What We Do
Managing a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge isn't all about the glamour of releasing wolves or visiting remote wilderness. In fact, very little of it is. Most of the work involves managing the habitat. It's about clearing vegetation from water control structures and pulling 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 . It's about running backhoes and cutting trees. It's about create the special conditions so that others can visit remote wildernesses and see wolves.
At McKay Creek NWR, our biggest concern is management of invasive species, such as yellow starthistle. However, due to staffing and funding levels, there is very little active management ongoing. Sometimes, sensitive areas are closed to the public so that the land can recover more quickly.