National Wildlife Refuge System | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Source: http://www.fws.gov/refuges
Archived: 2026-04-23 14:24
National Wildlife Refuge System | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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National Wildlife Refuge System
Image Details
National Wildlife Refuge System
About Us
What We Do
Contact Us
Get Involved
Events
News
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
What We Do
Image Details
Our Services
Each unit of the Refuge System — whether it is a wildlife refuge, a marine national monument, a conservation area or a waterfowl production area — is established to serve a statutory purpose that targets the conservation of native species dependent on its lands and water. All activities on those acres are reviewed for compatibility with this statutory purpose.
The Refuge System deploys a host of scientifically sound management tools to address biological challenges. These tools, which range from active water management to wilderness character monitoring, all are aimed at ensuring a balanced conservation approach that enables wildlife and people to thrive.
Find a National Wildlife Refuge
Through partnerships, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service leads the way in developing community-driven conservation solutions that reap ecological and economic benefits for fish, wildlife and people. Within the Refuge System, we work with landowners, Friends groups and local communities.
More About What We Do
Latest Stories and Topics
Stories
Current Road Conditions at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
The majority of the public use roads on the Pungo Unit are open for vehicles weighing 8,000 pounds or less. Almost all refuge roads, especially those on the Pungo Unit, are dirt and may be muddy during periods of wet weather. Please check the weather and use caution when roads are wet. For road...
Apr 21, 2026
Recreation
Celebrating community and stewardship in Utah
Established nearly 100 years ago, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in northern Utah protects the Bear River delta as it empties into the Great Salt Lake. Millions of birds migrate through the area, relying on the rich habitat to sustain them on their journeys that can be thousands of miles. More...
Apr 14, 2026
Recreation
Spring break for sandhill cranes in Colorado
Every year in southern Colorado, San Luis Valley is full of spring break revelers, but not the ones taking a break from school. Sandhill cranes have been stopping by each spring for thousands of years. These days, they rely on Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge and neighboring agricultural lands...
Apr 10, 2026
Current Road Status at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Weather, repairs, and wildlife management activities have led to the temporary closures of several refuge roads to vehicles. Please consult the information below to see current closures. A complete map of the refuge can be found in the Refuge Tearsheet.
Apr 3, 2026
Wildlife Wonders
Whooping Cranes Winter in Oklahoma
Every spring and fall at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge seasoned birders know to keep a keen eye for the elusive whooping crane. A large proportion of these rare, endangered birds make pit-stops at the refuge as they migrate from their breeding grounds at Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada...
Apr 2, 2026
Wildlife Wonders
Minnesota's Can of (Invasive) Worms
Worms are beneficial creatures for the environment, or are they? Come and learn what secrets the worms are hiding.
Mar 31, 2026
View All News
Our Services
The National Wildlife Refuge System offers services to recreational visitors, neighboring private landowners and local communities.
Grassland Easements
In the United States, the Prairie Pothole Region is located within the northern Great Plains in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Characterized by thousands of shallow, glacially formed wetlands known as potholes, the Prairie Pothole Region provides habitat for...
Federal Recreation Passes
Some 30 national wildlife refuges charge visitors a nominal entrance fee to cover road and facility maintenance. If you are a regular visitor or would like to visit other public lands, you could save by buying an America the Beautiful Federal Recreational Lands Passes, your ticket...
Apply for a Special Use Permit on National Wildlife Refuges
Some commercial, recreational and research activities are allowed on national wildlife refuges only with a special use permit issued by the local office, and are subject to specific conditions and fees. This permit requirement is meant to ensure that all activities at the federal site are...
Cooperative Agriculture
Cooperative agriculture — partnering with farmers and ranchers to meet wildlife management objectives — is a long-standing practice on national wildlife refuges (50 CFR 29.2). Cooperative agreements between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and farmers or ranchers may permit grazing by cattle...
National Wildlife Refuge System GIS Data and Mapping Tools
The National Wildlife Refuge System provides a variety of geospatial web tools for researchers, cartographers, partners, recreational visitors and others who want to incorporate our authoritative data layers into their map products or spatial analyses. Each layer includes metadata...
Every Kid Outdoors Pass
The Every Kid Outdoors program allows 4th-graders to see America’s natural wonders and historic sites for free.
Annual 4th Grade Pass
Cost:
Free, non-transferable, valid for the duration of the 4th-grade schoolyear though the following summer (September-August).
...
View Our Services
Our Library
Public Lands and Waters
The National Wildlife Refuge System protects some of the country’s most iconic ecosystems and the fish and wildlife that rely on them: prairies of the heartland, teeming with native pollinators and bison; hardwood forests of the Southeast, a source of regional and cultural pride; and desert...
Library Collection
9 Items
Seasons of Wildlife
Because wildlife behavior and plant characteristics change with the seasons, time of year is important when planning a visit to a national wildlife refuge. Learn about those seasonal variations and how best to enjoy them at wildlife refuges.
Library Collection
10 Items
View Our Library
Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock
(
) or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
National Wildlife Refuge System
Image Details
National Wildlife Refuge System
About Us
What We Do
Contact Us
Get Involved
Events
News
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
What We Do
Image Details
Our Services
Each unit of the Refuge System — whether it is a wildlife refuge, a marine national monument, a conservation area or a waterfowl production area — is established to serve a statutory purpose that targets the conservation of native species dependent on its lands and water. All activities on those acres are reviewed for compatibility with this statutory purpose.
The Refuge System deploys a host of scientifically sound management tools to address biological challenges. These tools, which range from active water management to wilderness character monitoring, all are aimed at ensuring a balanced conservation approach that enables wildlife and people to thrive.
Find a National Wildlife Refuge
Through partnerships, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service leads the way in developing community-driven conservation solutions that reap ecological and economic benefits for fish, wildlife and people. Within the Refuge System, we work with landowners, Friends groups and local communities.
More About What We Do
Latest Stories and Topics
Stories
Current Road Conditions at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
The majority of the public use roads on the Pungo Unit are open for vehicles weighing 8,000 pounds or less. Almost all refuge roads, especially those on the Pungo Unit, are dirt and may be muddy during periods of wet weather. Please check the weather and use caution when roads are wet. For road...
Apr 21, 2026
Recreation
Celebrating community and stewardship in Utah
Established nearly 100 years ago, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in northern Utah protects the Bear River delta as it empties into the Great Salt Lake. Millions of birds migrate through the area, relying on the rich habitat to sustain them on their journeys that can be thousands of miles. More...
Apr 14, 2026
Recreation
Spring break for sandhill cranes in Colorado
Every year in southern Colorado, San Luis Valley is full of spring break revelers, but not the ones taking a break from school. Sandhill cranes have been stopping by each spring for thousands of years. These days, they rely on Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge and neighboring agricultural lands...
Apr 10, 2026
Current Road Status at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Weather, repairs, and wildlife management activities have led to the temporary closures of several refuge roads to vehicles. Please consult the information below to see current closures. A complete map of the refuge can be found in the Refuge Tearsheet.
Apr 3, 2026
Wildlife Wonders
Whooping Cranes Winter in Oklahoma
Every spring and fall at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge seasoned birders know to keep a keen eye for the elusive whooping crane. A large proportion of these rare, endangered birds make pit-stops at the refuge as they migrate from their breeding grounds at Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada...
Apr 2, 2026
Wildlife Wonders
Minnesota's Can of (Invasive) Worms
Worms are beneficial creatures for the environment, or are they? Come and learn what secrets the worms are hiding.
Mar 31, 2026
View All News
Our Services
The National Wildlife Refuge System offers services to recreational visitors, neighboring private landowners and local communities.
Grassland Easements
In the United States, the Prairie Pothole Region is located within the northern Great Plains in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Characterized by thousands of shallow, glacially formed wetlands known as potholes, the Prairie Pothole Region provides habitat for...
Federal Recreation Passes
Some 30 national wildlife refuges charge visitors a nominal entrance fee to cover road and facility maintenance. If you are a regular visitor or would like to visit other public lands, you could save by buying an America the Beautiful Federal Recreational Lands Passes, your ticket...
Apply for a Special Use Permit on National Wildlife Refuges
Some commercial, recreational and research activities are allowed on national wildlife refuges only with a special use permit issued by the local office, and are subject to specific conditions and fees. This permit requirement is meant to ensure that all activities at the federal site are...
Cooperative Agriculture
Cooperative agriculture — partnering with farmers and ranchers to meet wildlife management objectives — is a long-standing practice on national wildlife refuges (50 CFR 29.2). Cooperative agreements between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and farmers or ranchers may permit grazing by cattle...
National Wildlife Refuge System GIS Data and Mapping Tools
The National Wildlife Refuge System provides a variety of geospatial web tools for researchers, cartographers, partners, recreational visitors and others who want to incorporate our authoritative data layers into their map products or spatial analyses. Each layer includes metadata...
Every Kid Outdoors Pass
The Every Kid Outdoors program allows 4th-graders to see America’s natural wonders and historic sites for free.
Annual 4th Grade Pass
Cost:
Free, non-transferable, valid for the duration of the 4th-grade schoolyear though the following summer (September-August).
...
View Our Services
Our Library
Public Lands and Waters
The National Wildlife Refuge System protects some of the country’s most iconic ecosystems and the fish and wildlife that rely on them: prairies of the heartland, teeming with native pollinators and bison; hardwood forests of the Southeast, a source of regional and cultural pride; and desert...
Library Collection
9 Items
Seasons of Wildlife
Because wildlife behavior and plant characteristics change with the seasons, time of year is important when planning a visit to a national wildlife refuge. Learn about those seasonal variations and how best to enjoy them at wildlife refuges.
Library Collection
10 Items
View Our Library