Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge is in northwestern Oregon, 10 miles (16 km) west of Salem in Polk County.

The valley was once a rich mix of wildlife habitats with extensive wetlands, meandering stream channels and vast seasonal marshes.

Dusky Canada geese usually appear at the Refuge in the fall and use it as their last stop before starting the spring journey back to their Alaska nesting grounds.

Because of their need for a quiet resting area, the majority of the refuge interior is closed to public entry while the geese are in residence, from October 1 through April 30.

The oak savanna habitat on the Refuge supports the largest surviving population of the endangered Fender's blue butterfly which feeds upon the threatened Kincaid's lupine plant.

[citation needed] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.