Black River National Wildlife Refuge
| Black River National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
| Black River Preserve, Black River Unit | |
Black River Unit, 2023 | |
Interactive map of Black River National Wildlife Refuge | |
| Location | Thurston County, Washington |
| Nearest town | Littlerock, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46°56′29.5″N 123°0′2.3″W / 46.941528°N 123.000639°W |
| Area | 2,200 acres (8.9 km2) |
| Designation | National Wildlife Refuge |
| Established | 1996 |
| Named for | Black River |
| Administrator | Multiple agencies, conservation groups |
| Website | USFW - Black River Unit |
The Black River National Wildlife Refuge is an in-development wildlife refuge located between Black Lake and the community of Littlerock in Thurston County, Washington. Also known under several different names including the Black River Preserve or Black River Unit, the site is officially part of the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
The refuge was established in 1996 after ongoing efforts by local residents and organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, were undertaken to preserve the rare and undisturbed wetland area. Privately-owned parcels have either been purchased through various groups and government agencies, or have been donated by landowners, to expand the preserve. As of 2026, the official size of the refuge is approximately 2,200 acres (890 ha) with a planned border encompassing 3,600 acres (1,500 ha).
Attempts to build asphalt and cement plants, as well as the expansion of a gravel mine, on the border of the preserve during the 2000s were thwarted after years of legal filings. The Black River Unit is home to several waterways and a variety of environments, and includes a diverse habitat of amphibians, birds, native fish, and mammals.