As part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge acts under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve, protect, and manage wildlife and habitat for future generations. The goals of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge are:

• To provide stable or increasing populations of endangered species and protection of their habitats to promote species recovery.



• To provide necessary habitat to support healthy populations of waterfowl numbers sufficient to meet the objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management plan, the Management Plan for Canada Geese in Maryland, and the Chesapeake Bay Waterfowl Policy and Management Plan.



• To provide necessary habitat to maintain and restore healthy populations of migratory birds other than waterfowl.



• To maintain a healthy and diverse ecosystem with a full range of natural processes, natural community types, and the full spectrum of native plants and animals to pass on to future generations of Americans.



• To provide healthy and sustainable populations of inter-jurisdictional and anadromous fish.



• To assure that the best examples of unique wildlands (i.e., RAMSAR sites, Natural Heritage Areas, and Important Bird Areas) are identified, managed, and protected to assure their unique natural character.



• To manage healthy and sustainable populations of resident fish and wildlife at levels that do not negatively impact Refuge habitat, trust resources, or the public.



• To foster public understanding and appreciation of the value of, and need for, fish and wildlife management through wildlife interpretation and environmental education.



• To provide compatible wildlife and wild lands recreation focusing on hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and photography.



• To foster cooperative actions and partnerships with local communities, agencies, and organizations to promote and further Refuge goals.