Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge The only International Wildlife Refuge in North America. Established within the National Wildlife Refuge System and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
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We are located along the lower Detroit River and western shoreline of Lake Erie, 20 miles south of Detroit. Welcome

This is an official page of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To learn more about our social media efforts, and to find a list of official USFWS social media sites, please visit our social media hub: http://www.fws.gov/home/socialmedia/

Our agency is known for our scient

ific excellence, our stewardship of lands and natural resources, and our dedicated conservation and wildlife professionals. While we hope that this page will help you stay connected to our work, we also hope that it will keep us connected to you and the issues you care about. Your participation on this page is vital and all feedback is welcome--both good and bad. Your perspective is welcomed and we hope that conversations about the Service can be productive, fun, and engaging.

Explore art close to home this summer! The Detroit Institute of Arts Inside|Out program is now on view here at the Detro...
08/30/2026

Explore art close to home this summer! The Detroit Institute of Arts Inside|Out program is now on view here at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Trenton.

Take a walk, view the river, and see what you can discover.

Photo features installed "Bank of the Oise at Auvers" by Vincent Van Gogh. Photo Credit: A. Gilford/USFWS

On the first Thursday of every month, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge offers "First Thursday Hikes" -- e...
08/30/2026

On the first Thursday of every month, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge offers "First Thursday Hikes" -- easy to remember right?

Park Rangers lead these hikes to explore our trails and all the changes that happen--day to day, week by week, and season by season. They are a consistent offering here in Trenton, MI among our world full of consistent change.

Better yet, these hikes are FREE and open to all! Pick a first Thursday that works for you, and meet us at the John D. Dingell Visitor Center at 2pm. PLEASE NOTE: Check our facebook for weather-dependent updates on these monthly hikes.

Thurs, September 3 at 2pm-3:30pm
Thurs, October 1 at 2pm-3:30pm
Thurs, November 5 at 2pm-3:30pm
Thurs, December 3 at 2pm-3:30pm

Photo credit: Deb Hojnacki

Looking for something fun and unique to do on this fine Saturday? Stop by the Detroit River International Wildlife Refug...
08/29/2026

Looking for something fun and unique to do on this fine Saturday?

Stop by the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge any time between 1pm and 3pm for Drop-In Nature Crafts. It's FREE and open to ALL!

Afterward, you and your family can borrow fishing gear for the pier or rent out a nature explorers backpack for a stroll on either of our two trails. We look forward to seeing you!

Join us TONIGHT for the Season Finale of our River Glow Series!Silent Disco the night away from 5:30pm-8:30pm here at th...
08/28/2026

Join us TONIGHT for the Season Finale of our River Glow Series!

Silent Disco the night away from 5:30pm-8:30pm here at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. The Visitor Center will stay open late, too!

Upon entering, guests get wireless headphones and tune to a channel and volume of their choosing. Dance it up or decompress from the week--the choice is yours.

CTYHOP is a Detroit-based live entertainment company specializing in silent disco events--don't miss it!

Monarch migration is HERE! Monarchs in the "super generation" fly approximately 3,000 miles to Mexico for the winter, of...
08/26/2026

Monarch migration is HERE! Monarchs in the "super generation" fly approximately 3,000 miles to Mexico for the winter, often riding the winds far above our heads. Based on the latitude of Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, peak migration happens around mid-September.

Monarch Butterfly Hikes are now scheduled. Join us to search the refuge grounds for eggs, larva, pupa, and adults. All are welcome on the following dates:

Wed, August 26 at 5:30pm-6:30pm
Wed, September 16 at 4:30pm-5:30pm
Sun, September 27 at 1pm-2pm

Photo credits: Ryan Hagerty / USFWS

Spotted at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, along the Orange Trail: Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)...
08/25/2026

Spotted at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, along the Orange Trail: Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica).

Native to Michigan, Great blue lobelia is highly attractive to pollinators including sweat bees, small carpenter bees, and bumble bees. It grows 1-3 feet tall and blooms with blue-to-purple flowers throughout August and September.

Fun fact: it takes THREE years before the seeds fully flower! Look and appreciate only with with your eyes or camera.

Have you found it here along the Orange Trail yet?

Photo by M. Drury / USFWS

08/24/2026

Exciting news! 🙌

We are starting our very own wildlife rescue and transport group!

If you’ve wanted to help Michigan’s wildlife but haven’t been sure how, this could be a great opportunity for you! We often have finders with animals in need of lifesaving care but no way to transport them to us. Our rescue and transport volunteers will receive training on how to safely capture, handle, and transport wildlife. We get calls from all over lower Michigan, and the animals would need to be brought to us here in Howell. If you’re interested, email Laura at [email protected]!

What's included in "small game" hunting? Rabbits, squirrels, ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, and woodchucks--just t...
08/22/2026

What's included in "small game" hunting? Rabbits, squirrels, ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, and woodchucks--just to name a few!

This Sunday at 11am, all are welcome to join us and National Wild Turkey Federation to explore small game hunting techniques. We will start with a conversation about species, hunting basics, and strategy. We will end the program with a short hike looking for evidence of small game outside.

It's FREE and open to all ages and experience levels.

No hunting will take place. Hunter safety is not required for this informational event.

08/21/2026

Somewhere in America today, wildland firefighters are answering the call.

The men and women of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service work in some of the toughest conditions imaginable, protecting communities and the natural resources we all depend on.

To every firefighter and support professional working behind the scenes and on the frontline, we say thank you for your service and your commitment to protecting America.

Address

5437 West Jefferson Avenue
Trenton, MI
48183

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