General

How does a wetland management district differ from a national wildlife refuge?
  1. A national wildlife refuge… Read More
Do you have educational resources related to fish, wildlife and nature that teachers or parents might find useful?

Yes. Check out our learn resources, Refuge Animals From A to Z,… Read More

National Wildlife Refuges

How does a wetland management district differ from a national wildlife refuge?
  1. A national wildlife refuge… Read More
Why are national wildlife refuges important?

Beyond their primary mission of conserving and enhancing land and water for fish, wildlife and plants, national wildlife refuges are important in other ways. They offer healthy, world-class outdoor recreation. They improve air and water quality across the nation. They help lessen the impact of natural disasters on local communities. They reduce the risk of wildfire. They help preserve the nation’s cultural heritage. They add to the nation’s economic well-being. See… Read More

Are cultural and historic resources conserved on national wildlife refuges?

Yes. These resources are managed under the National Historic Preservation Act. There are 10 National Historic Landmarks, 114 National Register-listed properties, 384 paleontological sites, 1,815 historic structures and 15,798 archaeological sites within national wildlife refuges. The Refuge System also manages about 4.5 million museum artifacts. Visit our… Read More

What is Congressionally designated wilderness and how does it relate to the National Wildlife Refuge System?

The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System, which today includes 803 Congressionally designated wilderness areas comprising about 111 million acres in 44 states and Puerto Rico. “A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by… Read More

What should I do if I find an injured or a baby wildlife?

In most cases, birds – even baby birds – don’t need your help. Fledglings (young chicks that have just left the nest) may spend several days on the ground before they are able to fly. Typically, parent birds continue to care for and watch over them. You can help by keeping people and pets away from fledgling birds. Eggs that you find on the ground are unlikely to hatch even if replaced into the nest. Learn more about injured or orphaned wildlife.

Conservation

Are cultural and historic resources conserved on national wildlife refuges?

Yes. These resources are managed under the National Historic Preservation Act. There are 10 National Historic Landmarks, 114 National Register-listed properties, 384 paleontological sites, 1,815 historic structures and 15,798 archaeological sites within national wildlife refuges. The Refuge System also manages about 4.5 million museum artifacts. Visit our… Read More

What is Congressionally designated wilderness and how does it relate to the National Wildlife Refuge System?

The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System, which today includes 803 Congressionally designated wilderness areas comprising about 111 million acres in 44 states and Puerto Rico. “A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by… Read More

Wildlife

What should I do if I find an injured or a baby wildlife?

In most cases, birds – even baby birds – don’t need your help. Fledglings (young chicks that have just left the nest) may spend several days on the ground before they are able to fly. Typically, parent birds continue to care for and watch over them. You can help by keeping people and pets away from fledgling birds. Eggs that you find on the ground are unlikely to hatch even if replaced into the nest. Learn more about injured or orphaned wildlife.