What We Do

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		Refuge Planning Mountain-Prairie Region

What We Do

Mountain-Prairie Region (6)
Map of Mountain-Prairie Region States (Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming)

The Mountain-Prairie Region, encompassing refuges in eight states, is Region 6 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Refuge planning is part of the refuges and wildlife program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Mountain-Prairie Region's division of refuge planning performs all planning functions for refuges within the region.

Why is planning important?

Planning contributes to informed decision-making that recognizes the needs and interests of all parties, while never losing sight of the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Detailed planning is required before a new refuge is established, or when the boundary of an existing refuge is changed. The effects of these actions on wildlife, habitat, and people are considered in the planning processes.

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, every refuge will be managed consistent with its comprehensive conservation plan (CCP). The Act requires that CCPs be completed for each national wildlife refuge within 15 years, and each CCP will be revised every 15 years.

Final Planning Policy (May 25, 2000)
Final Compatability Policy (October 18, 2000)

Let us know your opinion!

Your questions, comments, and concerns will help us develop a more complete habitat protection and and comprehensive conservation plan for each area.

Communication is the key for the planning process to work to its fullest. For each project listed in either conservation plans or land protection, the contact person or office is noted. Please email the individual refuge to find out the status of the project that interests you.

Mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Our mission is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Silhouette drawing of a great blue heron in wetland.

Silhouette drawing of a great blue heron in wetland.

Goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System

Planning for the National Wildlife Refuge System has the following goals:

---Conserve a diversity of fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats, including species that are endangered or threatened with becoming endangered.

---Develop and maintain a network of habitats for migratory birds, anadromous and interjurisdictional fish, and marine mammal populations that is strategically distributed and carefully managed to meet important life history needs of these species across their ranges

---Conserve those ecosystems, plant communities, wetlands of national or international significance, and landscapes and seascapes that are unique, rare, declining, or underrepresented in existing protection efforts.

---Provide and enhance opportunities to participate in compatible wildlife-dependent recreation (hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation).

---Foster understanding and instill appreciation of the diversity and interconnectedness of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their habitats.