Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi was established in 1975 to protect the endangered Mississippi sandhill crane and the wet pine savanna habitat it needs. Created as that landscape was disappearing, it preserves not only a vulnerable bird but also a rare Gulf Coast ecosystem. The refuge spans more than 19,000 acres, or about 77 square kilometers, in four units. It is part of the Gulf Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, whose manager also oversees Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Its enduring importance lies in conserving open pine savannas and one of the region’s most at-risk birds.