The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) is a network of public lands and waters in the United States established primarily for fish, wildlife, and plant conservation. Its history began in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt designated Florida’s Pelican Island as the first federal bird reservation. The NWRS is the only collection of federal lands dedicated solely to the protection and management of America’s diverse native wildlife.
The system administers habitats across all 50 states and U.S. territories. While the initial focus was on protecting migratory birds, the mission has expanded to include conserving threatened and endangered species and preserving ecosystem integrity. The Refuge System manages a wide array of habitats, from tundra and prairies to coastal wetlands and forests, to sustain healthy wildlife populations.
The Official Count of National Wildlife Refuges
The official number of individual National Wildlife Refuges is currently over 570, spanning every state and several U.S. territories. This count is not static, as new refuges are periodically established and others may be consolidated or redefined. The system’s scale is better understood by looking at the total area it encompasses, which includes more than just the individual refuges.
The NWRS covers approximately 850 million acres of land and marine environments. Over 700 million acres are comprised of marine national monuments, which protect submerged lands and waters. The land-based portion, including all terrestrial and wetland areas, totals around 95 to 152 million acres.
The total conservation network includes the established Refuges, 38 Wetland Management Districts, and associated areas. These districts manage thousands of small, scattered Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs), often acquired through conservation easements. The inclusion of WPAs significantly broadens the physical scope and impact of the system beyond the named refuges.
Defining the Scope of the Refuge System
The National Wildlife Refuge System operates under a singular conservation mandate that distinguishes it from other federal public lands. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 directs that wildlife conservation must be the primary consideration in all management decisions. This “wildlife first” mandate ensures that any activity allowed on a refuge must be compatible with the conservation goals of that specific refuge.
The mission is to administer a national network dedicated to the conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife, plant resources, and their habitats. Refuge management employs tools such as prescribed fire, water management, and invasive species control, to maintain biological integrity and environmental health. By prioritizing habitat protection, the system safeguards populations of hundreds of species, including those that are threatened or endangered.
Priority Public Uses
While conservation is the priority, the system allows for certain public uses, provided they are compatible with the wildlife mission. The law recognizes six specific activities as “priority public uses,” which receive enhanced consideration in refuge planning and management. These wildlife-dependent recreational uses allow the public to connect with nature, but they are always subordinate to the welfare of fish and wildlife resources.
The priority public uses include:
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Wildlife observation
- Photography
- Environmental education
- Interpretation
The Agency Responsible for Management
The management of this extensive system is the responsibility of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), an agency within the Department of the Interior. The USFWS oversees all aspects of the refuge network, from individual refuge management to system-wide policy and funding. The agency ensures the conservation mandate is consistently upheld across the entire system.
The USFWS administers the refuges through regional offices and on-the-ground refuge managers. Staff implement conservation programs, conduct biological research, and enforce regulations. Their duties include managing habitat restoration projects and coordinating with state fish and wildlife agencies to maintain healthy ecosystems.
Funding for land acquisition and management comes from various sources, including the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Through its administration, the USFWS ensures that each refuge fulfills its specific purpose and the broader mission of the national network.