News Releases and Refuge Stories

May 21, 2012
Summer Schedule of Facilities

May 19, 2012
45th Annual Antler Auction Results

May 16, 2012
Active Duty U.S. Military Offered Free Entrance to National Wildlife Refuges

May 15, 2012
Refuge Receives High Mark From Visitors

May 2, 2012
May 1 Marked the Start of Two Seasons

News Release and Refuge Stories archive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the National Elk Refuge, administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The mission of the USFWS is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

The National Elk Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the nation's premier system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants. Since President Theodore Roosevelt designated Florida's Pelican Island as the first wildlife refuge in 1903, the System has grown to more than 150 million acres, 556 national wildlife refuges and other units of the Refuge System, plus 38 wetland management districts.

The National Elk Refuge works to provide, preserve, restore, and manage winter habitat for the nationally significant Jackson Elk Herd and habitat for endangered species, birds, fish, and other big game animals, and provide compatible human uses associated with the wildlife and wildlands.

National Elk Refuge Centennial

The National Elk Refuge celebrates its centennial in 2012.

Click here to view a National Elk Refuge centennial multimedia slide show entitled "Celebrating a Century." (3:30 minutes)

Two free public events have been held so far this year to celebrate the Refuge's centennial:

Click here to read an article about a history event that was held on February 20.
Click here to read a news release about the "100 Days to 100 Years Celebration" held on May 2.

National Elk Refuge staff will staff booths at several Jackson events to distribute information and centennial items. These events include:

Jackson EcoFair, May 12
Boy Scout Antler Auction, May 19
Jackson Hole Farmer's Market, July 7

A number of weekend events are also planned for August 10-12, 2012; details on the events will be posted here later in the summer.

Centennial products are available for sale through the Grand Teton Association at the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, located at 532 N. Cache Street in Jackson.



News Releases and Refuge Stories

Click here to visit an archive of National Elk Refuge news releases and Refuge Stories on a variety of topics.

Photo Gallery and Webcams

Click here to view a gallery of photos from the National Elk Refuge.

Webcam at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center
(located at and maintained by the Rustic Inn)



Comprehensive Conservation Planning

The National Elk Refuge is currently in the development stage of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the National Elk Refuge, scheduled to be completed in late 2012.

The Service prepares comprehensive conservation plans for national wildlife refuges and wetland management districts to help fulfill the mission of the Refuge System and manage for the purposes of each refuge and district. These plans address conservation of fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats, and describe opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation that are compatible with refuge and district purposes. Click here to read about the USFWS's Division of Refuge Planning and a CCP's purpose and need.

The National Elk Refuge's CCP will set out the management and use of the refuge for 15 years. The Bison and Elk Management Plan completed in 2007 contains goals, objectives, and strategies for managing bison and elk in the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park for 15 years. Therefore, this CCP will not address bison and elk management on the refuge but will cover all other aspects of refuge management including migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, public use, and cultural resources.

Click here for a direct link to a description, documents, and public involvement related to the development of the National Elk Refuge's CCP.