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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Launches Review of the National Wildlife Refuge & Fish Hatchery Systems: What We Know and How to Engage
USFWS announced a review of the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System on December 16th, 2025. Here’s what the review will consider and how partners and individuals can share feedback.
A Love Letter to the Refuge System’s Greatest Strength: You
I’ve been thinking a lot about the recent government shutdown—and more importantly, about all of you.
This isn’t a typical thank-you message. It’s a love letter. A letter of deep gratitude and profound respect for every person who helped carry our national wildlife refuges through yet another incredibly difficult time.
Reflections from Lower Klamath: Waters That Shaped Us, Futures We Must Protect
Mount Shasta, snow-covered, loomed in the background. Stretched out before me, marshlands sparkled, and hundreds of white-faced ibis, Wilson’s phalaropes, black-necked stilts, and long-billed dowitchers brought the landscape alive as they twirled, probed, and pranced in pursuit of breakfast. Hundreds (maybe a thousand) red-winged blackbirds winged overhead. The site? Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge that straddles the Oregon-California border.
Congress Heads Home: Time To Advocate For Your Refuge
As August approaches, so does a key opportunity for Friends groups across the country to make a big impact. On August 2, Congress will begin its annual summer recess—a four-week period when lawmakers return to their home districts. This is a golden opportunity for you to engage with your elected officials directly in their local offices or, better yet, at your national wildlife refuge.
$500 Million for Refuge Disaster Relief—Thanks to Your Advocacy!
Big news for national wildlife refuges! Congressional leaders just released a funding bill to keep the government running through March 14, 2025 (coincidentally the anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System!). But even more exciting, this bill includes $500 million for disaster relief to repair national wildlife refuges damaged by hurricanes, floods, and severe storms.
Connecting With The Annual Christmas Bird Count
The 125th Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is here! Running from December 14, 2024, to January 5, 2025, this beloved tradition invites bird lovers to join one of the world’s longest-running wildlife surveys. Organized by the National Audubon Society, the CBC began in 1900 as a conservation-friendly alternative to holiday bird hunts. Many national wildlife refuges fall within CBC count circles, making it a fun and meaningful way to support wildlife and collect valuable bird data. Join a local count or tally birds from your feeder and contribute to understanding bird populations around your favorite refuge!
Welcome To The Willamette Valley Conservation Area: The 572nd Jewel in the National Wildlife Refuge System
Discover the newest addition to the National Wildlife Refuge System, the Willamette Valley Conservation Area in Oregon. As part of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, this conservation area is home to diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, grasslands, and oak woodlands, which support a wide range of wildlife, such as the Dusky Canada Goose and Fender’s Blue Butterfly. Learn about the collaborative efforts, including contributions from tribal nations, to protect and restore these vital habitats. Although not yet open to the public, future plans promise opportunities for people to connect with nature in this remarkable landscape.
Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge Honored Nationally
The Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, a dynamic and dedicated Refuge Friends organization, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Molly Krival Award – Refuge Friends Group of the Year. This honor recognizes their outstanding contributions to community engagement and conservation at Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge (fws.gov/refuge/hackmatack), which spans Illinois and Wisconsin.
Engineering Equipment Operator Robert Luna Receives 2024 Refuge Employee of the Year Award
Robert Luna knows Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge better than anyone else. As an engineering equipment operator for more than 33 years, Luna has dedicated his life to maintaining the refuge and improving its habitat for plants and animals. In recognition of his innovation, passion, and diligence, Luna was named the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Refuge Employee of the Year.
Turtles in Trouble: Giving Leatherback Sea Turtles A Fighting Chance
Leatherback Sea Turtles, the largest turtles in the world, are facing significant threats from climate change, habitat loss, and artificial lighting. These ocean giants, known for their incredible migration journeys, rely on a few crucial nesting sites to lay their eggs. The Refuge System plays a vital role in protecting these habitats. Discover how you can help protect Leatherback Sea Turtles and support our conservation initiatives.
Celebrating the 2024 O'Brien Prize for Refuge Friends Grantee: Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
We are excited to announce the recipient of the 2024 O'Brien Prize for Refuge Friends grantees, the Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge! This annual prize recognizes the outstanding contributions of Refuge Friends groups whose projects foster deeper connections with their communities while enhancing the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Monarchs On The Move: The Epic Journey of Survival For Nature’s Tiny Titans
As spring transitions to summer, one of nature’s most captivating spectacles begins – the migration of the Monarch Butterfly. In honor of Endangered Species Day on Friday, May 17th, our Refuges For Recovery campaign spotlights the Monarch Butterfly, a species whose remarkable journey and delicate beauty underscore the urgency of conservation efforts in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Nurturing the Next Generation of Conservationists: New Internship Program at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Catawba College, establishing a unique internship program at the breathtaking Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. This collaboration embodies a shared commitment to cultivating the next generation of conservation leaders and safeguarding the future of our natural treasures.
Protecting Our National Wildlife Refuges On Earth Day 2024: A Call to Action Against Plastic Pollution
From majestic mountains to coastlines, the National Wildlife Refuge System protects vast ecosystems across our nation, both on land and sea. Yet, a threat disrupts the delicate balance in these sanctuaries: plastic pollution. This year's Earth Day theme, Planet vs. Plastic, underscores the global struggle against this pervasive environmental contaminant.
Landmark Expansion For 4 National Wildlife Refuges With Help From The National Wildlife Refuge Association
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently shared some good news for conservation efforts throughout the United States. Four national wildlife refuges have been expanded, protecting up to 1.13 million acres of newly protected wildlife habitat across New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas. This announcement is particularly exciting for the National Wildlife Refuge Association, which played a significant role in expanding two critical refuges in Texas - Aransas and Big Boggy NWRs. The other two refuges that received expansions are Roanoke River NWR in North Carolina and Muleshoe NWR, which spans the border between New Mexico and Texas.
The 2024 O’Brien Prize for Refuge Friends Groups: Apply Today!
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is excited to announce the opening of the application period for our 2024 O’Brien Prize for Refuge Friends Groups. The O’Brien Prize is a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding achievement by Refuge Friends groups in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Happy 121st Birthday to the National Wildlife Refuge System, and Welcome Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area!
This year, we celebrate a momentous occasion: the 121st birthday of the National Wildlife Refuge System! For over a century, this incredible network of lands and waters has served as a beacon of conservation, protecting a staggering array of wildlife and providing cherished outdoor experiences for millions.
Soaring Back From The Brink: The Story Of The California Condor
Imagine the vast expanse of the California sky, dotted with the silhouettes of majestic birds with nine-foot wingspans. These were the California Condors, once soaring freely across the continent, playing a critical role in their ecosystems. But tragedy struck, and their numbers plummeted to the brink of extinction. Today, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, they are slowly reclaiming their rightful place in the sky, and the National Wildlife Refuge System plays a vital role in their remarkable comeback.
Celebrate 30 Years of Refuge Heroes: Nominate for the 2024 Wildlife Refuge Awards!
It's a momentous year for the National Wildlife Refuge Association and our nation's wildlife wonders! As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Wildlife Refuge Awards this year, we proudly announce the opening of nominations for 2024. These prestigious awards honor the extraordinary individuals who dedicate their lives to protecting and conserving the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The Wildlife Toll: Why Continuing Resolutions Fall Short For The National Wildlife Refuge System
The National Wildlife Refuge System stands as a stronghold for biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions supporting climate resiliency and conserving the delicate balance of nature. However, the ongoing challenge of funding through continuing resolutions poses a significant threat to the thriving wildlife that calls these national wildlife refuges home.