Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge protects a vast floodplain swampland in the Pearl River Basin of Louisiana and Mississippi, where rivers, sloughs, bayous, and lakes shape a dynamic bottomland hardwood ecosystem. Authorized in 1980 and later expanded, it remains in an acquisition phase with about 36,447 acres under management. Seasonal flooding defines the refuge, inundating much of it in winter and spring and supporting distinct forests from mixed hardwoods on higher ground to bald cypress and tupelo in wetter areas. The refuge is especially important for birdlife and other wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, and also supports fishing, hunting, and limited public access.