The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge was established in
1975 under authority of the Endangered Species Act to protect the critically
endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and their unique, and itself
endangered, wet pine savanna habitat.

The crane population, at that time only 30-35 birds, is currently at
approximately 200 birds. Through captive rearing and reintroduction to the
area as well as wild birds nesting in the savannas, the crane population
continues to grow.

The refuge also protects and restores the last large expanses of wet pine
savanna, primarily through the use of prescribed fire. The wet pine savanna is
one of the most diverse ecosystems in the U.S. with more than 30 plants found
in a square meter of land.

The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975 under authority of the Endangered Species Act to protect the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and their unique, and itself endangered, wet pine savanna habitat.The crane population, at that time only 30-35 birds, is currently at approximately 200 birds. Through captive rearing and reintroduction to the area as well as wild birds nesting in the savannas, the crane population continues to grow.The refuge also protects and restores the last large expanses of wet pine savanna, primarily through the use of prescribed fire. The wet pine savanna is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the U.S. with more than 30 plants found in a square meter of land.

Bird's eye view of the park

Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge

Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a study in transition. Here, the
waterlogged wet pine savannas give way to the marshes, freshwater streams, and
bayous of the Escatawpa River system. Slowly these fresh water systems system
wind their way toward the Mississippi Sound and ultimately the Gulf of
America. Neither fresh nor salt, the brackish waters and marshes found
throughout much of the refuge serve as a home and nursery to numerous
different fish, fowl, and flora.Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located
in coastal Mississippi and Alabama. The refuge was established in 1992 to help
protect one of the largest remaining expanses of Gulf Coast wet pine savanna
habitat. With only 3% of wet pine savanna remaining across its originally
range, it is considered an endangered habitat.The 10,188 acre refuge partially
overlays the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Together, they
protect nearly 18,000 acres of relatively undisturbed wildlife habitat.In
addition to the wet pine savanna, other refuge habitats include maritime
forest, tidal and non-tidal wetlands, salt marshes, salt pans, bays and
bayous.These numerous and varying habitats provide a unique opportunity to
view the diverse numbers of species that make their home here.  
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<table><tbody><tr><td> Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a study in transition. Here, the waterlogged wet pine savannas give way to the marshes, freshwater streams, and bayous of the Escatawpa River system. Slowly these fresh water systems system wind their way toward the Mississippi Sound and ultimately the Gulf of America. Neither fresh nor salt, the brackish waters and marshes found throughout much of the refuge serve as a home and nursery to numerous different fish, fowl, and flora.Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in coastal Mississippi and Alabama. The refuge was established in 1992 to help protect one of the largest remaining expanses of Gulf Coast wet pine savanna habitat. With only 3% of wet pine savanna remaining across its originally range, it is considered an endangered habitat.The 10,188 acre refuge partially overlays the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Together, they protect nearly 18,000 acres of relatively undisturbed wildlife habitat.In addition to the wet pine savanna, other refuge habitats include maritime forest, tidal and non-tidal wetlands, salt marshes, salt pans, bays and bayous.These numerous and varying habitats provide a unique opportunity to view the diverse numbers of species that make their home here. </td></tr></tbody></table>

Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge

The Grand Bay Reserve is one of the most biologically productive estuarine
ecosystems in the northern Gulf of Mexico and includes part of the Grand Bay
National Wildlife Refuge. Located between Pascagoula, MS and the Alabama state
line, the Reserve's habitats support rare and endangered plant and animal
species, important marine fisheries and archeological sites. The 18,400 acre
Reserve encompasses black needle rush marshes, maritime pine forests, pine
savanna, salt pannes, and pitcher plant bogs. Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphin
and manatees can be found in the deeper waters of the reserve. Many species of
carnivorous plants and orchids are present in the higher savanna habitats. Its
productive oyster reefs and seagrass beds serve as nursery areas for important
marine species, such as shrimp, blue crab, speckled trout and red fish. The
Nature Conservancy has dedicated the area as one of its Last Great Places in
America.

The Grand Bay Reserve is one of the most biologically productive estuarine ecosystems in the northern Gulf of Mexico and includes part of the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Located between Pascagoula, MS and the Alabama state line, the Reserve's habitats support rare and endangered plant and animal species, important marine fisheries and archeological sites.  The 18,400 acre Reserve encompasses black needle rush marshes, maritime pine forests, pine savanna, salt pannes, and pitcher plant bogs.  Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphin and manatees can be found in the deeper waters of the reserve. Many species of carnivorous plants and orchids are present in the higher savanna habitats.  Its productive oyster reefs and seagrass beds serve as nursery areas for important marine species, such as shrimp, blue crab, speckled trout and red fish. The Nature Conservancy has dedicated the area as one of its Last Great Places in America.

Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge

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Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve