Today the National Wildlife Refuge System celebrates its 100th birthday, marking a century of wildlife conservation on 95 million acres of prime wildlife habitat on 540 refuges in all 50 states, including Wisconsin.
You can discover wonders of nature at the five wildlife refuges in Wisconsin with a computer, an Internet connection and a few mouse clicks. The "National Wildlife Refuge Centennial Safari" is an Internet treasure hunt that welcomes you to go online and explore the Web sites of Wisconsins wildlife refuges as well as its wetland management districts, national fish hatcheries, ecological services field offices and other offices managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service--and test your knowledge by answering questions based on what you have learned.
When you successfully complete the Centennial Safari, you will be rewarded with a certificate of achievement that can be printed and will hopefully inspire you to go out and see these special places in person.
To start you armchair adventure, go to http://midwest.fws.gov/treasurehunt/ There youll find questions like, "What activities you can do when you visit Necedah National Wildlife Refuge?", "What species of fish are raised at the Iron River National Fish Hatchery?" and "Where does the Service get the money to purchase waterfowl production areas?"
To help you answer these questions and discover the hidden treasures of the Fish and Wildlife Services many special areas in Wisconsin, the treasure hunt provides links to those stations" Web sites. All the information needed to answer the questions is just one or two mouse "clicks" away within each Web site.
The Fish and Wildlife Service staffs five of eight refuges and two wetland management districts in Wisconsin. These wildlife sanctuaries conserve some 200,000 acres of Wisconsins diverse natural areas for hundreds of species of fish, migratory birds, waterfowl, bald eagles, and countless other wildlife and plants. Nearly two million people visit Wisconsins refuges annually to participate in the states valued outdoor traditions of hunting and fishing, and other activities including wildlife viewing and photography.
The Service also manages two national fish hatcheries, three fishery resources offices, a fish health center, a private lands office and an ecological services field office in Wisconsin. Service activities in Wisconsin include managing and restoring lake trout populations, preserving imperiled freshwater mussels, and conserving habitat for the endangered Karner blue butterfly.
In 1903, Theodore Roosevelt established the first 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 , 5-acre Pelican in Floridas Indian River Lagoon. The refuge system has grown to encompass more than 95 million acres of prime habitat for wildlife. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System is the only network of federal lands set aside for wildlife conservation.
National wildlife refuges form a series of stepping stones for migratory wildlife such as ducks and geese, as well as thousands of other birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and plant species. Many national wildlife refuges were established along the four migratory bird flyways to provide crucial stopovers for birds to rest, feed, breed and recharge during their long migrations.
More than 400 national wildlife refuges are open to the public, offering a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, environmental education, wildlife observation and photography and making them special places for Americans to connect with nature. Many refuges also offer opportunities for nature hikes, bird tours, wildlife drives and other activities.
For those who want to get outside and explore one of Wisconsins wildlife refuges, individual Fish and Wildlife Service offices around the state will be sponsoring on-site treasure hunts throughout the year. Check with your nearest refuge or other Service office for details.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
