Projects and Research

Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species. Refuges deploy a host of scientifically sound management tools to address biological challenges, all aimed at ensuring a balanced conservation approach to benefit both wildlife and people. 

Refuge staff use a variety of habitat management techniques to maintain, recover or enhance plant and wildlife values. Inventory and monitoring, prescribed fire, invasive species control, and standardized wildlife and vegetation surveys are conducted at Bon Secour throughout the year to inventory populations, document habitat use, and manage habitats

Refuge staff conduct a variety of inventory and monitoring studies and welcome external research on the refuge.

Trapping occurs on this refuge. Trapping is a wildlife management tool used on some national wildlife refuges. Trapping may be used to protect endangered and threatened species or migratory birds or to control certain wildlife populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also views trapping as a legitimate recreational and economic activity when there are harvestable surpluses of fur-bearing mammals. On this refuge trapping occurs only as a wildlife management tool and is prohibited for the public. Outside of Alaska, refuges that permit trapping as a recreational use may require trappers to obtain a refuge special use permit. Signs are posted on refuges where trapping occurs. Contact the refuge manager for specific regulations.