extends northward into Oregon. It is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as the Nevada component of the Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which is headquartered in Lakeview, Oregon. The Sheldon Refuge is noted for its population of wild horses.

In 1931, the refuge was established under executive order to carry out three central goals: First, the refuge was to provide a habitat for the "antelope" (more properly called the pronghorn), an animal whose population was in decline during the early 1900s. Second, conservation efforts were put forth to protect native fish, wildlife and plants. Finally, the refuge was to serve as an inviolate migratory bird sanctuary.

Advocates characterize Sheldon as one of the few intact sagebrush steppe ecosystems in the Great Basin, one that hosts a variety of wildlife endemic to the unique environment. Desert fishes, greater sage-grouse, migratory birds, mule deer and the pygmy rabbit are all residents.

The Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge occupies an arid zone of volcanic terrain. Rockhounds search for semiprecious stones such as fire opals. Geothermal hot springs provide some water. The dominant ecosystem plant life consists of drought-tolerant species such as sagebrush, juniper, mountain mahogany, bitterbrush and aspen. The elevation ranges from 4,100 feet (1,200 m) to 7,200 feet (2,200 m) above sea level.