National Wildlife Refuge Association
Encyclopedia
The National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization that works to conserve American wildlife
by strengthening and expanding the 150 million acres (607,029 km²) National Wildlife Refuge System managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
. NWRA’s mission is to engage and mobilize volunteers in building support for refuges, educate decision-makers in Washington, and lead diverse conservation partnerships designed to amplify the impact that refuges have in protecting wildlife habitat both within and beyond their formal boundaries.
Founded in 1975 by former National Wildlife Refuge System managers and employees, the NWRA is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the National Wildlife Refuge System.
NWRA is the chair of the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE), a diverse coalition of 22 sporting, science and conservation organizations that includes the National Rifle Association
and Defenders of Wildlife
. The coalition spearheaded efforts in 2009 to secure $200 million for wildlife conservation programs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and ensured a $39 million increase in annual Refuge System funding that year.
'NWRA' has also led efforts to stop construction of a road through federally-designated Wilderness in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
in Alaska
, publishing it's 'Road to Nowhere' report in 2008.
NWRA’s conservation programs have led to partnerships to protect habitat for endangered West-Indian manatees
at Crystal River NWR
, Florida
, created strategic plans for acquiring, restoring and conserving key habitats in the Lower Mississippi River valley, and forged key partnerships to protect desert tortoises
in Southern Nevada
and seabirds in coastal Oregon
.
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
by strengthening and expanding the 150 million acres (607,029 km²) National Wildlife Refuge System managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
. NWRA’s mission is to engage and mobilize volunteers in building support for refuges, educate decision-makers in Washington, and lead diverse conservation partnerships designed to amplify the impact that refuges have in protecting wildlife habitat both within and beyond their formal boundaries.
Founded in 1975 by former National Wildlife Refuge System managers and employees, the NWRA is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Advocating the needs of the Refuge System in Washington
The NWRA is a leading voice for the Refuge System in Washington, DC, and informs decision-makers about legislation and policies that benefit or threaten wildlife refuge habitat.NWRA is the chair of the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE), a diverse coalition of 22 sporting, science and conservation organizations that includes the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
and Defenders of Wildlife
Defenders of Wildlife
Defenders of Wildlife is a United States-based, 501 non-profit organization founded in 1947, "dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities." The organization is active in political interventions and lobbying aimed at protection of wildlife, and...
. The coalition spearheaded efforts in 2009 to secure $200 million for wildlife conservation programs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and ensured a $39 million increase in annual Refuge System funding that year.
Grassroots Advocacy and the “Refuge Friends” movement
The NWRA mobilizes thousands of volunteers and refuge Friends groups across the country to proactively address the challenges refuges face. The NWRA has led thousands of refuge “Friends” volunteers to Capitol Hill and hosted the 2009 National Refuge Friends Conference, and the annual Refuge System Awards.'NWRA' has also led efforts to stop construction of a road through federally-designated Wilderness in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
The Izembek National Wildlife Refuge is the smallest of the National Wildlife Refuges located in the U.S. state of Alaska. It lies on the northwest coastal side of central Aleutians East Borough. Most of the refuge was designated as Wilderness in 1980 under the Alaska National Interest Lands...
in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, publishing it's 'Road to Nowhere' report in 2008.
Conservation Programs Beyond Refuge Boundaries
The NWRA leads science-based and partner-driven conservation initiatives to protect ecologically-rich wild land surrounding national wildlife refuges. By facilitating partnerships among land trusts, refuge Friends groups, conservation organizations, recreation groups and federal and state agencies, NWRA maximizes funding and expertise in these conservation programs.NWRA’s conservation programs have led to partnerships to protect habitat for endangered West-Indian manatees
West Indian Manatee
The West Indian Manatee is a manatee, and the largest surviving member of the aquatic mammal order Sirenia . The West Indian Manatee, Trichechus manatus, is a species distinct from the Amazonian Manatee, T. inunguis, and the West African Manatee, T. senegalensis...
at Crystal River NWR
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located in Kings Bay, in the town of Crystal River, and consists of 20 islands and several small parcels of land. The refuge was established in 1983, to protect the West Indian Manatee...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, created strategic plans for acquiring, restoring and conserving key habitats in the Lower Mississippi River valley, and forged key partnerships to protect desert tortoises
Desert Tortoise
The desert tortoise is a species of tortoise native to the Mojave desert and Sonoran desert of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. They can be located in western Arizona, southeastern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern Utah. The species name agassizii is in honor of...
in Southern Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
and seabirds in coastal Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
.