The Department of Interior released a press release today announcing Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s praise for the Senate’s confirmation of Sam D. Hamilton as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees the National Wildlife Refuge System.

“Sam is a veteran manager, innovative leader, and strong advocate for sound science,” Salazar said. [...]

Alaska photographer Patrick Endres has posted an amazing collection of aerial photography from Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in his Alaska PhotoGraphics blog.
In this day of high energy demands and exploding human populations, many argue over whether wilderness such as this is necessary. In reply, I provide a quote from Howard Zahniser, who was [...]

Power Lines Draw More Fire

Journey to the Farallones - KQED QUEST Radio Report

Two new faces at Willapa Refuge focus on habitat restoration and visitor services

Hawaiian Bird Fossils Found in Kalaeloa

Volunteers Restore Two Mile Beach Refuge

Old Bill’s wild refuge

Students Learned about Wakulla’s Environment at 2009 SEEK Conference

A Trip to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

In past blog entries (April 1, 2009 and June 29, 2008), Refuge Watch has reported on the impact of the border wall that is being built along the Unites States-Mexico border, with special emphasis on its impact at Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.
In the video below, Krista Schlyer — who is [...]

Volunteers fined for leaving water for border crossers

City wants power lines to bypass San Antonio

Donation made to restore lighthouse at Chincoteague NWR

Bateman Center offers educational wildlife exhibits

Wildfires continue burning on Sabine National Wildlife Refuge

Fire Burns Approximately 150 Acres on the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife refuge fire reignites near Slidell

TCPalm.com recently reported on an effort by Orlando-based filmmakers to get their Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge documentary — called “Feather Wars” — on PBS.
From TCPalm.com:

Set in the period from 1875 to 1910, “Feather Wars” tells of the beginning of wildlife conservation in the United States.
Originally titled “The Story of Pelican Island,” the name [...]

The Marshall News Messenger is reporting that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the new Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in east Texas will officially open to the public during ceremonies on September 26.
In October 2007, this blog reported the details on how Caddo Lake NWR came about as a land transfer between the [...]

Transmission Troubles

Skaggs Island closer to refuge status

Coast Guard Crew Collects 32 Tons of Debris

Children can become nature explorers at wildlife refuge

Sudbury refuge’s visitors center nearly complete

Monomoy Island and its Wildlife Refuge are Cape Cod’s best kept secret

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that they have joined with Fisheries Friends Groups in the official establishment of a National Fisheries Friends Partnership (NFFP).
From the press release:

Fisheries Friends Groups are non-profit organizations that work in partnership with the Service at National Fish Hatcheries, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices and Fish Health and [...]

A new episode of Refuge TV from the National Wildlife Refuge Association explains why you need to contact your U.S. senators immediately and urge them to adopt the House Refuge System funding level for Fiscal Year 2010.

Visit the NWRA Action Alert page for more information.
Tags:
National Wildlife Refuge System, National Wildlife Refuge Association, Refuge TV

Today the Baltimore Sun reported on growing opposition to a proposed power line project that would include 140-foot transmission towers on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway, which is proposed by Pepco Holdings, could present a special threat to habitat around Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland.
From The Sun:

A $1.2 billion, 150-mile [...]

Wildlife refuge grazing deal sought

Environmentalists Sue Over Energy Transmission Across Federal Lands

Jefferson County toll road faces red tape

Turbine location must consider birds

Common Murres Nest at Matinicus Rock/Maine Coastal Islands NWR

Volunteers leave their mark on Noxubee Wildlife Refuge

Malheur a birders’ delight