Green Bay West Shores Wildlife Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Green Bay West Shores Wildlife Area is a 1,000-acre refuge located along the western shore of Green Bay in Wisconsin.


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Summary

The area is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to its beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife.

One of the main reasons to visit the area is for bird watching. The refuge is home to over 130 species of birds, including bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and great blue herons. Visitors can also see a variety of mammals, such as white-tailed deer, red foxes, and raccoons.

There are several points of interest to see while at Green Bay West Shores Wildlife Area, including the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, which offers nature trails, bird watching opportunities, and educational programs. Another popular attraction is the Green Bay Botanical Garden, which features several gardens and a nature center.

Interesting facts about the area include its history as a dumping ground for industrial waste in the 1960s. The area was later restored and turned into a wildlife refuge in the 1990s.

The best time of year to visit Green Bay West Shores Wildlife Area is in the spring and fall when migratory birds are passing through. However, the area is open year-round and offers different activities depending on the season, such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter months.

Overall, Green Bay West Shores Wildlife Area is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy nature and see a variety of wildlife in Wisconsin.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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