Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Humboldt Bay NWR is located on Humboldt Bay on the northwest California coast near Arcata. The refuge protects wetlands and bay habitats for migratory birds, especially black brant. The refuge includes the Lanphere Dunes, one of the most pristine remaining dune ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. The refuge also administers Castle Rock NWR, a 14-acre island located less than a mile off the California coast, which contains the largest breeding population of common murres in California and provides a roost for Aleutian Canada geese during migration. The main reason for these waterbird concentrations are the eelgrass beds and extensive mudflats; the Bay contains the largest remaining eelgrass beds south of the Willapa Bay in Washington. Endangered/threatened species present are the peregrine falcon, bald eagle, brown pelican, western snowy plover, Humboldt Bay wallflower, and beach layia.