Mammals
220 mammal species find sanctuary on refuges, including large mammals like bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears (black, brown/grizzly, and polar), wolves, and mountain lions. Smaller mammals include bats, foxes, otters, beavers, prairie dogs, and countless rodent species. Marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and walruses inhabit coastal refuges.
Flora
Refuges protect hundreds of plant species that provide the habitat structure and food sources wildlife depend on—from native grasses and wildflowers to wetland vegetation, forests, and specialized plant communities.
Reptiles & Amphibians
250 reptile and amphibian species thrive on refuges, including sea turtles, alligators, snakes, lizards, tortoises, frogs, toads, and salamanders. Refuges provide protected wetlands, undisturbed beaches, healthy streams, and intact forests where these species continue to thrive.
Waterfowl
Waterfowl rely on refuges as critical stopover points along their epic migration journeys, spanning thousands of miles. Across the Dakotas and as far north as Alaska, waterfowl nest and raise young who learn to return each year. Across all four major North American flyways, wildlife refuges ensure millions of waterfowl complete their seasonal migrations year after year.
Raptors
From bald eagles soaring over pristine waterways to peregrine falcons diving at 200 miles per hour, raptors are apex predators that shape entire ecosystems—and refuges provide the undisturbed space they need to hunt, nest, and raise their young. Refuges protect essential habitat for hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, and vultures, ensuring these powerful hunters continue to soar over American skies.
Small donation. Massive impact.
Make your gift today. Donations directly support the nonprofit Friends groups working on the ground at refuges across the country — restoring habitat, protecting endangered species, and building the communities that make these places thrive for generations to come.
The refuge system has spent over 120 years proving that when we protect habitat, wildlife recovers—but the work is far from finished. Join us in protecting America’s wildlife refuges so the species we’ve fought to save— and the wild places that sustain us all—endure for generations to come.
