Erie National Wildlife Refuge (2024)

FAQs

What is the largest wildlife refuge in the US? ›

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the largest national wildlife refuge in the United States. It is also the biggest and wildest publicly owned land in our country. Located in Alaska's northeast corner, it is home to a wide variety of species, such as polar bears, caribou, and wolves.

Erie National Wildlife Refuge offers 8,800 acres of a variety of terrain that is suitable for birdwatching, cross-country skiing, fishing, hunting, walking, hiking, or biking.

Founded by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 and administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System is a diverse network of lands and waters dedicated to conserving America's rich fish and wildlife heritage.

A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

1. The entire city of Austin, Texas is certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat. There are 2,154 certified wildlife habitats – the most per capita in the US – and the most Schoolyard Habitats (67). It's famous for its Congress Avenue Bridge, home to 1.5 million bats.

Alaska, the last frontier, offers some of the most breathtaking wildlife photography opportunities in the world. This isolated state in the far north is unlike anywhere else on earth and the lack of humans combined with the abundance of pristine wilderness makes it a wildlife hotspot.

Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1915 and is the smallest refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System at 0.57 acres.

1903: On March 14, with the encouragement of Frank Chapman and the Florida Audubon Society, President Theodore Roosevelt established Pelican Island in the Indian River Lagoon as the first federal bird reservation, giving birth to the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The net income the Service receives from the sale of products or privileges on refuges, such as from timber sales and grazing leases, is deposited into the National Wildlife Refuge Fund for refuge revenue-sharing payments. Congress may supplement these funds with appropriations for the National Wildlife Refuge Fund.

How many national wildlife refuges are there in the US? ›

As of 2022, there are 588 National Wildlife Refuges in the United States, with the addition of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge. Refuges that have boundaries in multiple states are listed only in the state where the main visitor entrance is located.

Disturbed by the killing of so many of Florida's birds, Roosevelt signed in executive order in 1903 making Pelican Island a federal bird reservation, with Kroegel soon named as the first warden. The protected area later became the first unit of America's national system of wildlife refuges.

No weapons (except shotguns used during lawful hunting activities as authorized by permit) No discharge of firearms (except during lawful hunting activities as authorized by permit) No take, disturbance or collection of wildlife or plants. No search for or removal of objects of antiquity or other valued objects.

How Animal Sanctuaries Are Different. While both roadside zoos and animal sanctuaries do confine wild animals, the main difference is that sanctuaries do not breed, buy, sell, or trade animals. Sanctuaries like Black Pine Animal Sanctuary do not capture animals from the wild.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System is the nation's only set of federal lands dedicated to the conservation and management of America's native wildlife.