National Wildlife Refuges

Are public outdoor recreation activities available at national wildlife refuges?

Yes, recreational activities are offered at national wildlife refuges when they are compatible with a given refuge’s statutory purpose. The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 identifies six priority public uses on refuges: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education and interpretation.… Read More

How are national wildlife refuge different from other federally protected public lands?

Wildlife conservation drives everything on national wildlife refuges, from the purposes for which each refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Each refuge is established to serve a statutory purpose that targets the conservation of native species dependent on those lands and waters. All activities on those acres are reviewed for compatibility with this statutory purpose. For example, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts, established to provide habitat for migratory birds, restricts night beach fishing in spring,… Read More

What is a national wildlife refuge?

A national wildlife refuge… Read More

How many national wildlife refuges are there?

The National Wildlife Refuge System includes 571 national wildlife refuges from Alaska to the Caribbean and Maine to the south Pacific. There is at least one … Read More

Can you tell me about the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a bureau within the Department of the Interior. Our mission is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Although a relative newcomer to the Department of the Interior, the Fish and Wildlife Service's programs are among the oldest in the world dedicated to natural resource conservation. The Service traces its origins to the U.S. Commission on Fish and Fisheries in the Department of Commerce and… Read More

Conservation

Can you tell me about the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a bureau within the Department of the Interior. Our mission is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Although a relative newcomer to the Department of the Interior, the Fish and Wildlife Service's programs are among the oldest in the world dedicated to natural resource conservation. The Service traces its origins to the U.S. Commission on Fish and Fisheries in the Department of Commerce and… Read More

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Can you tell me about the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a bureau within the Department of the Interior. Our mission is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Although a relative newcomer to the Department of the Interior, the Fish and Wildlife Service's programs are among the oldest in the world dedicated to natural resource conservation. The Service traces its origins to the U.S. Commission on Fish and Fisheries in the Department of Commerce and… Read More