John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife Conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System.  It drives everything on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System from the purposed for which a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Learn more about national wildlife refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used.  Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species.

Comprehensive Conservation Planning

The purpose of a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) is to specify a management direction for the refuge for the next 15 years. The goals, objectives, and strategies for improving refuge conditions—including the types of habitat we will provide, partnership opportunities and management actions needed to achieve desired conditions – are described in the CCP.

We released the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Rhode Island NWR Complex in May 2002. This document represents years of work among Federal and State agencies, local and regional officials and communities, conservation organizations, and user groups.

The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (PL 105-57) requires CCPs for each national wildlife refuge. CCPs are 15-year plans designed to provide strategic management direction that best achieves the refuge's purposes; attains the vision and goals developed for the refuge; contributes to the National Wildlife Refuge System mission; addresses key challenges, issues, and relevant mandates; and is consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management.