The Grassland Ecological Area, also known as the Grasslands Ecological Area is a designated Ramsar Site (wetland of international importance) in Central California. It covers an area of 250 square miles (650 km²) along the San Joaquin River in California's Central Valley. The wetlands are on the Pacific Flyway, and are an important habitat for resident and migratory waterbirds.^[1]

It consists of several federal and state protected areas.^[1] The federal protected areas are managed together as the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

National wildlife refuges, managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

• San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
• Merced National Wildlife Refuge
• San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge

Federal wildlife management areas, managed by private owners with conservation easements by the USFWS

• Grasslands Wildlife Management Area

State wildlife areas, managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

• North Grasslands Wildlife Area (Salt Slough, China Island, Gadwall)
• Volta Wildlife Area
• Los Banos Wildlife Area (Los Banos, Mud Slough)

California State Parks, managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation

• Great Valley Grasslands State Park

References