The refuge is the largest part of the Humboldt National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which is an administrative entity that also administers the Lanphere Dunes Unit and the Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge.
The refuge is the largest part of the Humboldt National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which is headquartered south of Eureka at its Loleta, California site. The "Complex" is an administrative entity that also managers the Lanphere Dunes Unit and the Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge.