The Friends support for the refuges includes advocacy with our regional, state and national leaders such as , by providing testimony to Congress, requesting resource allocations from USFWS and providing letters of support to partner agencies and organizations applying for grants that will help the refuge.
Below are examples of our advocacy in action.
The management of individual refuge system units is dictated, in large part, by the legislation, executive order, or administrative action that creates the unit. The refuge purpose(s) reflected in enabling legislation, executive orders and administrative actions may range from very narrow to very broad.
Operation and management of national wildlife refuges are also influenced by a wide array of other laws, treaties and executive orders pertaining to the conservation and protection of natural and cultural resources. Among the most important orders and laws affecting the operation and management of refuges are Executive Order 12996, the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, the Refuge Recreation Act, the Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
The National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Act was passed in November 2000 to help celebrate the 2003 Centennial of the establishment of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Current legislation under consideration and recently enacted legislation impacting the refuges includes the following:
You can learn more on the US Fish and Wildlife website at https://www.fws.gov/refuges/policiesandbudget/mandates.html
