The theme of yesterday’s conference programs focused on partners, building constituencies and keeping the Refuge System relevant to a changing America.  In the morning lecture series we heard from speakers representing state wildlife agencies, the President of the NWRA, the young conservation leader Juan Martinez, from a group of schoolchildren, and from leaders in the National [...]

Events at The Conserving the Future have started to unfold in a BIG way, inspiring over 1,000 wildlife enthusiasts to reflect upon both the recommendations in the vision document and their contributions to the U.S. Refuge System thus far.  Two of my favorite gatherings were the 1) welcome reception and 2) lecture by world renowned Oceanographer Dr. Sylvia [...]

Our website has a new look and feel to make it easier to navigate the upcoming Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation conference held from July 11 – 14. The culmination of a yearlong process to charter a vision for the National Wildlife Refuge System, more than 240 bold ideas and 10,000 comments [...]

Take a book or essay outside this spring! Whether you are a nature enthusiast, book lover, young conservationist, student, teacher, or Refuge friend, you are invited to join America’s Wild Read community. Our essay discussions begin May 1, 2011. Learn more and see how to share your thoughts at http://americaswildlife.org/wildread!

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA ) has been a committed supporter of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) for over 30 years. It was an original founder of  the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE) , played a leading role in enactment of the 1997 Refuge Improvement Act, and as USSA’s Washington representative, I had the honor to serve [...]

Birgie Vertesch, Executive Director of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, speaking on “Conserving the Future: America’s Wildlife and the Next Generation” and her vision for the future of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Dr. Mamie Parker, Director of the National Wildlife Refuge Association and former Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on her vision for the future of the National Wildlife Refuge System: