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Happy 120th Birthday to the National Wildlife Refuge System! Today, we celebrate the incredible accomplishment of creating and maintaining over 560 national wildlife refuges throughout the United States, which provide vital habitats for wildlife, offer outdoor recreation opportunities, and serve as outdoor laboratories for scientific research.
Welcome back to the Refuge Friends Corner! As a supporter of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, you have a fun opportunity to get involved with your local Refuge Friends group and the overall Refuge Friends community. Whether you're passionate about conservation, enjoy spending time in nature, or want to connect with like-minded individuals, joining a Refuge Friends group can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Are you interested in exploring ways to get involved and make a difference for the National Wildlife Refuge System locally? Read on for ideas on how to get involved with the Refuge Friends community.
As far back as she can remember, Lucy Crespo hasn’t liked being indoors. Maybe it’s in her genes: she was born in Argentina, surrounded by forests and mountains, lush grass and plants, and rivers that ran by her home. The air was crisp and sweet, the water clear.
That’s all a distant memory for her now. When she was four years old, Lucy and her family left home in search of a better and more prosperous life, eventually settling thousands of miles away in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Elizabeth, New Jersey is home to skyscrapers, parking lots, and one of the busiest seaports in the eastern United States, but may not immediately come to mind when thinking of a location for bird watching as part of the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count. Appearances can be deceiving though, as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with the Friends of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Groundwork Elizabeth, and the National Wildlife Refuge Association, successfully hosted their third-annual Christmas Bird Count in Elizabeth on December 17, 2022.
America's National Wildlife Refuge System is a beacon of conservation efforts, and the role of Refuge Friends groups is a shining example of what can be accomplished when people come together for a common cause. These groups of dedicated volunteers are the lifeblood of the Refuge System, providing invaluable support in the quest to preserve and manage America's precious wildlife and natural habitats.
As the National Wildlife Refuge Association celebrates its 48th birthday, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the important work this organization has done in protecting, promoting, and enhancing the National Wildlife Refuge System.
As Chair of the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE), the National Wildlife Refuge Association is pleased to announce the addition of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to this important coalition.
But the National Wildlife Refuge System is more than just a collection of protected lands. It is also a community of dedicated individuals and organizations who are committed to supporting the mission of the Refuge System. These groups, known as "Refuge Friends," play a crucial role in the success of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
