Nowhere
is America's love affair with wildlife more apparent than on the nearly
540 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. In the 99 years
since the first refuge was established the system has evolved into
a 95-million acre network of lands and waters protecting many of America's--and
the world's--most unique natural areas as habitat for an amazing variety
of wildlife.
As the refuge system prepares to celebrate its centennial anniversary
on March 14, 2003, refuges from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska to the
Caribbean are gearing up--hosting special events, partnering with
conservation organizations and private corporations, bolstering
volunteerism and reinforcing public support for their wildlife conservation
mission.
A wealth of exciting adventures and terrific
stories await you at our national wildlife refuges as we prepare
for our 100th anniversary. No matter where your readers or viewers
are located, there is sure to be a refuge within a few hours drive.
And where you find our national wildlife refuges, you will also
find some extraordinary stories of conservation, recovery and recreation
that are unique to this network of lands. Go behind the scenes of
America's best kept secret, our national wildlife refuges and you
can:
Join our biologists as they research the mysteries behind
the migration and nesting patterns of sea turtles and shorebirds;
Explore rarely visited destinations that are homes for some
of the rarest animals in the world;
Get into the wild--hike, hunt, fish, birdwatch and investigate
the myriad other wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available
on refuges;
Discover the connection between the fashion industry and
the first national wildlife refuge;
See school children incorporate real life scientific research
into their lesson plans; participate in conservation efforts for
endangered species and waterfowl.
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