For the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) info, check our update.
Recreate Responsibly
(Illustration: Sara Wolman/USFWS) We need your help to maintain public safety at national wildlife refuges during the Covid-19 pandemic. Not sure how to #RecreateResponsibly? Here are some wildlife behaviors we would be smart to follow. See our story.
Find a Refuge
Plan Your Visit
Public Lands and Waters
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 waters dedicated to conserving America’s rich fish and wildlife heritage.
-
Wildlife Conservation
Refuges deploy a host of scientifically sound management tools to address biological challenges. Tools range from water management to wilderness character monitoring.
-
Great Recreation
Refuges offer people access to a range of popular activities that depend on thriving fish and wildlife populations. These include hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography and education.
-
Part of Local Communities
Through partnerships, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service leads the way in developing community-driven conservation solutions that reap ecological and economic benefits for fish, wildlife and people.
Services
We offer a wealth of tools and resources for the people we serve.
Get Involved
-
Volunteers
Gain new experiences and meet new people while helping to advance wildlife conservation.
-
Friends
Join neighbors in helping refuges restore habitat and expand access to green space.
-
Urban Communities
Find out how urban residents can work with refuges to better their communities.
-
Youth
Explore paid and unpaid opportunities to develop leadership skills.
American black bear at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge in Maine. (Photo: Keith
Ramos/USFWS)