Founded on February 1, 1969, Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge was the first refuge dedicated to protecting the bald eagle, America's national symbol. Today, this 2,276-acre refuge features 2,000 acres of mature hardwood forests, Northern Virginia's largest freshwater marsh, and nearly six miles of shoreline. It offers a secluded habitat of upland forests and marshes along the Potomac River, supporting eagles and a diverse array of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants.