National Wildlife Refuge Background

Defenders of Wildlife has long worked to strengthen the National Wildlife Refuge System, the world’s largest network of protected areas dedicated to wildlife conservation. For over a century, the refuge system has been integral to bringing species such as whooping cranes back from the brink of extinction. Our refuges are also home to some of the most spectacular concentrations of animals on the planet. Each year, nearly 40 million people visit and enjoy wildlife on refuges in every U.S. state and territory. In addition, visitor spending returns more than $1.7 billion to local economies, creating nearly 27,000 U.S. jobs.

To protect this precious network of wild areas, Defenders:

  • Pushed for the sweeping National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, which strengthened the management of refuges. We continue to push for legislation that ensures that the needs of wildlife are met on wildlife refuges.
  • Presses for much needed resources for these chronically under-funded habitats. Working with partners, Defenders has helped double the refuge system budget over the last ten years. Learn more
  • Publishes our annual Refuges at Risk report highlighting the issues facing the refuge system.
  • Defends refuges from harmful activities that threaten the integrity of the refuge system. Learn more
  • Works with individual refuges on projects such as assisting hurricane recovery efforts for endangered red cockaded woodpeckers in Louisiana, and re-establishing endangered red wolves in North Carolina.

Read Defenders Refuge Program Brochure