About Us

Our Mission

Vision

Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge will play a vital role in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The refuge will establish a presence in the local community by partnering with agencies, developing research groups, and organizing friends groups and volunteers. The refuge will conserve and manage fish and wildlife species, such as threatened and endangered species, species of management concern, and interjurisdictional fish. Refuge staff and volunteers will protect the diverse habitats typical of the mid-Atlantic coastal ecosystem within which the refuge is situated, including coastal fringe forest, estuarine marsh, and longleaf pine savanna and fish nursery areas. Through active enhancement and management, the refuge will provide high-quality, mid-Atlantic, coastal habitat for migratory birds and other priority species. The Service l encourages visitors to the refuge to participate in compatible wildlife-dependent recreational activities. Working with others, Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge staff, partners, and volunteers will manage and protect the refuge’s natural resources to conserve a legacy of fish, wildlife, and plants for people to experience and appreciate in the years to come.

Refuge Purpose(s)

Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established to serve a statutory purpose that targets the conservation of native species dependent on its lands and waters. All activities on those acres are reviewed for compatibility with this statutory purpose.

­The purposes of Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, as reflected in the legislation under which Congress authorized the refuge and the Service has acquired land, is to protect and conserve migratory birds, and other wildlife resources through the protection of wetlands, in accordance with the listed laws.

“...for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds..." 16 U.S.C. Sec. 664 (Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929);

“…for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources…” 16 U.S.C. Sec 742f(a)(4)

“…for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services. Such acceptance may be subject to

the terms of any restrictive or affirmative covenant, or condition of servitude…” 16 U.S.C. 742f(b)(1) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956).