Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge

Overview

Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, located in Carteret County, North Carolina is on the end of a peninsula marking the southern end of Pamlico Sound. The refuge lies five miles West of the Atlantic ocean and about 40 miles northeast of Beaufort, North Carolina. Established in 1964, the refuge consists of approximately 11,000 acres of irregularly-flooded, brackish marsh and 3,480 acres of pocosin and woodland habitat. The dominant marsh plants include black needlerush, saltmarsh cordgrass, saltmeadow hay, and saltgrass. The woodland areas are dominated by loblolly, longleaf and pond pine. Live oak is also abundant on some upland sites. The marsh and surrounding waters provide wintering habitat for thousands of ducks and nesting habitat for colonial waterbirds.

Refuge Objectives
* Provide habitat and protection for endangered species such as American alligators and brown pelicans.
* Provide habitat and protection for migratory waterfowl and other birds.
* Provide wildlife-related recreation and environmental education for the public.

Down East Community Assets Map
updated 03/2012 by Down East Ocracoke Hatteras North Carolina