These unique areas harbor many species that are considered nationally or regionally threatened such as cerulean warbler, broadhead skink, flat floater mussel (Anodonta suborbiculata), and Mead's milkweed.

Other interesting species are raccoons, badgers, minks, coyotes, skunks, beavers, muskrats, river otters, two species of fox, bobcats, paddlefish, crawfish frogs, scissor-tailed flycatchers, loggerhead shrike, and red-shouldered hawks.

The refuge provides a rare opportunity to view high quality examples of a number of uncommon plant and animal communities all within a short distance of each other.

Marais des Cygnes NWR is located 39 miles (63 km) south of the Kansas City metropolitan area along U.S. Highway 69.

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