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Join Us For Our 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards: Inspiring Leadership In Conservation
We are excited to announce that our 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards ceremony is going virtual! The in-person event held on Wednesday, September 14th, 2022 at 7 pm ET will be live-streamed free.
Since 1994, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has presented the Wildlife Refuge Awards to honor the outstanding contributions of Refuge employees, friends, and volunteers. This year, we will celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of awardees in five categories: the Paul Kroegel Refuge Manager of the Year, the Refuge Employee of the Year, the Refuge Volunteer of the Year, the Molly Krival Refuge Friends Group of the Year, and the Refuge Advocate.
Kentucky ‘Pioneer’ Protects Nature, Creates Wildlife Vision
In November 2019, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established just the second National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) fully located in Kentucky. Despite historic opposition to a greater federal presence in the state, the Green River NWR became the Nation’s 568th unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System as a direct result of the exceptional vision and communication of Michael Johnson.
Announcing Our 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards: Honoring Five Awardees for Conservation Accomplishments
Within the hustle and bustle of everyday life lies a world of nature and conservation that is vital to the vibrancy of its surrounding communities. Although many of us have not yet experienced the peace and serenity of a national wildlife refuge, we are all fortunate that there are those who dedicate their lives to the preservation of these wild and unique places.
Spotlight On Refuge Projects: Ocean Exploration Of Pacific Remote National Wildlife Refuges
Ever wonder what lurks under the sea at some of the most remote national wildlife refuges? Well, now you can watch along and find out! During their 2022 E/V Nautilus Expedition, the Ocean Exploration Trust is on an eight-month mission exploring the remote waters of the Central Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Announcing The Winner of the 2022 O’Brien Prize For Refuge Friends
Through the generosity of some of our great Board Members, each year we present a Refuge Friends group with the O’ Brien Prize. Refuge Friends groups are the lifeblood of the National Wildlife Refuge System serving as volunteers and stewards of their local national wildlife refuge. We are pleased to announce the Refuge Friends group that will be receiving the O’Brien Prize, Friends of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Vermont.
Refuge & Hatchery Friends Photo Contest April 2022 Winner— D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives
The April Photo Contest winner was a photo by Les Heiserman of a Canada Goose and six goslings. Les captured the amazing image at the D.C Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives in Spearfish, South Dakota. Nancy Cole, Booth Society Friends Gift Shop Manager, and Assistant Director submitted this winning photo. The pair of geese have been nesting on the island for at least the last 9 years. Visitors to the Hatchery eagerly await their arrival.
Refuge & Hatchery Friends Photo Contest March 2022 Winner— Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
For March the winning photo taken by Bob Glennon is of a bison and a fiery red sunset at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, East Lake, North Carolina.
Bob shared with us captivating photos of the early bloomers at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern North Carolina. These early bloomers will produce the berries the black bears that reside on the refuge. Bob, also captured a great photo of the black bear.
Spotlight On Refuge Projects: Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge Expansion
Bayou Sauvage, at nearly 30,000 acres, is the nation’s second largest urban refuge and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It lies protected mostly within the levees of eastern New Orleans and has long been a favorite of birders, fishers, hunters, crabbers, hikers, bikers, and kayakers. An abundance of wildlife – more than 340 species of birds, including bald eagles, as well as Gulf sturgeon, American alligators, and the occasional west Indian manatee – call the refuge home.
Why Congressional Appropriations Are Important To The National Wildlife Refuge System
The National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses more than 850 million acres of land and waters across America’s 568 National Wildlife Refuges, including 5 Marine National Monuments. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is responsible for managing these lands and is expected to fulfill its obligation to the Refuge System’s 64 million annual visitors and diverse wildlife on a budget of a mere 61¢ per acre per year, a fraction of what other land agencies receive. For comparison, the National Park Service receives $31 per acre for land management.
An Opportunity For Your Refuge Friends Group! 2022 O'Brien Prize Request For Proposals Announced
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is excited to announce the third installment of the O’Brien Prize, an annual award for our Friends groups. The prize is named after Donal O’Brien III, a past Board Chair and longtime enthusiast of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Don is a generous supporter of the great work we do for national wildlife refuges and is very impressed by the dedication and effectiveness of Refuge Friends groups.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.