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Happy 119th Birthday To The National Wildlife Refuge System

Happy 119th Birthday To The National Wildlife Refuge System

Today we wish a very happy 119th birthday to the National Wildlife Refuge System!

The National Wildlife Refuge System began in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt created a “Federal Bird Reservation” at Pelican Island in Florida to save brown pelicans. The protection of this three-acre mangrove island was a pivotal moment for the American conservation movement, laying the groundwork for what would become our system of national wildlife refuges.

Refuge & Hatchery Friends Photo Contest February 2022 Winner— Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge & Hatchery Friends Photo Contest February 2022 Winner— Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

For February the winning photo taken by Dale Bales, is of a bison and a fiery red sunset at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, Prairie City, Iowa. Linda Frazier has other photos of the Refuge.

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City, Iowa was established in 1990 with the purpose to protect, restore and reconstruct and manage native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie, oak savanna, and sedge meadow.

Proposed Farallon Islands NWR Mouse Eradication Project Successfully Achieves an Important Milestone

Proposed Farallon Islands NWR Mouse Eradication Project Successfully Achieves an Important Milestone

The National Wildlife Refuge Association joined other environmental and scientific organizations in successfully supporting the proposed mouse eradication project at the December 16, 2021 hearing of the California Coastal Commission. After the seven-hour emotion-laden hearing, the Commission narrowly voted to approve the refuge’s Coastal Consistency Determination for the project.

National Wildlife Refuges with Ties to African American History

National Wildlife Refuges with Ties to African American History

As we celebrate the many contributions of African Americans and African American culture to the United States during National African American History Month in February, let us take a moment to recognize the National Wildlife Refuges with ties to African American history.

Spotlight On Refuge Projects: Tidal Wetlands Restoration Project – first of its kind in Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Spotlight On Refuge Projects: Tidal Wetlands Restoration Project – first of its kind in Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

A multitude of benefits and a model for the future. That’s the result of the recently completed White Slough Tidal Wetlands Restoration Project at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in California.

National Wildlife Refuge Association 2021 Annual Report

National Wildlife Refuge Association 2021 Annual Report

The National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 2021 Annual Report is here, download the full report.

For 46 years, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has worked to support the National Wildlife Refuge System (, our country’s extraordinary network of over 850 million acres of lands and waters set aside for wildlife and their habitats. After nearly 2 years, the pandemic continues to disrupt normal operations everywhere and national wildlife refuges across the country are no exception. Even so, with the help of our incredible supporters and dynamic board and staff, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has adapted to meet these challenges, and we are stronger and more resilient than ever. None of our successes would be possible without our donors and supporters.

Guests Go Wild Over Wild About Wildlife Event in Palm Beach

Guests Go Wild Over Wild About Wildlife Event in Palm Beach

There was Ramen and Rissotto, the alligators and Rivali, Remus and Cass, the hawks and owl who welcomed the approximately 150 guests at the Wild About Wildlife event to benefit the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge Association. The event was held outdoors in the lush gardens at the home of Richard and, Board Member, Dragana Connaughton in Palm Beach.

Refuge & Hatchery Friends Photography Contest

Refuge & Hatchery Friends Photography Contest

The National Wildlife Refuge Association is partnering with Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates to host a monthly photo contest for Refuge and Hatchery Friends groups across the country. The Friends Photo Contest started as an idea by the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates Facebook group last year and has quickly grown in engagement, you can read more about the contest here.

On The Ground In The Greater Everglades Ecosystem & Southwest Florida

On The Ground In The Greater Everglades Ecosystem & Southwest Florida

The National Wildlife Refuge Association has been active on the ground in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem and Southwest Florida. Our work in outreach, conservation science, and land protection has resulted in significant conservation gains to protect the most ecologically significant landscapes in southern Florida, directly benefiting several national wildlife refuges or the landscapes where they are located. Our work has resulted in increased conservation funding and the permanent protection of thousands of additional acres.

A Busy Year Protecting, Promoting, and Enhancing North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges

A Busy Year Protecting, Promoting, and Enhancing North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges

2021 has been a busy and productive year in and around North Carolina’s national wildlife refuges. We made great progress in raising awareness of NC NWRs with Catawba College and the surrounding community of Salisbury, NC by presenting a slide show about the 11 national wildlife refuges in North Carolina with a follow up virtual meeting with the faculty of the Catawba College Center for the Environment faculty. The faculty is receptive to the opportunity of providing college interns for science-based project work on NC NWRs.