National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS)

History of the NWRS

Does the NWRS Live up to Its Mission?

Taxpayer Opinion

Take Action

Refuge for Whom?

The idea of a national wildlife refuge system conjures up images of lush forests, mountain vistas, ocean waves, animals living in harmony, and unspoiled land. Depending on where we live, we may find forests replete with wild birds, flora, and fauna. If by the ocean, we find marine life as the waters share their cornucopia of creatures. We may think of hiking trails, canoe trips, and photographic moments where we experience wildlife up close. What most of us don’t see or experience is what goes on in these refuges year around—death and destruction of the very species refuges are meant to protect.

History of the NWRS                                                                                  Back to Top

In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt designated Florida’s Pelican Island as the first wildlife refuge in the country. Although an avid hunter himself, Roosevelt was aware of the need to protect wildlife from exploitation. He designated Pelican Island as the first wildlife refuge to protect egrets, herons, and other birds who were being hunted to near extinction for their feathers to satisfy the fashion demands of the day. Today there are approximately 550 wildlife refuges covering more than 150 million acres and 37 wetland management districts.

The mission of the NWRS “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 [emphasis added] within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” The NWRS is the “world's premier system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants” and is meant to” maintain the biological integrity, diversity and environmental health” of these natural resources. These refuges are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

Today, 700 types of birds, 220 different mammals, 250 different reptiles, and more than 200 kinds of fish are found in wildlife refuges. In addition, more than 240 endangered species call the refuge system their home.

Does the NWRS Live up to Its Mission?                                                     Back to Top

Until the 1950s, recreational hunting and trapping and other potentially harmful activities to wildlife were prohibited in the system. But when the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act of 1934 was amended, “consumptive use” activities (hunting, trapping, and fishing) were permitted on many of the refuges.

A 1997 amendment further solidified the use of refuge land for hunting, fishing, and trapping “when determined to be compatible, [and] are legitimate and appropriate public uses of the Refuge System….” In fact, the Act further recognized “wildlife-dependent recreational uses involving hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation as the priority public uses of the Refuge System.” The legislation also stated that these “priority public uses receive enhanced consideration over other uses in planning and management.”

As a result of this amendment and other changes in the approach to managing the NWRS, the “restoration” part of the mission statement has been weakened. Hunting and trapping are allowed on more than half of all the refuges, with 140 refuges allowing use of steel-jaw leghold, Conibear, and kill snare traps. Hunting and trapping take the lives of millions of animals who are killed outright, injured, stressed, and orphaned each year. In addition, the sad fact is traps do not discriminate between targeted animals and non-targeted ones, such as cats and dogs. Bald eagles have even been caught in bait-ladened traps. Fishing is allowed on more than 260 refuges.

The 1997 amendment did provide, however, for some positive action. Prior to that time, the refuges acted as isolated areas. Now they are to be managed under one clear system. The amendment also recognizes conservation as the primary goal of the wildlife refuge system and required recreational uses to be “compatible” with conservation measures.

Taxpayer Opinion                                                                                     Back to Top

Does the American taxpayer agree that the government should be promoting hunting, trapping, and fishing on wildlife refuge lands? No. The public believes that the public lands of the NWRS should be safe havens for wildlife; in fact, 88% of Americans agree hunting and trapping should not be allowed on these federally funded lands.

The FWS has strayed from its very own policy, one that directs that wildlife comes first in the NWRS. Since hunters and trappers, who comprise only five to 10 percent of the general public, have access to public and private lands that are not protected under the NWRS it’s time FWS returned to its mission to protect all wildlife from hunters, trappers, and anglers.

Take Action to Help Preserve the Initial Intent of the NWRS

What can you do to change what is happening to the animals being hunted and trapped on national wildlife refuges? First, educate others on the reality of what is happening in our wildlife refuges. Other humane actions include:

• Make your voice heard; contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protest the “consumptive use” provision.
• Write your Congress members and let them know you object to hunting, trapping, and fishing in any of the refuges.
• If you visit a wildlife refuge, take only pictures, leave only footprints.
• Support conservation organizations that protect all life with your donations and your time.

December 2009                                                                                            Back to Top

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