The U.S. National Wildlife Refuges system celebrates the 108th anniversary of its founding on March 14. President Teddy Roosevelt signed the law creating the first National Wildlife Refuge in 1903. Today the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service maintains more than 550 refuges in the country, helping to preserve over 2,000 species of our native critters.
The 95 million acres of refuge land are spread throughout all 50 states. The refuges benefit people as well as the animals they were established to protect – most refuges allow at least some opportunity for recreation, and there is at least one refuge within a one hour drive from every major city in the country. Like our National Parks, the National Wildlife Refuges system is one of our country’s best ideas.
Click on this link for more photos of National Wildlife Refuges.
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