PRESS RELEASES
Refuge Association’s Statement On Secretarial Order Enhancing Land and Water Conservation Fund Use
The National Wildlife Refuge Association appreciates Secretary Burgum’s efforts to increase recreational access, enhance connectivity of protected lands, and advance species protection through a new Secretarial Order for implementation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – SO 3442.
National Wildlife Refuge Association Welcomes Brian Nesvik As Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The National Wildlife Refuge Association congratulates Brian Nesvik on his confirmation as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). With deep roots in the conservation and wildlife management community, including service as a game warden and decades-long commitment to field-based stewardship, Director Nesvik brings practical experience and an understanding of America’s sporting and conservation heritage to the role.
Friends of Hagerman Awarded 2025 O’BrienPrize for Refuge Friends
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to award the 2025 O’Brien Prize for Refuge Friends to the Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge for their visionary work launching a citizen science bioacoustic bat monitoring program at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Sherman, Texas.
Announcing the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards, a beloved tradition recognizing exceptional contributions to the National Wildlife Refuge System.
House Funding Bill Chips Away at National Wildlife Refuges with Deep Cuts & Damaging Riders
Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies spending bill— and while it wasn’t the slash-and-burn bill the President had proposed, it would still deliver a severe setback to the National Wildlife Refuge System. The bill proposes a $22 million cut to Refuge System operations and includes a range of dangerous policy riders that would undermine wildlife conservation across the country. On a good note, the bill maintains funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, one of the most important tools for land acquisition.
Conservation Leader Lynn Scarlett Appointed Board Chair of National Wildlife Refuge Association
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is honored to announce the appointment of Lynn Scarlett as Chair of its Board of Directors. The decision was made during the Refuge Association’s June 2025 board meeting, held at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Nampa, Idaho.
National Wildlife Refuge Association Warns Senate Proposal Threatens Public Lands Legacy
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is calling on Senators to remove a controversial provision in their budget reconciliation bill that would mandate the sale of up to 3 million acres of federal public lands. The proposal, advanced by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, would direct the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service to identify and dispose of millions of acres within just five years.
National Wildlife Refuges On The Precipice
As Public Service Recognition Week shines a light on the value of federal service, the National Wildlife Refuge Association is warning that the very people who protect our nation’s wildlife and public lands are under siege. A massive staff departure due to resignations, retirements and fear of a Reduction in Force (RIF), are converging with harmful policy proposals to create a crisis for the National Wildlife Refuge System unlike any in its 122 year history.
Marianne Kelso Lands in Roswell To Lead Conservation Work At Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Something exciting has touched down in Roswell— and this time, it’s not from another planet. The National Wildlife Refuge Association is thrilled to welcome Marianne Kelso as our new biologist at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), where she’s bringing her skills, smarts, and species-saving know-how to southeastern New Mexico’s Pecos River watershed.
National Wildlife Refuge Association Welcomes Natalie Balaguer as South Florida Regional Partnership Specialist
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is thrilled to welcome Natalie Balaguer as our new South Florida Regional Partnership Specialist! Based in her home region, Natalie is already making waves across South Florida by reinvigorating partnerships and stewarding exciting conservation initiatives through the Urban Wildlife Refuge Program.
National Wildlife Refuge Association Condemns Proposed Transfer Of Camas National Wildlife Refuge To State Control
The National Wildlife Refuge Association vehemently opposes the proposed transfer of Camas National Wildlife Refuge, a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, to the State of Idaho. The effort, initiated by the Idaho State Legislature, threatens to dismantle nearly 90 years of conservation progress and opens the door to selling off national wildlife refuges and America’s other public lands to the highest bidder.
Refuge Association Honors Passing of Conservation Legend and Refuge Champion, Raul Grijalva
It is with great sadness that the National Wildlife Refuge Association recognizes the passing of one of the greatest conservationists of our time. Congressman Raul Grijalva, architect of some of the most important conservation laws of our nation, passed yesterday from a long battle with cancer.
Nancy Marshall Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Environmentalist and philanthropist Nancy Marshall received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Wildlife Refuge Association at the organization’s 50th anniversary kickoff celebration. The event was held January 24 at Grand Living in West Palm Beach, Florida. More than 90 guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner, auction, and dancing with entertainment by Bianna Rosarrio. Marshall was lauded for her work in fundraising and program development for the organization.
National Wildlife Refuge Association Congratulates Doug Burgum on Confirmation, Looks Forward to Strengthening the National Wildlife Refuge System Together
The National Wildlife Refuge Association congratulates incoming Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on his confirmation. We look forward to working with him and his team to strengthen the world’s largest system of lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation— the National Wildlife Refuge System.
National Wildlife Refuge Association Celebrates 50 Years of Conservation
2025 marks a momentous milestone for the National Wildlife Refuge Association: 50 years of unwavering support for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1975, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has been the only independent voice solely dedicated to protecting the largest network of lands and waters in the world dedicated to wildlife conservation. For five decades, the Refuge Association has led the charge, uniting passionate individuals, Refuge Friends groups, and policymakers to rally around this system of public lands and waters to ensure its protection for generations to come.
National Wildlife Refuge Association Celebrates the First-Ever National Wildlife Refuge System Employee Appreciation Day
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.
National Wildlife Refuge Association Welcomes Shampa Panda-Bryant to Board of Directors
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Shampa Panda-Bryant to its Board of Directors. She brings a wealth of experience to the Refuge Association, with a focus on natural resource regulations and wildlife conservation. Her expertise will be a valuable asset.
National Wildlife Refuge Association Kicks Off 50th Anniversary In Twin Cities
The board of the National Wildlife Refuge Association kicked off their 50th Anniversary today in Bloomington at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The organization was established in Minneapolis in 1975.
National Wildlife Refuge Association Appoints Desirée Sorenson-Groves As President & CEO
The National Wildlife Refuge Association announced today the appointment of Desirée Sorenson-Groves as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 7th, 2024. Ms. Sorenson-Groves is a proven leader in wildlife conservation with broad executive experience.
Robert Luna Honored As 2024 Refuge Employee Of The Year For His Outstanding Service At Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge
Robert Luna, an Engineering Equipment Operator at Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge in Washington, has been named the 2024 Refuge Employee of the Year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. This award recognizes Robert's exceptional contributions to the refuge, highlighting his innovation, outstanding job performance, and dedication to wildlife conservation.