This week, former Secretaries of the Department of the Interior Babbitt and Kempthorne visited the National Wildlife Refuge Association office to conduct interviews of oral history with our former Board member John Cornely for the USFWS Heritage Committee.

Secretary Babbitt did many extraordinary things for the National Wildlife Refuge System. One that we at the National Wildlife Refuge Association are particularly proud of is Secretary Babbitt’s continued support in the fight for Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge against a potential titanium mine.

During Secretary Kempthorne’s leadership we saw the establishment of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument and support of the USFWS to list the Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) as a threatened species accelerating efforts to protect the iconic species.

It was such a pleasure to meet with both former Secretaries and discuss the accomplishments they made for the National Wildlife Refuge System.