Today we wish a very happy 119th birthday to the National Wildlife Refuge System!
The National Wildlife Refuge System began in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt created a “Federal Bird Reservation” at Pelican Island in Florida to save brown pelicans. The protection of this three-acre mangrove island was a pivotal moment for the American conservation movement, laying the groundwork for what would become our system of national wildlife refuges.
Today, 568 national wildlife refuges exist across the country, with at least one in every U.S. state and territory. Although some are in remote areas, others are within an hour’s drive of many major cities, enabling millions of Americans to visit and cherish their natural heritage up close.
Our national wildlife refuges are home to more than 700 types of birds, 220 varieties of mammals, 250 kinds of reptiles and amphibians, 1,000 species of fish, and countless invertebrates and plants. They provide havens for some 513 endangered species, from the Florida panther to the polar bear.
National wildlife refuges truly are an American treasure and belong to all of us. There’s no better way to celebrate the Refuge System’s birthday than by heading outside and visiting your local national wildlife refuge. Find a national wildlife refuge close to you >>