Rooted in Purpose examines how the National Wildlife Refuge System uses its people, funding and policies to conserve wildlife and fulfill the purposes for which each refuge was established. It identifies practical changes to strengthen field operations and support hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation. Conducted under Director’s Order 230, the review ran from Dec. 16, 2025, through May 15, 2026. It brought reviewers directly to refuges to hear from the people managing habitat, maintaining infrastructure and serving the public. It combined surveys, site visits and direct outreach to employees, retirees, states, tribes, private landowners and hunting and conservation partners.
Those firsthand experiences shaped 29 recommendations to strengthen field operations, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and keep practical habitat management tools available, including prescribed fire, grazing, agriculture, active forest management, invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species control and appropriate predator management.