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Welcome

Comprehensive Conservation Plan:

On December 28, 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the final comprehensive conservation plan and environmental impact statement for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The 15-year plan for managing the refuge’s wildlife conservation and public use programs is available for review for 30 days. Learn more

Next steps for marsh restoration

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Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or any other management purpose, expressly for migratory birds. It is located on the west shore of Delaware Bay, approximately 22 miles southeast of Dover, the State capital, and 64 miles southeast of Wilmington, Delaware.

The refuge is considered to have one of the best existing wetland habitat areas along the Atlantic Coast. These habitats have become important stop-over sites for spring and fall migrating shorebirds and wading birds. Endangered and threatened species management activities provide habitat for the Delmarva fox squirrel, nesting bald eagles and migrating peregrine falcons.  Neotropical land birds passing through utilize the refuge's upland forested habitat during the fall and spring. The refuge's 10,000 acres are a diverse landscape featuring freshwater and salt marshes, woodlands, grasslands, scrub-brush habitats, ponds, bottomland forested areas, a 7-mile long creek, and agricultural lands. These cover types provide habitat for approximately 296 species of birds, 38 species of reptiles and amphibians and 37 different mammals.

Public use at Prime Hook provides compatible wildlife-oriented recreational opportunities. Since the signing of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, appropriate public uses of the Refuge System include six major wildlife-dependent recreational uses and are: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and environmental interpretation.

The Refuge is open 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

Refuge News & Updates Next Steps For Marsh Restoration Press Release: Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan Released - December 28, 2012 Impacts to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge from Hurricane Sandy -- November 9, 2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Hiking Trail Update - November 2, 2012 Press Release: Closure of Portions of Prime Hook Creek (pdf-57KB) NEW - Prime Hook Birding Field Trip - Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 8:00AM NEW - 2013 Delaware Junior Duck Stamp Competition - March 23, 2013 at 1:00PM at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Auditorium) NEW - Lecture Series Program: Edible & Medicinal Wild Plants by Dr. Susan Yost of the Claude E. Phillips Herbarium at Delaware State University - March 14 @ 7PM (pdf-65KB) Press Release: Prime Hook Nature Photography Contest People's Choice Winner Named (pdf-34KB) Fact Sheet: A Changing Wetland Ecosystem (pdf-194KB) Dune Repair Project - Updated December 28, 2012 Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Marsh & Monitoring Network Watch our four-part series on YouTube about the Prime Hook Environmental Assessment

Important reminder to refuge visitors... To protect wildlife and their habitat and to provide the best opportunities in wildlife observation and photography, it is important not to disturb, injure, or damage plants and animals on the refuge.  In fact, it is a prohibited act as stated in 50 CFR 27.51.  This disturbance includes flushing birds and other wildlife or using electronic calls (or called “taping”) to lure birds closer for observation or photography.  Please remember to take only memories and photographs and leave only footprints.