Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

05/21/2026

🌙✨ Backyard Wildlife Spotlight ✨🌙
Today we spotted the Lesser Nighthawk, right behind the SWAZ complex office!
This cryptic bird species is active primarily at night and catches flying insects while in flight with its large frog-like mouth. Its mottled brown plumage provides excellent camouflage, allowing it to blend almost perfectly with tree branches and desert ground. If you’re outside around sunset, keep an eye on the sky—you might catch the Lesser Nighthawk swooping gracefully overhead.

Photo: S. Ashcraft/USFWS

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌎💚
Spotted this amazing desert resident in its natural habitat. A reminder of how important it is to protect the places and creatures that make our desert home so special.
Join me today by doing one simple action: pick up a piece of litter, save some water, plant something native, or support a local conservation effort. Every small step adds up!

📷USFWS-Badger on Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

04/07/2026

Volunteers needed on Kofa! Head to volunteer.gov to put in your application now!

01/23/2026

Event Alert!
Our volunteer hosts are providing guided hikes at some awesome spots across Kofa NWR. Please see the flyer below for information on dates and locations. If you would like to sign up for a slot message us or sign up at the listed kiosk.

01/12/2026

Looking for a great way to start the year? Visit your local wildlife refuge! Kofa is thriving thanks to winter rains, and the animals couldn’t agree more.

10/01/2025

Due to the federal government shutdown, this account is not being actively updated.
For more information, please visit:

Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

06/02/2025

Cibola National Wildlife Refuge Update!
On April 26th Cibola NWR and the Friends of Cibola group hosted the annual youth fishing clinic. Big thanks to The Friends of Cibola NWR, Arizona Game & Fish Department and Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club for putting on this fun event. We hope to see everyone again next year!

05/23/2024

Cibola National Wildlife Refuge News Update: 2024 Spring Wheat Planting

In February of this year, in partnership with the Friends of Cibola NWR group, the Refuge planted 38 acres of spring wheat to increase dove hunting opportunities. 20 acres is within our Island Unit, and 18 acres is in Unit 2. The Unit 2 field had not been utilized in several seasons, and we have experienced challenges with irrigation and water flow on this field. Additionally, this is an area that is heavily utilized by burros due to several areas of fence that need to be repaired. Due to the challenges with water flow across the field, we have only seen approximately a third of the field germinate. While this portion was seeing good growth, it has come under heavy grazing pressure by burros. Due to the current state of the field, and new maintenance needs for the canal feeding this field in addition to the other forage fields in Unit 2, we will be focusing our attention to ensuring the Island Unit field successfully comes to seed for the Fall Dove season.

For questions, please contact the Southwest AZ Complex office at [email protected] or (928) 345-4916.

Cibola National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964 as mitigation for the straightening, channelization, and armoring of the banks of the Colorado River by the Bureau of Reclamation to prevent flooding. The purpose of the 18,444-acre refuge is to protect and recreate the marshes, backwaters, and...

04/26/2024

🎙PSA Southern AZ Stinknet Expansion

🎙PSA Southern AZ Stinknet Expansion

We have been seeing a dramatic increase in the extent of stinknet across southern AZ this year. This extremely aggressive winter annual brings with it both the ability to rapidly transform Sonoran Desert landscapes as well as a multitude of health impacts for the visiting public. Invasive plant managers across the southwest are regarding stinknet as the worst invasive species to establish in the Sonoran Desert since buffelgrass.

We have had reports of scattered patches of stinknet in Yuma! Help us stop the spread. Stinknet seeds are smaller than a grain of sand and very clingy. If you are working or visiting in an area with stinknet please take the time to clean off your shoes, clothing, backpack, etc. before leaving the area. For more information visit https://www.stinknet.org/

Photo Credit: Sue Carnahan

03/19/2024

🌟 Save the date! Cibola National Wildlife Refuge Community Open House

🗓️ Date: March 23, 2024
🕙 Time: 10am to noon
📍 Location: Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, 66600 Cibola Lake Road, Cibola, AZ 85328

Join us for an informative and engaging event at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge! Learn more about topics such as hunting, outdoor recreation, farming programs, staff, co-ops, & more!

For more information, contact us at 928-345-4916 or email [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there!

[**Image Description:** A serene scene depicting four ducks gracefully floating on the river at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. The ducks are peacefully gliding through the water, surrounded by lush vegetation on the riverbanks.]

Photo Credit: FWO Gary Twerdak/ USFWS