What We Do
The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge.
Refuges use a wide range of land management tools based on the best science available. At Little River National Wildlife Refuge, foresters are using silvicultural treatments (timber sales) to manage the forested habitat. The restoration and management of the forested habitat within the refuge is important to maintain a healthy productive forest that supports sustainable populations of forest dependent wildlife species. The forest management actions being taken on the refuge will ensure the diversity and abundance of wildlife on the refuge for present and future generations.
The refuge actively manages 300 acres of wetlands. The water levels in these wetlands are managed passively by rainfall and water control structures. The forested wetlands provide habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and a host of other wetland-dependent wildlife species. Duck Roost Slough has an observation deck overlooking the wetland, and it is a popular destination for viewing waterfowl and wading birds.
Trapping is a wildlife management tool used on Little River National Wildlife Refuge to control the feral hog population. Trapping may be used to protect species of importance or to control certain wildlife populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also views trapping as a legitimate recreational and economic activity when there are harvestable surpluses of fur-bearing mammals. Outside of Alaska, refuges that permit trapping as a recreational use may require trappers to obtain a refuge special use permit. Signs are posted on refuges where trapping occurs.
Laws and Regulations
Guided by the founding principles of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and the mission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, we aim to protect wildlife and habitat and make refuges safe places for staff and visitors, conserve America’s natural resources for now and in the future, and exemplify excellence in public service to all.