News
It's that time of year again! Every year, the National Wildlife Refuge Association honors the exceptional contributions made by the dedicated individuals who support our national wildlife refuges. We are proud to announce the 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards, recognizing the outstanding achievements of refuge managers, employees, volunteers, Friends groups, and advocates.
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.
The National Wildlife Refuge System, the world's largest network of lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation, is facing a staffing crisis that threatens its ability to protect biodiversity and provide recreational opportunities. In response to this dire situation, the National Wildlife Refuge Association is focusing its efforts in the 118th Congress to raise awareness of this issue and secure the necessary funds to sufficiently staff the Refuge System. We recently sent a letter to Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, outlining the work we will be doing with our partners and supporters to advocate for increased funding for the Refuge System to address these challenges.
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.
In November, the National Wildlife Refuge Association continued to advocate for increased appropriations for the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) in fiscal year (FY) 2023. We led a letter signed by 62 organizations, including 17 Refuge Friends organizations, to appropriators requesting at least the funding levels of $574 million included in the House-passed version of the Department of the Interior Appropriations bill, and we signed a group letter requesting increased funding for environmental agencies that goes well above simply keeping pace with inflation.
