News
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce the inaugural National Wildlife Refuge System Employee Appreciation Day on December 17, 2024. This special day is dedicated to honoring the tireless efforts of the employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System who care for America’s 573 national wildlife refuges and marine national monuments, spanning over 95 million acres of land and 760 million acres of marine areas.
President Geoffrey Haskett of the National Wildlife Refuge Association testified before Congress on the proposed revisions to the Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health (BIDEH) rule for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Embark on a visual odyssey into the heart of America's wildlands with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Fire Program. In collaboration with Ian Shive from Tandem Stills + Motion, this groundbreaking video project transcends the boundaries of traditional storytelling, offering an intimate glimpse into the critical role of prescribed burns. Beyond reducing fuel loads, these intentional fires breathe life into delicate ecosystems like the southeast's pine savannas, fostering habitats for endangered species such as the gopher tortoise and red-cockaded woodpecker. This captivating journey not only captures the dance of flames on the landscape but also unveils the passionate professionals behind the scenes, dedicated to safeguarding our natural heritage. Join this transformative adventure, igniting a passion for the delicate balance between fire, habitats, and the incredible species that call these landscapes home.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association wholeheartedly supports Martha Williams in her role as the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). In a recent letter to the Administration, a group of concerned scientists called for the resignation or dismissal of Director Williams. They claim she lacks the required scientific and educational background to serve in this position, despite her impressive experience in fisheries and wildlife management and environmental law and policy.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is embarking on an ambitious new effort to establish a Southwest Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Area. If successful, a new conservation area would allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to work with willing landowners to protect the lands most important to our water and wildlife in one of the most biologically diverse regions in our country.
Urban Wildlife Conservation Day, is an annual celebration of nearby nature that invites everyone to connect with the outdoors, from National Wildlife Refuges to local parks. Urban Wildlife Conservation Day was established in 2018 to recognize and celebrate more than 100 urban national wildlife refuges that are within 25 miles of cities and towns across the country.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association congratulates Martha Williams on her confirmation as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Director Williams’ many years of experience in wildlife conservation, policy, and management will serve her well in her tenure leading the National Wildlife Refuge System, the largest and most expansive set of lands set aside for wildlife and habitat in the world.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association has been involved in projects to assist national wildlife refuges and areas beyond their boundaries on the Texas Gulf Coast for many years with an emphasis on conservation planning, community engagement, and land acquisition. In the past, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has been involved with projects focused on the Texas Chenier Plain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, and the Bahia Grande Coastal Corridor benefiting Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.
President Joe Biden has nominated Martha Williams to be the 23rd Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to support Martha Williams, who has been acting as Director since January 20th, and looks forward to supporting her confirmation in the Senate.
President Joe Biden will sign a Proclamation restoring protections to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, the first marine monument in the Atlantic Ocean. This monument, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, protects unique geological features and habitats for whales, puffins, turtles, and deep-sea corals.
