(Photo: Tom MacKenzie, USFWS)
Each year, as we celebrate the Refuge System’s anniversary on March 14, we have a chance to think once more about the twin driving forces behind wildlife refuges: a responsibility to save for future generations the wild treasures bequeathed to us; and the extraordinary people who work day-in and day-out to deliver our conservation mission.
This year, I would ask that you think about one additional element: The Conserving the Future process by which we are looking at the future of the Refuge System. As we give birth to bold ideas, we attract new partners, young people and more supporters for the timeless ideals embodied in the Refuge System mission. If you have not yet given your bold ideas or commented on the draft vision, I hope you will consider those actions your birthday gift to the Refuge System.
Over the past year, every wildlife refuge has played a central role in conserving wildlife for a nation that values America’s great outdoors. How we plan for the future is critical to ensure that wildlife refuges deliver the best wildlife conservation we can, and expand our constituency by engaging visitors who have never heard of national wildlife refuges. You’ll find that a wide spectrum of wildlife conservation issues is touched on in the draft vision.
Look at Chapter 2, for example, where we talk about a National Conservation Strategy and an overhaul to the Land Acquisition System. This may well be the most important time in the next half-century for the conservation community to develop landscape-level conservation strategies.
That’s why your input about our approach to acquiring lands for the Refuge System is so essential.
Or consider Chapter 3, in which the draft vision presents 10 recommendations on the broad issue of science in the Refuge System. Throughout its history, the Refuge System has relied on science to inform its actions. Yet, some believe that, while the Refuge System has long been a leader in fish and wildlife conservation – particularly habitat restoration and management – its ability to implement science has been uneven. So, is there a need for applied science investigations to help the Refuge System deliver science-based conservation?
And then there is Chapter 4, which has the most recommendations at 31. How can we inspire people from all walks of life to create a conservation bond with the Refuge System and with our nation? The chapter we call “Human- Nature” seeks to deal with the issue of conservation relevancy for a nation that is ever more urban.
The challenges looming ahead of us are complicated and daunting. The vision process is an important step in the future of the Refuge System. As we celebrate the Refuge System’s anniversary, I encourage you to become part of history by adding your voice to America’swildlife.org.
Let’s celebrate our conservation legacy and most importantly, celebrate one another.
Greg Siekaniec, Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System
