A Chinese delegation from Beijing visited Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in November to learn about refuge wetland management techniques and migratory bird management protection practices. The group, which included four scientists and two government officials, represented the ?Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Project? in China, the largest single international cooperative project for Chinese wetland conservation. The delegation spent the day learning about wetland restoration and management practices that have been used very successfully at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and the refuge staff got a golden opportunity to learn about China's wetland conservation plans and practices.

China's wetlands are widely distributed from the cold temperate zone to tropical regions, and China is one of the key countries on both the East Asian-Australasian flyway and the Central Asian-Indian flyway for migratory waterfowl. These are globally significant migration routes for several million birds representing over 200 species. China's <>Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance cover over 16 million hectares or over 20 percent of the world's coverage. The group learned why Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is also a designated Ramsar site in North America and had the opportunity to view large numbers of ducks and snow geese on their refuge tour. All delegation members received Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge centennial T-shirts celebrating ?Wild Things? and photo-ops at the refuge's centennial celebration poster board were a big hit!

NORTHEAST REGION, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE -- Conserving the Nature of the Northeast