The McLean Game Refuge Mission
Our mission is to honor the legacy of George P. McLean and follow the careful instructions, left in his will, to protect wild plants and animals, conserve natural ecosystems, and provide opportunities for our community to find peace of mind and body in nature as he did.
Our Legacy
Senator George P. McLean founded the McLean Game Refuge in 1932 to preserve over 3,000 acres of meadows and forests from the threats of development and resource exploitation. Thanks to Senator McLean’s visionary efforts, our protected lands have expanded, continuing his legacy of conservation and ensuring these vital ecosystems remain vibrant and diverse.
What led to the McLean Game Refuge was Senator McLean’s achievement championing the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, one of the nation’s first and most critical wildlife conservation laws. This groundbreaking legislation, still effective today, has saved billions of birds from needless killing and likely averted the extinction of numerous species.
Bird enthusiasts everywhere owe a great debt to Senator McLean. His early 20th-century advocacy for wildlife significantly contributed to the protection of countless bird species from widespread extinction.
From the Will of Senator McLean
“I want the game refuge to be a place where some of the things God made may be seen by those who love them, as I loved them, and who may find in them the peace of mind and body that I have found.”
Trail Map
The Game Refuge hours are sunrise to sunset.
Contact Us
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Rules for Visiting
Learn about the rules for visiting the McLean Game Refuge.
Seasons at the McLean Game Refuge
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Photography
First image: Sunrise at the McLean Game Refuge; Second image: Bobcat; Third image: Louisiana Waterthrush; Fourth image: Painted Turtle; Fifth image: Barred Owl; Sixth image: Male Wood Duck