U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Quivira

National Wildlife 

Refuge

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

1434 NE 80th Street

Stafford, KS 67578-9532

620 / 486 2393 

quivira@fws.gov

http://quivira.fws.gov

For State transfer relay service 

TTY / Voice: 711

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

http://www.fws.gov

For Refuge Information 

1 800 / 344 WILD 

May 2008

Long-billed Dowitcher

© Bob Gress 

QuiviraGB.indd 2-3 5/7/2008 12:58:29 PM
About the Refuge Quivira National Wildlife Refuge 

(NWR) located in south-central 

Kansas, lies in an area where the 

eastern and western prairies meet 

and blend. In 1955, the Migratory 

Bird Commission approved the 

purchase of land to create the 

Refuge, thus providing food, water, 

and nesting areas for migratory 

waterfowl in this area of Kansas. 

Quivira NWR is one of over 

545 refuges in the National Wildlife 

Refuge System – a network of lands 

set aside and managed by the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service specifically 

for wildlife. The Refuge System 

is a living heritage, conserving 

wildlife and habitat for people today 

and for generations to come.

A Place Known The name “Quivira” comes from a 

for Wildlife Native American tribe living in the 

area when the Spanish explorer, 

Coronado, visited in 1541. In quest of 

gold, treasures, and the fabled 

“Seven Cities of Cibola,” he found 

instead fertile grasslands, abundant 

wildlife, and small agricultural 

villages. The Native Americans, and 

later, the early settlers, hunted 

waterfowl in these marshes. Shortly 

after the turn of the century, 

commercial hunting provided wagon 

loads of waterfowl to Kansas City 

restaurants and other eastern cities. 

With the decline of commercial 

hunting came the establishment of 

hunting clubs. The lands bought up by 

these clubs helped preserve valuable 

waterfowl habitat from further 

development. Moreover, these 

hunting clubs worked to improve the 

habitat to attract migrating birds. 

Canals and water control structures 

were later added, providing the entire 

area with a more dependable water 

supply. Today, these marshlands 

remain a major stopover for 

thousands of migrating birds.

For untold years, the 

Big and Little Salt 

Marshes of Quivira 

National Wildlife 

Refuge have attracted 

thousands of migratory 

waterfowl, providing 

them with food, cover, 

and a place to rest 

during their long flights

between breeding and 

wintering areas.

This goose, 

designed by J.N. 

“Ding” Darling, 

has become the 

symbol of the 

National Wildlife 

Refuge System.

© Bob Gress

QuiviraGB.indd 4-5 5/7/2008 12:58:30 PM
Wildlife Located where the relatively lush 

Throughout vegetation of the east blends into 

the Seasons the more arid grasslands of the west, 

Quivira NWR supports numerous 

and varied plant communities. This 

variety of plant communities attracts 

birds common to both eastern and 

western North America. Over 300 

bird species have been observed on 

the Refuge. 

Fall Flights Thousands of Canada geese, ducks, 

and other migratory birds, such as 

sandhill cranes and shorebirds, pass 

through the Refuge from September 

to December. The shallow west edge 

of the Big Salt Marsh is a favorite 

roosting area for the sandhill cranes. 

Endangered whooping cranes may 

make a brief visit as they move along 

their migration routes from midOctober through November. This is 

the best time to view these rare 

visitors. The whooping cranes may 

make a return visit in mid-March 

through mid-April on their way north 

to nesting areas. 

Winter and Bald and golden eagles winter on the 

Spring Visitors Refuge from November until March. 

Over 800,000 ducks and geese visit 

the Refuge until severe weather 

drives them southward to winter 

along the Gulf Coast and in Mexico. 

During March and April, the Refuge 

becomes a staging area once again for 

ducks, geese, shorebirds, American 

white pelicans, gulls, and other 

migrants en route to traditional 

nesting grounds in the prairie 

potholes of the north-central United 

States and Canada.

Summer Summer residents include Swainson’s 

Residents hawks and Mississippi kites, while 

northern harriers, American kestrels, 

and red-tailed hawks are common 

throughout the year. Ring-necked 

pheasants and bobwhite quail are 

often seen in the Refuge grasslands 

and grain fields. Look for wild turkey 

along the edge of tree groves and 

shelter belts where they often seek 

food and cover. 

© Bob Gress

© Bob Gress

Sandhill cranes

silhouetted at

sunset.

American white

pelicans in the

marsh.

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Common summer nesting species on 

the Refuge include snowy plovers, 

American avocets, black-necked 

stilts, and white-faced ibis. In 

addition, a colony of endangered 

least terns use the salt flats at the 

north end of the Refuge as nesting 

habitat. Other wildlife frequently 

seen on the Refuge include whitetailed deer, black-tailed prairie 

dogs, beaver, raccoons, badgers, 

and coyotes. Bird watchers can pick 

up a Refuge bird list containing 

more detailed information at 

the Refuge headquarters.

Managing Land Quivira NWR is managed primarily 

for Wildlife - to provide migratory waterfowl 

the Work of with food, water, and shelter. 

the Refuge Other migratory birds, endangered 

species, and resident wildlife, 

such as deer and pheasant, also 

benefit from habitat management 

programs. Primary habitat 

management programs conducted 

on the Refuge include cooperative 

farming, grazing, prescribed 

burning, and water control.

Farming for In the cooperative farming 

Wildlife program, crops are planted on 

the Refuge by local farmers who 

work on a share basis. Over 1,300 

acres are planted with crops to 

provide food for migrating birds 

and resident wildlife. The fields 

are rotated between winter wheat 

and milo, with cow peas planted 

periodically to enrich the soil.

The farmers harvest their twothirds share of the milo, leaving 

the Refuge share standing in 

the field as food for wildlife. 

Wheat fields are completely 

harvested, with the farmers 

receiving a three-quarters share. 

The remaining quarter of the 

harvest is left on the Refuge 

as food and cover for wildlife. 

Migrating geese browse on the 

tender young shoots of wheat 

growing in these harvested fields. 

Grazing Now Historically, great herds of bison 

and Then grazed the grasslands of this area. 

They would graze an area only 

for a short time, then move on, 

thus allowing the native grasses 

to regrow and continue the cycle. 

Since bison no longer roam the 

Great Plains, Quivira NWR 

imitates this natural cycle of high 

intensity grazing over a short 

period of time with cattle. Through 

this management program, local 

ranchers are permitted to graze 

their cattle on the Refuge, but only 

in specially chosen areas for short 

periods of time, often no longer 

than a few days. Once grazed, 

the area is seldom used again 

during that season, thus allowing 

the plants to regrow. Grassland 

birds and animals feed, nest, and 

rest in these areas. Deliberate, 

well-planned controlled burns 

also improve the habitat for 

wildlife nesting and cover. 

Water for Twenty-one miles of canals and 

Wildlife numerous water control structures 

divert water to over 34 wetlands 

ranging in size from 10 to 1,500 acres

and totaling over 7,000 acres of 

marshlands. Through the use of 

these canals and water control 

structures, water management, 

either flooding or removing water 

from an area, allows the Refuge 

staff to influence the types of plants

that grow in the wetland. For 

example, by manipulating the water 

levels, large stands of cattails that 

have limited value to wildlife can be 

replaced by waterfowl food plants. 

Dave Hilley / USFWS© Bob Gress

Dave Hilley / USFWSDave Hilley / USFWS

Wild turkey 

(above left), 

black-tailed 

prairie dog 

(above right), 

white-tailed deer 

(middle), 

mallards 

(far right)

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Refuge Boundary

Paved Road Gravel RoadWildlife DriveFoot PathRefuge Headquartersand Visitor CenterParking

RestroomAccessible SitePhoto BlindHunting BlindWildlife Observation TowerFishing Area

BigSalt Marsh

LittleSaltMarsh

aR t

elt

ns ake

eer

C

k

North Lake

To Sterling 

17 mi.

4th St. Road

To Zenith & U.S. 50

To U.S. 281

& Stafford

To U.S. 281

13 mi.

484

636

Environmental EducationClassroom

To Hudson

Migrants MileNature Trail

Birdhouse Blvd.

Nature Trail

N

0

Miles

1.5

0

Kilometers

4321

 Kids' Fishing Pond

Little Salt Marsh

Photo Blind 

Raymond Road

To Hutchinson

28 mi.

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

Ellinwood

Zenith 

Hudson

Stafford

Not to Scale

St. John

Arkansas River

Spotting Scope

To U.S. 281

To U.S. 281

50

281

GreatBend Lyons

Sterling

56

158

14

4 Claflin Hoisington

Quivira 

NWR Wildlife 

Observation Tower

QuiviraGB.indd 11-13 5/7/2008 12:58:32 PM
Enjoying the Located in the Refuge Headquarters 

Refuge building, the visitor center is filled 

Visitor Center with hands-on displays for children 

and adults. The interpretive exhibits 

focus on the wildlife and habitats of 

the Refuge. A variety of wildlife 

mounts are also on display. 

Wildlife Spring and fall are the best seasons 

Observation to visit Quivira NWR since wildlife, 

especially waterfowl, is abundant and 

more easily viewed at these times. 

Try to schedule your visit early or 

late in the day when wildlife is most 

active and more frequently seen. 

Interpretive A 1.2-mile nature trail, the 

Nature Trails Migrants Mile, is located south of the

Environmental Education Classroom. 

It loops through shaded woodlands, 

along marshy edges, and through 

native grasslands. An elevated 

boardwalk takes you across a large 

marsh. A surfaced, accessible threequarter mile loop is also a part of the 

nature trail.

A 1,000-foot accessible trail, the 

Birdhouse Boulevard, is located on 

the west side of the Visitors Center 

parking area. A variety of birdhouses 

line this scenic trail.

Auto Tour Routes The 14-mile drive through the 

Refuge provides visitors many 

opportunities to pull over and view 

wildlife. 

The 4-mile Wildlife Drive at the 

north end of the Refuge offers 

wildlife watching opportunities and 

views of the Big Salt Marsh and 

surrounding habitats. An accessible 

spotting scope is provided to assist 

visitors in watching wildlife.

Observation An accessible wildlife observation 

Tower tower is located on the south edge of 

the Little Salt Marsh. This tower 

allows visitors to get a better view of 

the Refuge wildlife.

Wildlife Photography blinds are located at the

Photography Little Salt Marsh and on the Migrants

Mile nature trail. The photography 

blind on the Migrants Mile nature 

trail is accessible. Both blinds are 

available on a first-come, first-served 

basis. 

Environmental Guided tours are available for 

Education schools and other groups. Educators 

are encouraged to investigate one of 

the many different educational 

activities for field trips available at 

the Refuge. Please call the Refuge 

staff for more information or to 

schedule guided tours, field trips, 

and/or teacher workshops. 

 

Hunting Hunting is permitted on 8,000 acres 

of the Refuge. The hunting program 

is managed in accordance with State 

and Federal regulations. Only 

waterfowl, pheasants, quail, dove, 

snipe, rails, squirrels, and rabbits 

may be hunted on Quivira NWR. 

Special Refuge regulations also 

apply, as listed in the Quivira NWR 

hunting and fishing leaflet available 

at the Refuge visitor center. An 

accessible waterfowl hunting blind is 

available by reservation only. 

Fishing Fishing is permitted on the Refuge. 

The fishing program is managed in 

accordance with State and Federal 

regulations. Special Refuge regulations,

listed in the Quivira NWR hunting 

and fishing leaflet, also apply. An 

accessible fishing area is located on 

the north end of the Little Salt Marsh.

The “Kids Fishing Pond” is located 

west of the visitor center. This pond 

is reserved for kids 14 years and 

younger. An accompanying adult 

may fish with the youth. An accessible

pier is also located at this pond. 

QuiviraGB.indd 14-15 5/7/2008 12:58:32 PM
Refuge Although the following rules and 

Regulations regulations may seem inconvenient

or overly restrictive to some, they 

are necessary for the protection of 

wildlife and their habitats, and, in 

some instances, for the safety of 

visitors. By observing these rules, 

visitors will make the Refuge a 

better place for themselves and 

the wildlife they come to enjoy. 

Visiting Hours The Refuge is open to visitors from 

daylight to dark. The visitor center is 

open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday

through Friday, except on Federal 

holidays. 

Access and Motorized vehicles are permitted only

Parking on developed roads and parking areas. 

Driving off-road or on roads closed 

by signs or barriers is prohibited. 

Parking in front of gates, on bridges, 

or on water control structures is also 

prohibited.

Restrooms There are restrooms at the visitor 

center, inside the environmental 

education classroom building, and 

just outside the classroom building. 

All restrooms are fully accessible. 

Accessibility Equal opportunity to participate in and 

benefit from programs and activities 

of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

is available to all individuals regardless

of physical or mental ability. Dial 7-1-1 

for a free connection to the State 

transfer relay service for TTY and 

voice calls to and from the speech 

and hearing impaired. For more 

information or to address accessibility 

needs, please contact the Refuge 

staff at 620 / 486 2393, or the U.S. 

Department of the Interior, Office of 

Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, 

NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

Hiking All of the Refuge is open to hiking. 

Camping Overnight camping is not permitted. 

All visitors must leave the Refuge at 

the end of each day. 

Bicycling Bicycling is permitted on the Refuge, 

but is restricted to established roads 

and trails. Bicycles are prohibited on 

both interpretive nature trails. 

Horseback Horseback riding is permitted, but 

Riding for safety purposes, Refuge staff 

must be notified before any riding 

activities take place. Horses are 

restricted to established roads and 

trails. Horses are prohibited on both 

interpretive nature trails. 

Boating The use of boats and canoes is not 

allowed on the Refuge. 

Fires No fires of any type are permitted 

within the Refuge.

Firearms The possession of firearms is 

prohibited except as authorized 

during the hunting season.

Littering Littering is prohibited on the 

Refuge. Please remove all trash from 

the Refuge.

Nearby Gas, food, and lodging can be found in 

Accommodations the nearby communities of Stafford, 

Sterling, Hutchinson, and Great Bend. 

Refuge Signs and Refuge Boundary - 

Their Meaning Authorized entry only.

Public Hunting Area - 

Area behind this sign 

open to hunting.

No Hunting Zone - 

Area behind this sign 

closed to all hunting.

Non-toxic Shot Zone - 

Non-toxic shot must be 

used for all hunting.

QuiviraGB.indd 16-17 5/7/2008 12:58:32 PM
Would You The Friends of Quivira is a 

Like To Help? nonprofit group established in

Friends 1998 to assist the Refuge with 

of Quivira their environmental education 

 and stewardship goals. This group 

sponsors and volunteers at 

educational events held throughout 

the year. Some annual events 

include: the “Peeps and Pastries” 

birding tour; “Fathers’ Day Out,”

 a father and child event; the Kids’ 

Fishing Clinic; “Monarch Mania,” 

 a butterfly tagging event; and a 

week-long celebration of National 

Wildlife Refuge Week. For more 

information about the Friends of 

Quivira, contact:

 Friends of Quivira

 c/o Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

 1434 NE 80th Street 

 Stafford, KS 67578-8818

Gary Meggers

USFWS

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