Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is located in the rural towns of Alabama and Shelby mid-way between Rochester and Buffalo, NY. It has been described as one of the best kept secrets of Western New York. Teeming with wildlife and wild lands the refuge offers opportunities for the public to experience nature in all seasons. The refuge is one of over 500 national wildlife refuges in the United States. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only network of federal lands dedicated specifically to wildlife conservation.

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is one of over 500 national wildlife refuges in the United States. Iroquois NWR is a namesake of the Iroquois Indians, a Native American federation that resided in the north east. The federation was originally made up of five tribes: Cayuga, Oneida, Mohawk, Seneca and Onondaga. The Tuscarora entered the federation in the 1800's. The refuge lies in both Orleans and Genesee Counties, midway between Rochester and Buffalo, New York.

At the end of the last glacial period, a huge lake called Tonawanda covered much of Western New York. Through the slow passage of time the lake drained and filled until only a few swampy areas remained. Here, wildlife flourished in the diverse habitat.

Centuries later, the Seneca Indians began to drain the swamp and clear some of the forests for farming. To the first European settlers in the early 19th century the remaining clusters of oak trees were reminiscent of an orchard and so they named the area "Oak Orchard Swamp." Settlers expanded artificial drainage of the swamp to improve logging and farming operations, but, plagued by high costs, and a cycle of muck fires and floods, the outcome was marginal at best. By the 1950s, landowners were looking to further develop and convert the lands to other uses. This development would have resulted in the loss of these vital wetlands forever.

Wildlife Gets a Helping Hand

On May 19, 1958 the federal government established the Oak Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, using funds from the sale of Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps, or "Duck Stamps". It is one link in a chain of over 500 National Wildlife Refuges across the United States. To avoid confusion with the neighboring Oak Orchard State Wildlife Management Area, the refuge was renamed Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in 1964.

Highlights

• The refuge is a key link, serving the western portion of the Atlantic Flyway.
• The refuge encompasses 10,828 acres which includes part of the ancient Oak Orchard Swamp.

• Designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Attracts 268 species of birds.
• Four distinct habitats, forests, grasslands, emergent marsh and hardwood swamp, found within the Refuge also support 42 species of mammals, plus amphibians, reptiles and insects.
• Numerous wildflowers can be seen throughout the refuge during spring, summer and fall along all the refuge nature trails and roadsides.

PDF of the above map click here.

Hiking Trails in Iroquois NWR

Kanyoo Nature Trail

"Kanyoo" is an Iroquois word meaning "wildlife". On this trail you will discover the diversity of nature --constantly changing over time. As you cross the open field you may spot tree swallows or bluebirds. Past the hedgerow, the canopy deepens into a mixed woods of cherry, maple, beech and tulip trees with opportunities to see or hear a variety of songbirds. Vernal (spring) pools are nurseries for amphibians and recycle nutrients into the soil to support new growth. A small observation platform and short boardwalk offer views of the marsh.

Colored arrows direct you along two loops:

Blue - approximately one mile long with a short boardwalk crossing a finger of Mohawk Pool.

Yellow - approximately 2/3 of a mile long and offers a wetland observation platform at the midway point. An interpretive trail guide coincides with the numbered posts along the way.

The two loops together will cover approximately 1 1/3 mile.

Access to Feeder Road

A grass path to the west, between the barn and Waterfowl Permit Station, leads to the Feeder Road.

The Kanyoo Trail Guide is available at the visitor contact station.

Onondaga Nature Trail

Onondaga Nature Trail is named for one of the five original tribes of the Iroquois Federation. The trail is 1.2 miles long one way. From the parking lot off of Sour Springs Road follow the dirt and gravel dike through the Onondaga Marsh into mixed mature woods with evergreen plantations which pre-date the refuge. A quiet walker will be greeted by a variety of songbirds. A short side loop takes you around a small pond where you may see wood ducks and other waterfowl. When you come to the end of the trail, rest, reflect and retrace your steps.

Onondaga Trail is closed to all activities, except hunting, during the New York State regular (shotgun) deer season.

Swallow Hollow Nature Trail

Located on Knowlesville Road (the east boundary of the refuge) this unique trail is a 1.3 mile loop.  More than half of the trail is elevated boardwalk which connects to a gravel trail to take you through evergreen plantations, marsh and forested wetlands for unique encounters. Interpretive panels along the way tell of some of the more common residents in the marsh. During the spring and summer this trail is one of the better spots on the refuge to find warblers. Other birds include waterfowl, red-winged blackbirds, great blue heron and piliated woodpeckers.

Boardwalk

Gravel Dike

Packed Soil