The National Wildlife Refuge System, begun by President Theodore Roosevelt to protect birds from voracious commercial hunters, has been such a soaring success that the system will celebrate its 103rd anniversary March 14, less than a year after an Ivory-billed woodpecker, thought extinct, was re-discovered on the protected habitat of a Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana.
The National Wildlife Refuge System has grown into a network of 545 refuges spanning more than 96 million acres. There is at least one 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 in every state and one just an hours drive from nearly every major city.
The National Wildlife Refuge System is home to more than 700 species of birds, 220 mammals, 250 reptiles and amphibians and more than 1,000 fish. Nearly 260 threatened or endangered species are found on national wildlife refuges.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge near Austwell
March 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Guided Van Tours. Visitors will have an opportunity to go out on the tour loop with trained volunteers who will identify wildlife species and discuss natural history and the management of the Refuge. Visitors may see endangered whooping cranes, white-tailed deer, alligators, javelina, armadillo, and a variety of waterfowl and wading birds. Reservations required, call 361-286-3559.
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge near Sabine Pass
March 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Marsh Madness a free day-long event for families filled with discovering wetlands, kayaking, crabbing, duck calling, fishing, crabbing and more. The Refuge is on Highway 87 south of Sabine Pass. Call 409-971-2909.
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge near Lake Jackson
April 6, 7, 8 and 9, various times: Migration Celebration. Gene Sparling, the first person to rediscover the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, a bird thought to be extinct, is the featured speaker on April 7. Weekend includes bird banding demonstrations, nature photography contest, childrens programs, wildflower gardening, tours and more. Visit www.friendsofanahuacnwr.org for more information.
