About Wildlife Refuges

Updated September 28, 2026

About Us

The National Wildlife Refuge System lands and waters serve a purpose distinct from that of other U.S. public lands: Wildlife conservation drives everything on national wildlife refuges, from the purposes for which each refuge was established, to the recreational activities offered, to the resource management tools used.

Our Mission

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Our History

On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, along Florida’s Atlantic coast, as the first unit of what would become the National Wildlife Refuge System.

What We Do

Public Lands and Waters Conservation

Founded by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 and administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System is a diverse network of lands and water dedicated to conserving America’s rich fish and wildlife heritage.

This network protects some of the country’s most iconic ecosystems and the fish and wildlife that rely on them: prairies of the heartland, teeming with native pollinators and bison; hardwood forests of the Southeast, a source of regional and cultural pride; desert Southwest landscapes, home to vibrant and rare plant communities that draw new life during the summer monsoon season. The Refuge System also conserves waterways that give life to all of them — critical ecosystems along rivers, streams, wetlands, coasts and marine areas.

By the Numbers

96 million land acres
760 million marine acres
50 states
5 U.S. territories
More than 570 national wildlife refuges
38 wetland management districts
5 marine national monuments
63 refuges with wilderness areas
1,000+ miles of wild and scenic rivers

A white seabird called a Laysan albatross tends a smaller brown chick at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the Pacific. — A Laysan albatross tends a chick at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the Pacific.

Great Recreation

Opportunities for outdoor recreation draw millions of people each year to national wildlife refuges, boosting local economies. Many visitors take part in heritage sports such as hunting and fishing. Others enjoy hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing or nature photography. All these activities offer visitors a chance to unplug from the stresses of modern life and reconnect with their natural surroundings.

By the Numbers

67.03 million annual visits
42.17 million birders and wildlife observers
2.15 million nature program attendees
2.63 million annual hunting visits
8.61 million annual fishing visits
4,197 miles of public trails and boardwalks, water and snow included
7,352 lane miles of public roads

Fishing in a river at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. — Fishing at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

Community-Driven Wildlife Conservation

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to fish and wildlife conservation. National Wildlife Refuge System teams work to understand individual conservation issues as they affect the interests of local communities and groups. Then they customize approaches to address these needs to help fish, wildlife and people.

By the Numbers

15,301 volunteers
818,828 volunteer hours served
180 Friends groups
101 urban wildlife refuges
32 partnerships in cities

Kids in Sunday clothes with hands over heart in front of sign that says Welcome to Your National Wildlife Refuge — Mountain View Elementary School students recite the pledge of allegiance at a 2012 ceremony establishing Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, just outside Albuquerque, New Mexico. USFWS Photo

Management and Conservation

In 2010, the National Wildlife Refuge System embarked on journey to strategically and collaboratively address the mounting challenges faced in conserving America’s wild plants, fish, animals and their habitats in a rapidly changing world.

In 2011, after 18 months of study and public conversation about conservation and the future of the Refuge System, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a publication titled Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation. Since then, Conserving the Future, which included 24 recommendations, has been the guiding vision for the Refuge System.

The primary goal of Conserving the Future is to use scientific excellence at a broad, landscape scale for the benefit of a diverse American public while nurturing the next generation of conservation leaders.

Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next GenerationPDF0 BFebruary 9, 2022

Kayakers navigating a swamp full of trees and lily pads.

Visit a Refuge

America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes give U.S. citizens and visitors an affordable and convenient way to access federal recreational lands. Find out more about what passes are available.

Get a recreation pass Learn about how to get involved

Our Programs

A bright orange sky with a setting sun with a pond and vegetation in the foreground

Lands and Realty

Realty implements the Refuge System’s mission by collaborating with states, local governments, and landowners to conserve wildlife habitat and expand opportunities for public recreation, including hunting and fishing. Realty also includes cartography, land surveying, and permitting of rights-of-way.

A bison grazing in the foreground with mountains and a city and electrical infrastructure in the background

Urban Wildlife Conservation

The Urban Wildlife Conservation Program expands access to green space, education and outdoor recreation for Americans living in and around cities and suburbs.

A person stands near the top of a tall ladder in a remote area surrounded by trees and greenery.

Natural Resource Program Center

The National Wildlife Refuge System coordinates an interdisciplinary science team to inform planning and management decisions for frontline managers. By integrating findings from numerous scientific fields — including wildlife biology, air quality and human dimensions — managers can better address complex management challenges.

Coastal Program

The Coastal Program is one of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s most effective resources for restoring and protecting fish and wildlife habitat on public and privately-owned lands.

A large flock of snow geese swirling in unison as they descend upon a prairie wetland

Conservation Planning and Policy

The National Wildlife Refuge System is the nation’s largest collection of public lands and waters conserved for fish and wildlife. Planning is essential to ensure that the Refuge System meets this conservation commitment.

White-suited people collect samples on an oil-tarred beach in Louisiana.

Contaminants Mitigation

Environmental contaminants experts within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ensure that environmental cleanups of polluted lands and waters minimize toxicological and ecological risks and restore the site to a safe and inhabitable conditio

A crane operator lowers a bridge into place while a coworker on the ground adjusts the placement.

Infrastructure Management

Our infrastructure portfolio drives local economic activity and supports every recreation and conservation activity that takes place on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands. Infrastructure and the Service maintenance workforce are the foundation of almost everything that occurs within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Flood waters cover New Jersey coastland after a hurricane.

Emergency Management and Physical Security

Emergency management is a key part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission of protecting fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Our emergency management experts provide strategy and support in preparing for and responding to natural and man-made disasters.

An old stone A-framed building in a high desert landscape with an old mill next to it

Historic Preservation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conserves more than just flora and fauna at America’s national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. As mandated under the National Historic Preservation Act, the Fish and Wildlife Service also conserves tens of thousands of archaeological and historic sites, sacred and traditional areas and scientifically-important museum collections that reflect the long and diverse history and traditions of our nation.

A firefighter is silhouetted in the dark walking along a fireline with orange flames in the background

Fire Management

Fire is a natural and essential component of many ecosystems. When managed properly, it serves as an effective tool for maintaining and restoring ecological balance. By integrating fire into land management practices, we’re supporting biodiversity and sustaining resilient ecosystems for wildlife and people.

The sun in a crystal clear blue shy over a piece of land jutting into water

Air Quality

Maintaining good air quality is important not only for human health but also for the health of natural resources. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitors air quality in selected sites to minimize harm from human-caused air pollution to wildlife and sensitive wildlife habitat on national wildlife refuges.

A law enforcement officer standing in his truck in a desert setting looking through binoculars

Refuge Law Enforcement

Guided by the founding principles of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, federal wildlife officers protect wildlife and habitat and make refuges safe places for staff and visitors; conserve America’s natural resources; and seek to exemplify excellence in public service to all.

Gisela Chapa, then-manager of Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, helps elementary school students plant a pollinator garden.

Visitor Experience and Community Engagement

The Division of Visitor Services and Communications manages opportunities for outdoor recreation that draw millions of people each year to national wildlife refuges, boosting local economies.

Two smiling men standing in a field of tall grass shake hands.

Partners for Fish and Wildlife

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides free technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools and nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat on their land.

Friends of the Refuge Headwaters holding tree tubes outside.

Friends Partnerships

A Friends partnership is made up of a 501( c)(3) nonprofit Friends organization and a national wildlife refuge or national fish hatchery.

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a federal agency within the Department of the Interior. We are happy to hear from you and will make every effort to respond quickly to your question or comments.

Most U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service headquarters staff who do not meet daily with leaders at the Department of the Interior or Congressional staff work at a satellite building in Falls Church, Virginia.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service satellite headquarters is located at Skyline Technology Center 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. Primary access is by car or municipal bus. There is no direct Metro rail access to the Skyline building area.

Mailing Address

1849 C Street NW, Room 3349

Washington,DC,20240-0001

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