Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1937 on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, protects a narrow barrier-island landscape of beaches, dunes, ponds, salt flats, and marshes that provides vital habitat for migratory birds and threatened species. Extending about 13 miles, the refuge is renowned for its birdlife, with more than 365 recorded species and important areas for waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. It also helps protect species such as piping plovers, roseate terns, greater snow geese, and several sea turtles. Once used for hunting, fishing, farming, and livestock, it is now a major conservation, education, and wildlife observation destination.