Friends of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge - About Us
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Bitterroot River nestled between the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountain ranges, two miles north of historic Stevensville Montana.
Click on the Map for directions
Click on the Map for directions
The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southwestern region of the U.S. state of Montana. Renamed after the late U.S. Senator Lee Metcalf from its original title in 1978, the refuge encompasses 2,800 acres. The refuge was primarily established to protect habitat for migratory bird species, but fish and mammals are also equally protected. 238 species of birds have been documented, with over 100 building active nesting areas on the refuge.
The Refuge's Wildlife Viewing Area consists of 160 acres of ponds, sloughs, and river bottom woodland. It includes two nature trails (.9 mi. and .7 mi.), and a half-mile, paved, wheelchair-accessible trail from the parking lot to the picnic area. The viewing area is equipped with a wildlife viewing and fishing structure, outdoor restroom facilities, benches, and information kiosk.
The Refuge's Wildlife Viewing Area consists of 160 acres of ponds, sloughs, and river bottom woodland. It includes two nature trails (.9 mi. and .7 mi.), and a half-mile, paved, wheelchair-accessible trail from the parking lot to the picnic area. The viewing area is equipped with a wildlife viewing and fishing structure, outdoor restroom facilities, benches, and information kiosk.
Visitors can enjoy wildlife observation, photography, hunting, fishing, environmental education and interpretation on the Refuge. There are 2.5 miles of trails, including .25 mile paved path in the Refuge's Wildlife Viewing Area. These trails go through meadows and woodlands along the Bitterroot River. Wildfowl Lane, a county road stretches through the Refuge providing scenic views of the surrounding landscape and abundant opportunities to view wildlife.
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is by the Bitterroot River in the scenic and historic Bitterroot Valley of western Montana. Surrounded by the picturesque Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountain Ranges, the Refuge offers spectacular viewing opportunities of the landscape and wildlife.
Designated in 1963, the Refuge was created to provide habitats for migratory birds.
Its 2,800 acres of lush riparian and wetland habitats attract a variety of wildlife. There are 238 species of birds, 37 species of mammals, and 17 species of reptiles and amphibians that can be found on the Refuge.
Its 2,800 acres of lush riparian and wetland habitats attract a variety of wildlife. There are 238 species of birds, 37 species of mammals, and 17 species of reptiles and amphibians that can be found on the Refuge.
Be sure to look for the following birds
loons, pelicans, great blue herons, snowy egrets, spoonbills, trumpeter swans, bald and golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, doves, burrowing owls, nighthawks, hummingbirds, kingfishers, swallows, larks, chickadees, starlings, sparrows, finches, gyrfalcons and snowy owls.
loons, pelicans, great blue herons, snowy egrets, spoonbills, trumpeter swans, bald and golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, doves, burrowing owls, nighthawks, hummingbirds, kingfishers, swallows, larks, chickadees, starlings, sparrows, finches, gyrfalcons and snowy owls.
Keep an eye out for mammals, reptiles, and amphibians
vagrant shrews, hoary bats, Townsend's big-eared bats, Columbian ground squirrels, Northern Flying Squirrels, coyotes, gray wolves, red fox, black bears, Northern River Otters, mountain lions, elk, mule and white-tailed deer, moose, long-toed salamanders, Pacific tree frogs, bullfrogs, soft-shell turtles, snapping turtles, and garter snakes.
vagrant shrews, hoary bats, Townsend's big-eared bats, Columbian ground squirrels, Northern Flying Squirrels, coyotes, gray wolves, red fox, black bears, Northern River Otters, mountain lions, elk, mule and white-tailed deer, moose, long-toed salamanders, Pacific tree frogs, bullfrogs, soft-shell turtles, snapping turtles, and garter snakes.
2010 Friends of Lee Metcalf NWR Board
Paul Hayes
Board President
Paul.Hayes@friendsofleemetcalf.com
Jim Hamilton
Board Vice-President
Jim.Hamilton@friendsofleemetcalf.com
Secretary
To Be Determined
Fred Thomas
Board Treasurer
Fred.Thomas@friendsofleemetcalf.com
Chris Fox
Webmaster
Chris.Fox@friendsofleemetcalf.com
Paul Hayes
Board President
Paul.Hayes@friendsofleemetcalf.com
Jim Hamilton
Board Vice-President
Jim.Hamilton@friendsofleemetcalf.com
Secretary
To Be Determined
Fred Thomas
Board Treasurer
Fred.Thomas@friendsofleemetcalf.com
Chris Fox
Webmaster
Chris.Fox@friendsofleemetcalf.com
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Friends of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
4567 Wildfowl Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870 (406) 777-5552
4567 Wildfowl Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870 (406) 777-5552
