PORTLAND, Oregon – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has announced Juliette Fernandez as the new chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System in Hawai'i, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and the Pacific Islands, including America Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
“The Pacific Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary natural resources and wildlife, stretching from the Mariana Trench to the Great Basin,” said Hugh Morrison, regional director for the Service’s Pacific Region. “Juliette Fernandez's exceptional leadership abilities, deep expertise in natural resource management, and commitment to fostering inclusive partnerships will be instrumental in ensuring the continued success and vitality of the National Wildlife Refuge System.”
Fernandez is currently the project leader for the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes four refuges along the Columbia River near Vancouver, Washington. Her professional journey has taken her from managing a refuge near her hometown of Nogales on the international border of Arizona and Mexico, to leading projects that prioritize equitable access to green spaces and fostering meaningful connections with diverse communities in urban areas.
Her expertise in natural resource and conservation management has been demonstrated at refuges across the country and in the field, as a regional supervisor for the National Wildlife Refuge System in Arizona and New Mexico and nationally. Throughout her career, Fernandez’s work has been driven by sound science and respect for communities and conservation partners.
"I am truly grateful to join a team that shares a deep commitment to conservation, equity and building lasting connections with our communities,” said Fernandez. “My journey has taught me the power that comes with understanding and embracing our diverse cultures and perspectives. I look forward to learning from the entire team and working side-by-side to protect our iconic public lands and waters and ensure everyone who visits a National Wildlife Refuge feels a sense of belonging and stewardship.”
Fernandez will oversee 67 national wildlife refuges, four marine national monuments and one national monument national monument
A national monument is established by executive order of the president or by Congressional legislation. The Antiquities Act authorizes the president to proclaim “historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest” as national monuments. The National Wildlife Refuge System helps manage two national monuments: Hanford Reach National Monument in Washington state and World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Hawaii, Alaska and California.
Learn more about national monument , two conservation areas, and one waterfowl production area waterfowl production area
Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands within the National Wildlife Refuge System that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for millions of waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. Virtually all waterfowl production areas are in the Prairie Pothole Region states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Learn more about waterfowl production area . Fernandez begins her tenure later this year, working with a team of dedicated wildlife and natural resource management professionals to ensure that the fish, wildlife and plants protected by the National Wildlife Refuge System in the Pacific Region will benefit future generations of Americans.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit https://www.fws.gov/about/region/pacific and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.
