News
The Izembek National Wildlife Refuge needs your voice! The Department of the Interior is currently in the process of once again potentially allowing a road to be built through the heart of this internationally-renowned wilderness. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is accepting public comments from individuals and organizations on this process no later than June 20, 2023.
The state of Florida has just conserved more than 3,068 acres of rural ranchland along the Kissimmee River in Highlands County. The conservation easement was secured by the Florida Conservation Group, partnering with the National Wildlife Refuge Association and the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Florida Cabinet unanimously approved the purchase on May 23, 2023. We are proud to be a part of this land conservation victory.
Happy Endangered Species Day! On this special day dedicated to endangered species, we gather to celebrate the profound significance of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act—a milestone that underscores our commitment to protecting and preserving our imperiled wildlife. As we explore the importance of these national wildlife refuges, we find inspiration in the teachings of those who have urged us to embrace a land ethic—a transformative perspective that recognizes the interconnectedness and intrinsic value of all species. Let us delve into the significance of the Refuge System and the crucial role it plays in nurturing species, especially those threatened and endangered.
The Department of the Interior issued a Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a potential land exchange in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge that would allow the construction of a road.
World Migratory Bird Day is a global celebration of the incredible journeys birds make each year as they travel thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. This year's theme is water, which is fitting since migratory birds rely heavily on aquatic ecosystems throughout their life cycles.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association recently joined forces with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to offer a National Friends Workshop, which took place from April 28th to May 1st, 2023. This workshop brought together Refuge and Hatchery Friends groups, nonprofits that support specific national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. These groups play a crucial role in the success of the National Wildlife Refuge System by providing financial support for facility and habitat projects, contributing numerous volunteer hours, and actively supporting advocacy initiatives.
We've got some seriously exciting news for you. This Earth Day, the National Wildlife Refuge Association teamed up with the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, the City of Delray Beach’s Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Sustainability to create a groundbreaking Pocket Refuge at the Family Recreation and Fitness Center Playground.
An Earth Month celebration was held on April 8, 2023, at Chauncey Park in Dobbs Ferry, NY, in collaboration with the National Wildlife Refuge Association, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Groundwork Hudson Valley, and Moms Organic Market. The event aimed to unite community members to stabilize the riparian habitat along the Sawmill River. Groundwork Hudson Valley led the planting of 68 potted dogwoods, elderberry, and birch trees along the banks of Sawmill River Island.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association wholeheartedly supports Martha Williams in her role as the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). In a recent letter to the Administration, a group of concerned scientists called for the resignation or dismissal of Director Williams. They claim she lacks the required scientific and educational background to serve in this position, despite her impressive experience in fisheries and wildlife management and environmental law and policy.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is embarking on an ambitious new effort to establish a Southwest Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Area. If successful, a new conservation area would allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to work with willing landowners to protect the lands most important to our water and wildlife in one of the most biologically diverse regions in our country.
