Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Our Purpose

Every 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 was created for a special purpose. Some were created to protect migratory birds, others to protect threatened or endangered species or unique habitats, while others fulfill another special purpose. All activities allowed on refuges must be evaluated to make sure each activity will not conflict with the reason the refuge was founded.

Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge protects critical habitat for the Indiana bat. The area was acquired by donation as authorized by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 The Endangered Species Act establishes the purpose of the Refuge which is to conserve fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species or threatened species.

Although not part of the refuge purpose, additional reasons cited for establishing Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge were to secure the land where mine entrances were located to prevent unauthorized use of the area and eliminate human disturbance of hibernating bats, prevent the loss of bat habitat, and help maintain and increase the existing bat population with the goal of eventually delisting the Indiana bat.