Help us explore and document all of the amazing wildlife the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge has to offer!
The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is located in California’s Imperial Valley, 40 miles north of the Mexican border at the southern end of the Salton Sea. Because of its southern latitude, elevation of 227 feet below sea level, and location in the ...more ↓
Help us explore and document all of the amazing wildlife the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge has to offer!
The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is located in California’s Imperial Valley, 40 miles north of the Mexican border at the southern end of the Salton Sea. Because of its southern latitude, elevation of 227 feet below sea level, and location in the Sonoran Desert, the Refuge sees some of the hottest temperatures in the nation. Daily temperatures from May to October exceed 100°F with temperatures of 116°-120°F recorded yearly.
The Refuge is located within the Pacific Flyway, an important migration route for birds. The Refuge habitats and the Salton Sea are vital to these migrating birds as a resting place and wintering area. The Refuge was established as a sanctuary and breeding ground for birds and other wildlife when 32,766 acres were set aside in 1930.
In 1998, the Refuge was renamed after Congressman Sonny Bono, who helped inform the U.S. Congress of the environmental issues facing the Salton Sea as well as acquiring funding for this Refuge to help it respond to avian disease outbreaks and other habitat challenges at the Salton Sea.
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