About Us
Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge was set aside "to provide habitat for a broad diversity of bird species, with particular emphasis on protecting the nesting habitat of the bald eagle, tufted puffin, rhinoceros auklet, pigeon guillemot, and pelagic cormorant; to protect the hauling-out area of harbor seals; and to provide for scientific research and wildlife-oriented public education and interpretation".
The effects of years of human use are still evident on Protection Island in roads that scar the land, 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 that compete for key nutrients, and dilapidated structures no longer in use. The current management practices work to reverse these depredations through removal of unused roads and structures, invasive species management, and an increased effort to restore healthy habitats to encourage native plant diversity. Additionally, the Refuge is managed to decrease the ongoing impingement of human activities including efforts to reduce the risk of oil spills, clean up marine debris, and educate boaters about minimizing human-caused wildlife disturbance. The health of the island’s wildlife populations and the effects management activities have on those populations is continuously monitored through periodic surveys.
Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge
Our Mission
The purposes of the Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge are to provide habitat for a broad diversity of bird species, with particular emphasis on protecting the nesting habitat of the bald eagle, tufted puffin, rhinoceros auklet, pigeon guillemot, and pelagic cormorant; to protect the hauling-out area of harbor seals; and to provide for scientific research and wildlife-oriented public education and interpretation.
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.
Other Facilities in this Complex
- Dungeness NWR
- San Juan Islands NWR
- Copalis NWR
- Flattery Rocks NWR
- Quillayute Needles NWR
