What We Do
Our Services
Land Acquisition
The National Wildlife Refuge System grows through the conservation of fee-title and easement acquisitions from willing sellers within approved acquisition boundaries. The realty team works to achieve the greatest conservation return on investment and acquires only the minimum interest necessary to meet fish and wildlife conservation objectives. When land is acquired in fee title, the Service often can provide wildlife-dependent public recreation such as hunting and fishing.
Migratory Bird Conservation Fund Returns
Revenue from the sale of federal Duck Stamps and import duties on arms and ammunition is deposited in the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund for conservation of important waterfowl habitat. The fund generates an average $750 million per year. The realty division chief is also secretary of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, and realty staff support the commission. Staff prepare land acquisition proposals and coordinate presentations and meetings for the commission.
Land and Water Conservation Fund Returns
Congress created the Land and Water Conservation Fund to fulfill a bipartisan commitment to safeguard America’s natural areas and provide public outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. Revenue from offshore oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf are deposited in the Land and Water Conservation Fund — the largest source of federal money for parks and wildlife.
BY THE NUMBERS
$1.4 billion Migratory Bird Conservation Fund dollars have protected more than
- 5.7 MILLION acres
- 240 MIGRATORY bird refuges
- 206 WATERFOWL production areas
$1.6 billion in Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars have protected
- nearly 1.6 MILLION acres
- 300 NATIONAL WILDLIFE refuges.
