About Us

Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge, which also includes Egg Island and Little Egg Island, is located at the mouth of the Altamaha River on the Georgia coast. The refuge consists of a long narrow strip of oceanfront beach backed by a broad band of salt marsh which makes up over 75% of the refuge's total acreage. The entire refuge was designated a National Wilderness Area in 1975 and provides critical sanctuary for migrating birds and nursery habitat for sea turtles. Though the refuge's surrounding saltwater is open to recreational activities like boating and fishing, the beach, marsh, and all other upland areas are closed to the public.

Our Mission

Based on sound science and wilderness values, the Wolf Island NWR will protect, manage and, where appropriate, restore the Atlantic Coastal Barrier Island System to provide for wildlife, plants, and threatened and endangered species as well as their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations.

Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established to serve a statutory purpose that targets the conservation of native species dependent on its lands and waters. All activities on those acres are reviewed for compatibility with this statutory purpose. The purpose(s) of this unit is. . .“…as a sanctuary for migratory birds.”

Our History

April 3, 1930:  Wolf Island NWR established by Executive Order No. 5316 as a 538-acre sanctuary for migratory birds.

October 3, 1972:  United States bought an additional 4,071 acres from The Nature Conservancy for inclusion in Wolf Island NWR.

December 8, 1972:  The rest of the refuge (517 acres) was added by a Declaration of Taking determined by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Georgia.

January 3, 1975:  Congress designated the refuge as a National Wilderness Area.