Wildlife Refuges

Naturalist will thrive when they visit Suffolk County on Long Island. Explore Suffolk County’s local wildlife as you make your way through the region’s wetlands and woods. Our diverse ecosystems are home to animals from deer to river otters and a plethora of birds. The region hosts a number of National Wildlife Refuges that help educate visitors and preserve the livelihood of threatened and endangered species. These National wildlife refuges can be visited at:


Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge

Amagansett (36acres)
Refuge land is next to the public town beach.
Phone: (631) 286-0485

Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge

North Sea (60 acres)
Use by permit only.
Phone: (631) 286-0485

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge

Sag Harbor (187 acres)
2595 Noyac Rd, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Phone: (631) 725-7598

Sayville National Wildlife Refuge

West Sayville (127 acres)
Phone: (631) 286-0485

Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge

Islip (196 acres)
Phone: (631) 286-0485

Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge /Rock National Wildlife Refuge 

Lloyd Neck (80acres)
This refuge is open to the public and is an extremely popular shore fishing location.
Phone: (631) 286-0485

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

Shirley (2,550 acres)
Phone: (631) 286-0485

Additional Wildlife Resources

Suffolk County also boasts parks, preserves and arboretums where visitors can view local wildlife in their natural habitats. The Fire Island National Seashore and Robert Moses State Park offer optimal bird watching views due to their location on the Atlantic migratory flywayVisit Connetquot River State Park for a chance to see bats and flying squirrels hidden amongst the trees. Head over to Nissequogue River State Park to see beautiful red foxes and slow moving turtles. Bayard Cutting Arboretum is surrounded by tall trees, the Connetquot River and flourishing flowers which makes for a diverse wildlife population for you to observe. Naturalists can set out to the Pine Barrens, Quogue Village Wetlands Preserve and Sunken Meadow State Park to see how conservation efforts have proven successful for species like the Piping Plover.