About Us
Our Mission
Vision
Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge will protect, enhance, and manage high quality habitat for a diversity and abundance of migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife. Through new and existing partnerships, the refuge will foster and practice sound conservation in land management and river flow management to assure the physical and biological integrity of the Roanoke River floodplain.
The refuge will provide compatible wildlife-dependent public use opportunities, including environmental education, interpretation, and recreation. The refuge will provide increased opportunities to learn about the ecological and cultural importance of the Roanoke River floodplain. The refuge will become a national destination, and activities on the refuge will contribute to the local economy.
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 purpose of Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge, as reflected in the refuge’s authorizing legislation, is to protect and conserve migratory birds, and other wildlife resources through the protection of wetlands, in accordance with the following laws:
“...the conservation of wetlands of the Nation in order to maintain the public benefits they provide and to help fulfill international obligations contained in various migratory bird treaties and conventions…” (16 U.S.C., Sec. 3901(b), 100 Stat. 3583) (Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986);
“...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…” (6 U.S.C. Sec 742f(a)4); and
“...for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services…” (16 U.S.C. Sec. 742f(b)1) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956).
Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service developed this Comprehensive Conservation Plan to provide a foundation for the management and use of Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge in Bertie County, North Carolina. The plan is a working guide for the refuge’s management programs and actions.
Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge Habitat Management Plan
This Habitat Management Plan is a step-down plan that provides refinement of the Roanoke River NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan. This plan puts forth more specific guidance for habitat management to support legal mandates, as well as the conservation, management, and, where appropriate, restoration of local, regional, and ecosystem fish, wildlife, and habitat resources.