The refuge actively manages land and water to change the landscape to benefit wildlife, primarily the Columbian White-tailed deer.
Trail cameras capture refuge wildlife on Tenasillahe Island. Cameras are used by refuge biologists to estimate population ratios, identify species and better understand wildlife behavior patterns. These photos were part a study to determine if Columbian white-tailed deer use or avoid bridges.
Managed grasslands are especially important to deer nutrition during late summer when grasses seed out and dry up, and in the winter when they provide a nutritious option to woody vegetation. Cattle grazing and haying are used in selected pastures to maintain the short nutritious growth of grass and forbs that deer prefer to eat. Weed control, balancing soil acidity, fertilizing, reseeding and discing are also used in the pastures to provide the most nutritious and natural food for the deer.
Water management is key to providing the diverse habitats the deer
and other wildlife require. The mainland and Tenasillahe Island
Units, which were once tidally flooded, now have dikes protecting
them from the Columbia River. Consequently, they stay drier than
lands that flood with the tides.
Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCPs) describe the desired future conditions of a refuge and provide long-range guidance and management direction to achieve refuge purposes; help fulfill the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) mission; maintain and, where appropriate, restore the ecological integrity of each refuge and the Refuge System; help achieve the goals of the National Wilderness Preservation System; and meet other mandates.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must manage all national wildlife refuges according to an approved CCP. The current Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer and the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge CCP was completed in 2010. The CCP will be revised every 15 years, or earlier, if monitoring and evaluation determine that we need changes to achieve planning unit purpose(s), vision, goals, or objectives.
For more specific information on the Julia Butler Hansen NWR CCP please visit our Refuge Planning Website.