We are a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System whose mission to is to conserve wild lands for the benefit of plants and wildlife as well as allowing the use by visitors in a sustainable manner. Our Refuge was established specifically for the preservation of Bottomland Hardwood Forests which is a shrinking ecosystem. We also have a decent freshwater mussel population and wildlife and plants that utilize the unique characteristics of bottomland hardwood forests like prothonotary warblers.