Patuxent Research Refuge Public Conservation Planning Overview

Why Do We Need a Plan?

The purpose of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan is to develop proposed actions that best achieve the refuge’s purposes; attain the vision and goals developed for refuges; contribute to National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System, NWRS) mission; address key challenges, issues and relevant mandates; and are consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management.

Specifically, the Plan is needed to:

Provide a clear statement of refuge management direction;
Provide refuge neighbors, visitors, and government officials with an understanding of Service management actions on and around the refuge;
Ensure that Service management actions, including land protection and recreation/education programs, are consistent with the mandates of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and
Provide a basis for the development of budget requests for operations, maintenance, and capital improvement needs.

Establishing Purpose:

Established in 1936 by executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Patuxent Research Refuge is the Nation's only National Wildlife Refuge established to support wildlife research.

CCP Process:

Conduct Preplanning
Conduct Public Scoping
Prepare Draft CCP
Hold Public Meetings with Review and Comment Period
Create Final CCP
Approve Finding of No Significant Impact
Implement and Monitor the CCP over 15 Years
Review & Revise the Plan within 15 Years

We Need You!

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites you to participate in the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) planning process for the Patuxent Research Refuge. Currently, we are in the Preplanning Stage for the CCP gathering information and data to begin evaluating the past, present, and future of the Patuxent Research Refuge. Following the Preplanning Stage, we will begin Public Scoping where we will hold meetings and take comments on what the public sees as the issues, concerns, and challenges for the Refuge over the next 15 years. After Public Scoping, we will then review all the information, data, and comments gathered from all the sources (e.g., from the public, partners, other governmental agencies, organizations, and local businesses) and begin drafting a 15-year management plan. Once a draft is complete, we will go back to the public for review and comment.