Located in the panhandle of western Nebraska near the town of Ellsworth, approximately 28 miles northwest of Oshkosh, the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a vital component of the region's ecosystem. The refuge is part of a chain of sandhills lake wetlands that stretches across the western Great Plains and provides habitat to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Established in 1957, the refuge spans over 45,859 acres, featuring 32 lakes, ponds, and marshes.

The primary purpose of establishing the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge was to protect the unique wetlands and rare sandhills habitat of the region. It's part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an entity responsible for managing the habitat to optimize support for a wide variety of wildlife. At the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, emphasis has been placed on supporting migratory birds and such projects of national importance were carefully discussed and considered in creating the refuge. As a result, through such proactive efforts, rare species have benefited including whooping cranes, long-billed curlews, Wilson's phalaropes, American avocets, black-necked stilts, Burrowing owls, sedge wrens, and Brewer's sparrows.

A striking aspect of the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge is its varied topography. The terrain is primarily comprised of sandhills dissected by low-lying wetland complexes and shallow lakes that accommodate large fish populations, representing a valuable food source. The landscape also contains a mixed grass prairie and patches of woody plant cover including cottonwood stands on lake shorelines. Ponds and marshes complement these diverse habitats providing excellent sites for wildlife to thrive.

The area provides critical habitat along the migratory corridor of waterfowl wintering grounds as it covers a central part of key routes of yearly migration by many notable bird species along with common birds including pintails, blue-winged teal, American golden-plovers, ruddy ducks, trumpeter swans, and canvasbacks. Some bird species may be tracked as specific individuals. Biologists investigate the behavior of animals also often evaluating refuge food sources that provide nutritious wetland vegetation in combination with crops outside the refuge.

Water flow to the region affects lake elevations, influencing habitat type. Research demonstrates that understanding such hydrological relationships contributes significantly to habitat assessment. Using information like regional climate trend data contributes significantly to optimizing projects that sustain refuge habitats.

Scientific research is viewed as increasingly crucial in protecting wildlife refuge environments. Refuge staff works in collaboration with various organizations to evaluate local resource management policy, gather insights on habitat use patterns and climate responses. Such active, science-based collaborations allow wildlife refuge administration the capability to apply effectively tested strategies to serve wildlife most effectively.

Those visiting the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge for wildlife observation may visit various points on the map providing numerous opportunities. Self-guiding with available map print outs can direct visitors for some length along one point, 24 miles out where roads and information guides invite inspection. Not unusual are surprises found with binocular use, taking note of what actually is present where from small creatures like frogs and crawdads to many creatures on one large list of avian birds and in their active participation of a unique ecosystem.

The wildlife refuge also has guided nature tours every year. Visitors on Upland Bird tours can experience hilly terrain that surround nearby Crescent Lake, where Sandhills lakes habitats meet Great Plains ecology that are important nesting areas for at least 17 priority bird species.