National Wildlife Refuge Week features scores of festivals and special events that help connect people with nature at the countrys 545 National Wildlife Refuges. The 11th consecutive National Wildlife Refuge Week will be celebrated this year October 8-14 with events in Arizona.
Established in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt designated the three-acre Pelican in Florida as the nations first wildlife refuge, the National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, today encompasses 545 National Wildlife Refuges and more than 3,000 waterfowl production areas across more than 97 million acres.
More than 40 million people each year visit National Wildlife Refuges for close-to-home wildlife-dependent recreation that is second to none.
"National Wildlife Refuges are Americas promise to its citizens that there will always be places where wildlife and wildlife habitats can thrive," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall. "Just as important, the Refuge System offers some of the finest outdoor recreation in the country, from fishing and hunting, to nature photography and nature interpretation.
"One of our most pressing challenges in society today is to teach our children - kids growing up in a digital age - that there is a world of nature beyond the computer and television screen," Hall continued. "National Wildlife Refuges are some of the greatest places to learn the lessons of nature, and National Wildlife Refuge Week is the perfect time to start."
With national wildlife refuges in every state, people in most major metropolitan areas can find unsurpassed opportunities to hunt, fish, photograph and see wildlife within an easy drive of their homes during Refuge Week and throughout the year.
"Our National Wildlife Refuges are among our nations most treasured places," said National Wildlife Refuge System Chief Geoffrey L. Haskett. "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. In many communities, there is a wildlife refuge less than an hours drive from your front door. National Wildlife Refuge Week is a great time for families to find a national wildlife refuge, and the fun they can have together."
Two events are being held in Sasabe, Arizona at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge during National Wildlife Refuge Week. To locate Refuge Headquarters, take highway 86 Ajo Way west Tucson to Three points. Turn south on highway 286. Proceed south for 35 miles to mile post 7.5. Turn east and follow the signs that are provided.
The first event that is being offered is a butterfly and dragonfly nature walk in Brown Canyon on Saturday, October 14from 9 a.m. 2 p.m. This event will be lead by butterfly expert Rich Bailowitz, author of Butterflies of Arizona. It will be a three mile leisurely walk along a sycamore-lined stream in the foothills of the Baboquivari Mountains. Participants will learn the identification and life history of colorful and fascinating butterflies and dragonflies. Anyone interested in this event should call for reservations as group size is limited. Phone: 520-823-4251, extension 108.
The second event that is being offered is a fence removal project to benefit wildlife. It is co-sponsored by Arizona Wildlife Federation. Volunteers will work in beautiful rolling grassland to remove a barbed wire fence to aid deer and pronghorns. This event will also be held on Saturday, October 14, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information call 520-823-4251.
For a more complete listing of Refuge Week events across the country, go to
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/SpecialEvents/FWS_SpecialEvents_Search.cfm"
