Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

| iucn_category = IV

| iucn_ref = {{cite web|title=Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/prime-hook-national-wildlife-refuge|website=Protected Planet|publisher=IUCN|accessdate=1 May 2018}}

| photo = Prime Hook NWR 2010.jpg

| photo_caption = Great blue heron at Prime Hook NWR

| map = Delaware#USA

| map_image =

| map_size = 180

| map_caption = Location in Delaware

| relief = 1

| location = Sussex County, Delaware, Delaware, United States

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| coordinates = {{coord|38|50|52|N|75|16|1|W|display=inline,title}}

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| area_sqmi = 15.6

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| established = 1963

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| visitation_num = Open daily in season

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| website = [http://www.fws.gov/refuge/prime_hook/ Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge]

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Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for migratory birds located east of Milton, Delaware, United States. It was established by President John F. KennedySmith, Stephen Kennedy and Brinkley, Douglas, JFK: A Vision for America (Harper 2017), pp. 444-445 in 1963 on {{convert|10000|acre|km2}} along the western shore of Delaware Bay. The refuge contains a variety of habitats, including freshwater and salt marshes, woodlands, grasslands, ponds, and forested areas, supporting 267 species of birds and a variety of reptiles, amphibians and mammals.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). [http://www.fws.gov/northeast/primehook/ "Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Welcome."] 2011-01-03.

Fowler Beach, along the Eastern edge of the refuge, is an official sanctuary for horseshoe crabs, the state marine animal of Delaware and a "signature species" of the Delaware Bay Estuary.http://www.ecodelaware.com/place.php?id=360 "EcoDelaware.com: Fowler Beach, an official horseshoe crab sanctuary"

The refuge is open to the public for wildlife-oriented recreation. Facilities include walking trails, a canoe trail, a bird blind and other wildlife observation areas, and a visitor center.FWS (2004). [http://www.fws.gov/northeast/primehook/pdf/PrimeHookfin.pdf "Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge."] (Brochure).