Draped over the United States in this age of “GREEN” are many green patches that are one the nations treasures……the National Wildlife Refuges. The mark the country as if one tossed a handful of jade on the map of the United States. These 538 refuges contain millions of acres, and totally are larger than, and less visited than our National Park system. These refuges, if all placed side by side would be about the size of Montana. There are refuges in every state and many US territories. They range in size from the smallest being .6 acres at Mille Lacs NWR in Minnesota to the 5 million acre Artic NWR in Alaska. Every type of habitat can be found in these refuges. All these different biomes, create a place for wildlife to survive even by the weakest of threads as many of which are endangered.

Not only do these jewels serve as a tapestry of life’s great diversity, but also serve to enhance wildlife conservation. Whenever one goes to a NWR, they experience a sense of wonder, and a joy that comes from sharing natural life as the company of a friend. Each and every refuge has the power to fill ones senses and stir ones soul with the sights and sounds of beauty and sublime.

The number of migratory birds that visit refuges have grown from all time lows to present day highs. Millions of acres of land are designated as wilderness places where the human traffic is kept to a minimum, thus allowing nature to be kept at its original state. Refuges are the homes of hundreds of thriving endangered species. Simple every day events in the natural world on these refuges are as important as the greatest works of humanity.

Although wildlife comes first on refuges, it is also the people’s land intended for recreation and enjoyment of the individual. The visitor may don binoculars to be used in bird watching and studying a rare species in the distance. A man and his family may be bonding by fishing in the waters of a lake that mark so many refuges. Hikers may walk along a ridge to see the grand view of a beautiful landscape. School children may take part in an outdoor classroom found in many of the nature centers located on most refuges. A hunter may be on the edge of a marsh in a blind waiting for water fowl to pass. A photographer may zoom in on an endangered species on a prairie, and with a click of his shutter capture it in their collection of images of the natural world. As one can see there are many uses for our refuges.

Strangely enough, for lands that were created for many benefits of enjoyment, the NWR system is still unknown to many. It should not be. Take advantage of it on your next outing.