• Shoreline


    The shoreline habitat varies greatly throughout the many Refuge islands.  Most common are low, rocky shores, sand and gravel pocket beaches are spread sporadically throughout the islands, and some islands have looming, rocky cliffs.  Wildlife found along these shorelines include cormorants, black oystercatchers, pigeon guillemots, and harbor seals.  Sea level rise is an on-going concern for the shoreline habitats as this can lead to increased erosion, flooding, and over-wash during storms.

  • Grassy Balds

    List-SJI grassland-USFWS

    Most of the small islands in the Refuge are devoid of significant vegetation.  A few of the islands are large enough to support patches of herbaceous, or grassy, balds.  In these patches a few unusual species thrive including California buttercup and bear's foot sanicle.  More common plants found on the islands include white-flowered death camas, paintbrush, and common camas.

  • Forests and Woodlands


    Only ten islands in the Refuge are large enough to support forests.  In drier, less protected areas such as ridge tops and south or west facing slopes the forests are composed mostly of Douglas fir and madrone trees.  In damper valleys or on north facing slopes Douglas fir and western hemlock trees dominate the habitat and are sometimes joined by western red cedars and grand firs.  These forest sanctuaries provide homes for bald eagles, woodpeckers, great horned owls, and bats.