JACKSON, Wyo. — Oct. 13 marks the beginning of National Wildlife Refuge Week, a celebration of the U.S.’s premier wildlife conservation network providing access to nature to millions of Americans while protecting vital habitat.
The National Wildlife Refuge System was founded in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Refuge System includes 570 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts covering 95 million acres of land.
The USFWS’ website confirms that wildlife refuges put $3.2 billion per year into regional economies and support more than 41,000 jobs. A press release for National Wildlife Refuge Week says that investing in and increasing access to the Refuge System also helps advance the U.S.’s America the Beautiful Initiative to conserve, connect and restore at least 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030.
“National wildlife refuges are American jewels,” USFWS Director Martha Williams says in the press release. “They serve as vital landscapes for wildlife, provide recreation for communities seeking a connection with nature and contribute to ecosystem health through clean air, clean water and buffers for flooding. I encourage all Americans to join us in celebrating these treasured outdoor spaces during National Wildlife Refuge Week and every day.”
National Wildlife Refuge Week is an annual celebration that has occurred during the second full week of October since 1995. The USFWS says visits to refuges have doubled in the last 10 years, reaching more than 69 million visits a year.
In Jackson Hole, the National Elk Refuge (NER) was established by various Acts of Congress, executive orders and other documents, with the main Act of Congress on Aug. 10, 1912, setting aside lands “for the establishment of a winter game (elk) reserve in the State of Wyoming, lying south of the Yellowstone Park.”
The NER protects iconic species that include bison, wolves, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, bighorn sheep, cutthroat trout and, of course, elk. From now through December, elk and bighorn sheep will become more visible as they move down from their high elevation summer ranges to find food and shelter at lower elevations, where they’ll stay until early April.
The Refuge Road is the official entrance onto the NER, with no fee required to visit.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, the NER will host a Love Your Refuge Day at the Visitor Center located at 532 North Cache St. with postcards for people to write or draw what they love the most about the NER.
