Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map of the United States
Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (the United States)
LocationFranklin County, Vermont, United States
Nearest citySwanton, Vermont
Coordinates44°58′N 73°10′W / 44.967°N 73.167°W / 44.967; -73.167
Area7,232 acres (29.27 km2)
Established1943
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteMissisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
Official nameMissisquoi Delta and Bay Wetlands
Designated20 November 2013
Reference no.2200

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge in the U.S. state of Vermont located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain and the southern side of Missisquoi Bay. The refuge is in Franklin County in the northwest corner of the state near the International Boundary with Canada.

The refuge was established on February 4, 1943, under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. The initial acquisition was 1,582 acres (6.4 km2) of land in the Missisquoi River delta, including Shad Island and Big Marsh Slough. Additional land is acquired from willing sellers. The refuge's current size is 7,232 acres (27 km2). It was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2013. It is the only National Wildlife Refuge located entirely in Vermont and is administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It is located in the towns of Swanton and Highgate with satellite units in Derby, Vermont and Westville, New York.