High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is the only international wildlife refuge in North America. It was established in 2001 and is managed jointly by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service. The refuge is located along the western coast of Lake Erie and much of the southern portion of the Detroit River. It currently occupies 7.88 mi² (20.42 km²) of scattered property but has drawn boundaries for further expansion. The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge consists primarily of coastal wetlands, several islands in the Detroit River, and waterfront parks.