Please call the refuge at 718-318-4340 for reservations and additional information. The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge -- part of Gateway National Recreation Area -- is the only wildlife refuge in the national park system and is recognized as worldclass location for birding and nature photography. The refuge's 9,155 acres contain diverse habitats including salt marsh, upland field and woods, several fresh and brackish water ponds and an open expanse of bay available for exploration. At the Visitor Contact Station, a recently built "green" building, rangers can point you in the right direction whether you are interested in bird watching, strolling quiet trails or just experiencing the outdoors. The facility is also home to exhibits which highlight Jamaica Bay's remarkable plant and animal life, history, and how people continue to shape the nature of the bay. A wide range of ranger and volunteer led programs are offered year-round at the site, and include presentations on seasonal wildlife, sunset tours, family programs and an annual lecture series.
