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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

Preserving Wildlife for Future Generations

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a branch of the U. S. Department of the Interior. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was originally established in 1871 as the U.S. Fish Commission. Over the years the responsibilities and missions of the Service have changed until 1956 when it officially became the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for administration of our nations 540+ refuges that make up the National Wildlife Refuge System as well as the management of our National Fish Hatcheries. The Service also provides law enforcement, federal and research aid, and manages our nation's endangered species populations.

The National Wildlife Refuge System, established in 1903, is a network of land and waterways which are managed specifically with wildlife and habitat conservation in mind. This refuge system is considered the most comprehensive wildlife program in the world. Composed of over 90 million acres, refuges can be found from Alaska to the Florida Keys and include small islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific as well. The character of our nation's refuges is as unique and diverse as the United States itself. These refuges provide vital habitat for over 1000 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, approximately 700 species of birds, and hundreds of species of plants and fish, including many threatened and endangered species.

The mission of the National Fish Hatcheries is to produce fish that can be used to restock areas which have suffered from habitat destruction or overuse. The Service stocks over 160 million fingerlings and larger fish each year. The Service also plays an important role in providing technical assistance and fisheries research.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Northeast Region of the National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses 13 states from Maine to Virginia with more than 100 field offices. Headquarters for the region are located in Hadley, Massachusetts. Our refuges are forests with black bears, rocky beaches with limpets, estuaries filled with blue crabs and striped bass, and wetlands hunted by eagles and marsh hawks. The opportunities for outdoor education are limitless and the experiences unforgettable.  Visit a refuge today and take pride in your public lands!
 

For more information on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit the National Wildlife Refuge System publication library.