National Wildlife Refuge Association

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge Association is to conserve America’s wildlife heritage for future generations through strategic programs that protect, promote, and enhance the National Wildlife Refuge System and the landscapes beyond its boundaries.

The National Wildlife Refuge Association is a non-profit exclusively focused on protecting, promoting, and enhancing the 850-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, the world’s largest network of lands and waters set aside for wildlife conservation.

Our work is largely focused in Washington, DC. We vigilantly watch for policies and legislation that undermine the integrity of the National Wildlife Refuge System, while advocating for efforts that advance wildlife conservation.

The National Wildlife Refuge Association addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.

Inspire nationwide support for the National Wildlife Refuge System, its wildlife, and habitats.

The largest mosaic of public lands and waters in the world - the National Wildlife Refuge System - is threatened by insufficient funding, oil and gas exploration, border walls, development and road construction.

We work to protect these areas but we cannot achieve our goals alone. We need your help.

National

Programs in: California, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina

Dear Refuge Association Supporters,

All across the country Americans are seeking out refuge in nature. People are looking for a connection to nature through wildlife watching, hiking, hunting, fishing, and so much more. Schools are looking for ways to bring nature to children in the classroom.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is the best system of public lands for connecting people with nature. Within 30 minutes of nearly every major city in the United States there is a national wildlife refuge waiting to be discovered and explored. By providing opportunities for people to connect with nature close to home, national wildlife refuges become a part of the local community.

Yet these national wildlife refuges are in jeopardy. Many people do not know what a national wildlife refuge is! That’s why we must promote national wildlife refuges to the public.

Our national wildlife refuges are severely underfunded and understaffed. We must protect them from losing their ability to manage wildlife and habitat.

Our efforts to enhance our National Wildlife Refuge System target increasing the effectiveness of existing refuges and expanding refuge oversight to include lands and waters that will intensify success in meeting their mission.

Building strong stewardship for national wildlife refuges will ensure effective advocacy for the wildlife and habitat we hold dear. Our Urban Wildlife Refuge Program and our partnerships with Refuge Friends groups highlight our commitment to reach out and strengthen new and current stewards of our country’s natural heritage.

With your help we are creating a community of national wildlife refuge supporters that will battle threats to our National Wildlife Refuge System.

We are so thankful for your continued support of not only the National Wildlife Refuge Association, but also for the National Wildlife Refuge System as a whole.

Sincerely,
Desirée Sorenson-Groves
President & CEO

Dear Refuge Association Supporters,

All across the country Americans are seeking out refuge in nature. People are looking for a connection to nature through wildlife watching, hiking, hunting, fishing, and so much more. Schools are looking for ways to bring nature to children in the classroom.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is the best system of public lands for connecting people with nature. Within 30 minutes of nearly every major city in the United States there is a national wildlife refuge waiting to be discovered and explored. By providing opportunities for people to connect with nature close to home, national wildlife refuges become a part of the local community.

Yet these national wildlife refuges are in jeopardy. Many people do not know what a national wildlife refuge is! That’s why we must promote national wildlife refuges to the public.
Our national wildlife refuges are severely underfunded and understaffed. We must protect them from losing their ability to manage wildlife and habitat.

Our efforts to enhance our National Wildlife Refuge System target increasing the effectiveness of existing refuges and expanding refuge oversight to include lands and waters that will intensify success in meeting their mission.

Building strong stewardship for national wildlife refuges will ensure effective advocacy for the wildlife and habitat we hold dear. Our Urban Wildlife Refuge Program and our partnerships with Refuge Friends groups highlight our commitment to reach out and strengthen new and current stewards of our country’s natural heritage.

With your help we are creating a community of national wildlife refuge supporters that will battle threats to our National Wildlife Refuge System.

We are so thankful for your continued support of not only the National Wildlife Refuge Association, but also for the National Wildlife Refuge System as a whole.

Sincerely,
Gen. Eugene Gray Payne
Board Chair