The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites everyone to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week from October 13th to 19th, 2024. This annual event highlights the importance of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which helps conserve wildlife habitats and provides outdoor recreation opportunities across the country.
Refuge Week kicks off with Urban Wildlife Conservation Day on October 12th, and all refuges that normally charge an entry fee will be free on October 13. Throughout the week, the Service and Public Lands Alliance will host over 35 free “Walk for the Wild” events at refuges nationwide. These events are part of the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program, which connects city dwellers with nature through urban refuges and partnerships.
This year’s celebration also reflects the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative, which aims to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The Service has been working to expand the Refuge System, having recently acquired 570,000 acres of land and secured approval for more than 1.6 million additional acres.
The Refuge System includes 572 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts, supporting activities like wildlife viewing, fishing, and photography. By maintaining clean air, water, and healthy ecosystems, these refuges also contribute $3.2 billion to local economies and support over 41,000 jobs.
To find an event or learn more, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website.
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