Take a paddle or walk through a 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 and observe the fall foliage and fall waterfowl migration. Go for a hunt in the northern woods of Maine, or go surf fishing on the beach in Virginia. Treat yourself to time outdoors during National Wildlife Refuge Week, Oct. 14-20.
“National wildlife refuges do more than just conserve habitat for wildlife,” says Scott Kahan, northeast regional chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System. “They are places where people can enjoy the outdoors, take pictures, hunt, fish and learn about nature. Refuges also provide substantial economic benefits to local communities. By protecting habitat for wildlife and providing environmental education and wildlife-dependent recreation activities, the National Wildlife Refuge System helps conserve a legacy of abundant and healthy wild lands for future generations to enjoy.”
Visitors to refuges like what they find, according to a study this year by the U.S. Geological Survey. Of the nearly 1,900 adult participants that were surveyed in the Northeast, about 90 percent reported satisfaction with refuge recreation, information and education, public service and conservation. “Nowhere else do I feel such a deep sense of connection with the land, the plants, and the wildlife,” offered one respondent. “Visiting a refuge is truly a spiritual experience.”
Among the most popular activities for the six million visitors to Northeast refuges last year were bird watching, hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography.
The seventy-seven national wildlife refuges in the Northeast Region encompass 500,000 acres from Maine to Virginia. There is a refuge in each of the 13 states in the Service’s Northeast Region, as well as within an hour’s drive of most major cities.
For events taking place throughout the region, please check the special events calendar. Among the events planned:
- Oct. 12, Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, NJ 6:30p.m: Kick off National Wildlife Refuge Week with a family campfire and nature sing-along. Volunteer naturalists will lead several nature hikes.
- Oct. 13, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, NY 10a.m. to noon: Visit the refuge for a fall waterfowl migration field trip. An experienced birding team will lead visitors to many of the best sites on the refuge and surrounding areas.
- Oct. 16, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, VA 3:30p.m: Head to the refuge for an electrofishing demonstration by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Learn about the different fish species found at Back Bay.
