News
Twin Pines Minerals of Birmingham, Alabama originally applied to the State of Georgia and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in July of 2019 for permits to begin strip mining on thousands of acres adjacent to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Opposition to the proposal was so fierce that the permit application was withdrawn.
National Wildlife Refuges are peaceful places. In stressful and unforgiving times, refuges offer rejuvenation and decompression. Respite can be found in nature. I visited Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge last weekend, and it proved to be mentally and physically restorative. Ash Meadows is a unique oasis in the Mojave, offering panoramic views of desert and snow-capped mountains.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on national wildlife refuges. As you know, many national and state parks, national wildlife refuges and other public lands have been closed due to overcrowding to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Be sure to research the status of your local refuge and if you choose to visit wildlife refuges that remain open, remember that they are not at full staffing right now. Please do your part to keep them open by respecting CDC social distancing guidelines and following these measures:
Looking for good books to read about America’s portfolio of public lands and the National Wildlife Refuge System?
You have come to the right blog post! There are dozens of amazing books, hundreds of magazine articles and thousands of blog posts and interesting links about refuges. Here is a list of some of our favorites.
In southern California, the predictable and pleasant weather in the region’s micro-climates means people can get outside for most of the year. It’s not unusual to see beaches and trails full of people in the middle of February, and Griffith Park swarming with tourists and locals alike. But in many areas of Los Angeles, and the increasingly urbanized counties from Ventura to San Diego, other barriers exist that prevent many people in under-resourced communities from getting outside and engaging with nature.
Former Secretaries of the Department of the Interior Babbit and Kempthorne both visited the National Wildlife Refuge Association office to conduct interviews of oral history with our former Board member John Cornely for the USFWS Heritage Committee.
