For Educators
Calling all 4th graders and 4th grade teachers! Have you heard about the Every Kid in a Park program? A special pass is available to 4th grade students that covers entrance fees to all federal lands. Check out the Every Kid in a Park website for more information!
Every Kid in a Park!About the NWRS
The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife, and plants.
Learn more about the NWRS
What's Happening
September 19, 2016Night surf fishing is back! Permits are currently available at either the Visitor Contact Station or Refuge Headquarters starting Monday, September 19. Please call ahead to be sure someone is available to sell a permit. Check out the event page for more details.
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September 27, 201682 of 87 eggs hatched out of Nest #2! These hatchlings emerged at a time when there were no nest-sitters present, perhaps during the rains and floods of the third week in September. Fortunately we know a large majority of these turtles successfully emerged from the nest. Thank you to our volunteers who make our sea turtle program possible!
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program is assisting with a Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Project. This project will provide shoreline stabilization through living shorelines, reforestation of natural areas and restoration of wetland hydrology in several sites in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. Restoration at Back Bay NWR will include shoreline stabilization at the Visitor Contact Station and Horn Point kayak/canoe launch.
More Information
We have added a new feature to our website! Check out the eBird Trail Tracker to see what sightings have been seen recently at the refuge!
eBird Trail Tracker
Sometimes called sea hawks, ospreys are fish-eating raptors common to shorelines and coasts. They are often seen perched in large nests built of sticks or hunting over shallow waters. These birds carry their prey head-first from the water to a nearby area (such as a telephone pole or other structure) to feed.
Learn more
Page Photo Credits — Sunset on Back Bay, Larry Wilcox, Tundra Swans/Roger Roberts
, Tundra swan/USFWS, American bittern/Alex Monday (2013), All photos courtesy of USFWS unless otherwise noted.
Last Updated: Sep 30, 2016
Events
National Public Lands Day!
September 24, 2016National Public Lands Day is a great opportunity to participate in a beach cleanup or a free fishing clinic!
Events InformationExplorer Backpacks
April 01, 2014Check out a pack and explore your national wildlife refuge! Packs must be returned the same day they are checked out.
Learn More