Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Location: Mississippi/Alabama

Disappearing Wet Pine Savanna Under Attack

The Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge located in coastal Mississippi and Alabama, preserves one of the largest remaining blocks of wet pine savanna, a critically endangered ecosystem. The refuge supports a variety of other habitat types including mixed hardwoods and estuarine salt marshes.

Only 3 – 5% of the original wet pine savanna area remains today. Now these precious grounds that are already one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America are threatened by oil that is coming ashore.

Grand Bay NWR's habitat diversity makes it a haven for several species of migratory birds, waterfowl, amphibians, and reptiles. Threatened and endangered species in the refuge include the gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpecker, and brown pelican. The southern portion of the refuge supports a rich fishery that includes the spotted seatrout, red drum, flounder, blue crab, and shrimp.