Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge

Eastern Oklahoma’s Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge protects important hardwood forests and wetlands along the Deep Fork River. This diversity of habitats supports a variety of wildlife, including 250 species of birds. Recently, a mortgage company foreclosed on a private half-acre parcel that had been serving as one of the refuge’s primary southern entry points. The refuge wanted to acquire the property, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was unable to obtain authorized funding quickly enough to make the purchase. TPL moved to acquire the land and hold it until it could be added to the refuge. Between 1999 – 2003, we’ve added more than 330 acres the refuge.