Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge is located in Santa Cruz, California, and is a great place to visit for nature enthusiasts.
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Summary
The refuge is a 67-acre wetland that offers visitors an opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife species, including birds, amphibians, and other small animals.
One of the main reasons to visit Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge is to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. Visitors can take a stroll along the trails that wind through the wetlands and observe the animals in their natural habitat. The refuge is also a great place for birdwatching, with over 200 species of birds being spotted in the area.
Some specific points of interest to see at Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge include the bird blinds, which provide visitors with a great vantage point to observe the birds. The refuge also features a butterfly garden and a demonstration garden, which showcases native plants and gardening techniques that are beneficial to local wildlife.
Interesting facts about the area include that the refuge was created in the 1980s as a result of community activism, and it was once used as a commercial salt pond. Additionally, the area is home to the endangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamander.
The best time of year to visit Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall, as this is when the most wildlife can be observed. The refuge is open year-round, and admission is free.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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