Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge

Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge is located on part of the former Loring Air Force Base, in Aroostook County, Maine. It was established in 1998, when 4700acre were transferred from the United States Air Force to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This refuge also administers some of wetland conservation easements throughout Aroostook County. It is close to the state park where visitors hike for particular seasons. In a portion of Maine where the landscape is dominated by agricultural crops such as potatoes and broccoli, Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge protects valuable wildlife habitat. The variety of habitat types attracts a diversity of wildlife species.The refuge has a surface area of 5252acre. It is part of the Town of Limestone.WildlifeResident species like deer and moose can often be seen feeding on the farm fields adjacent to the new refuge boundary. They feed along stream banks and forested wetlands. Waterfowl that use the refuge wetlands include black ducks, wood ducks, and hooded mergansers; Canada geese may be seen on East Loring Lake and the Little Madawaska River upstream from the dam during periods of spring and fall migration. River otters, mink, muskrats, beaver, and snowshoe hares are a few of the smaller, less conspicuous species that inhabit portions of the refuge.