544 National Wildlife Refuges Are Wild Places Close to Home
National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 10-16, Celebrates Important Role in Species Recovery
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A fall riverboat tour on the Mississippi River approximately 5 miles from the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Photo Credit: Scott Flaherty, USFWS |
Whether to hunt, fish or watch wildlife, thousands of Americans will flock to national wildlife refuges for National Wildlife Refuge Week October 10-16, 2004. Visitors will celebrate the National Wildlife Refuge System's pivotal role in offering outdoor recreational opportunities as well as showcasing the conservation and recovery of wildlife species on refuges across the country.
Bald eagles, whooping cranes and the California condor are some of the endangered and threatened species that have been helped back from the brink of extinction by the work of Service biologists on national wildlife refuges. Nearly 260 threatened or endangered species are found on national wildlife refuges, where they often begin their recovery or hold their own against extinction.
"Wildlife refuges are critically important to the conservation of fish and wildlife, whether one is thinking of ducks and geese or the recovery of the bald eagle and the California condor," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams said. "Refuges prove their value every day. Some of the best conservation work is done on refuges. We work hard every day to raise awareness and promote access to our refuges for hunting, fishing, bird watching, photography, education, and other outdoor opportunities. There is no better place to reconnect with both wildlife and the family than on a wildlife refuge."
The National Wildlife Refuge System, established in 1903, has 544 national wildlife refuges, more than 3,000 waterfowl production areas and spans approximately 100 million acres. It provides habitat for more than 700 species of birds, 220 species of mammals, 250 reptile and amphibian species, more than 1,000 fish, and countless species of invertebrates and plants.
At the same time, the National Wildlife Refuge System offers unparalleled wildlife-dependent recreation. It has more than 890 trails covering approximately 2,500 miles, open to the public for wildlife observation and photography. Hunting is offered on more than 308 refuges; fishing is available on more than 270 refuges. Additionally, hundreds of environmental education programs are offered across the country.
But nowhere is the work of national wildlife refuges more important than in the recovery and protection of endangered and threatened species. The California condor, for example, dropped to a low of just 22 birds in 1983. Today, more than 240 condors soar in the wild, nearly 100 of which were bred in captivity on California refuges dedicated to the birds' recovery.
"We are fortunate to have the National Wildlife Refuge System as both an incubator and protector of endangered species and as a place where we can find such traditional recreation as hunting and fishing," Williams said. "I look forward to celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week on a refuge – seeing a new generation enjoy our outstanding natural resources."
Every state has at least one national wildlife refuge. People living in metropolitan areas can usually find a national wildlife refuge just an hour's drive from home.
"We encourage people to use National Wildlife Refuge Week as a chance to discover wildlife refuges. Look for one near your home," National Wildlife Refuge System Chief Bill Hartwig said. "Today it's more important than ever to reconnect with our natural heritage. So take advantage of the hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching opportunities on a refuge near you."
A Sampling of National Wildlife Refuge Week Events:
October 9, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Zimmerman, MN: Wildlife Festival, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Free activities include horse drawn hay ride, scavenger hunt, archery and air-rifle workshops, nature crafts, guided Crane Watch at 6:45 a.m., nature walks at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., live bird presentation at 2:30 p.m.
October 9, Prime Hook Refuge, Milton, DE: Third Annual Waterfowl Festival, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., kicks off waterfowl migration season. Live music, guided hikes, canoe trips, announce winner of first nature photography contest, and exhibits and demonstrations from more than 30 environmental organizations.
October 16, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR, CA: Shark Day, 11 a.m. to 4. Touch sharks from noon-3 p.m., guided nature walk, puppet show and make a shark tooth necklace.
October 16, J.N. "Ding" Darling Refuge, Sanibel, FL: Family Fun Day ends week-long Ding Darling Days. See the Butterfly House; Caribbean Gardens Zoo presentation; Duck Stamp artist presentation; Florida Bat Center presentation; Great Florida Birding Trail presentation.
October 13-15, St. Vincent Refuge, Apalachicola, FL: Daily tours of St. Vincent Island, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., are limited to 28 people. Reservations open September 27.
October 15, Piedmont Refuge, Round Oak GA: 14th Annual Hunt for Wheelchair Participants. Volunteers are needed for the two-day hunt.
October 15, Tishomingo Refuge, Tishomingo OK: Approximately 2,000 students are expected to enter the Youth Art Contest, open to K-12 students in Johnston County. The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and Citizens for the Protection of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer are sponsoring the contest.
October 15, Malheur Refuge, Princeton, OR: Annual Ranching Heritage Day at the Historic Sod House Ranch, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Western music, traditional western craft demonstrations.
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