Great ‘Staycation’ Destinations: National Wildlife Refuges

Image via WikipediaStaycations are back, thanks to high pump prices and tight family budgets.
Luckily, relief from boredom is closer than you may have imagined, in
often-dramatic natural settings: national wildlife refuges. There’s a
national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major American
cities.

For families, national wildlife refuges are full of free or low-cost
outdoor summer adventures from paddle trips and fishing rodeos to
butterfly counts and scavenger hunts in the night sky. Spark wonder in
kids, thrill to a seasonal wildlife spectacle or just enjoy a quiet walk
or hike and an escape from the daily bustle.

The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, is the premier system of public lands and waters set aside to
conserve America’s fish, wildlife and plants. Recreational opportunities
and activities for kids abound on national wildlife refuges. Some refuges
also protect historic and cultural treasures, such as pueblo sites in New
Mexico, ancient Native American burial mounds in Mississippi, segments of
the Lewis and Clark Trail in Washington state, and lighthouses along the
East Coast. (The Assateague Lighthouse on Chincoteague National Wildlife
Refuge in Virginia is a popular tourist stop.)

Refuges are outdoor laboratories, teeming with chances to learn about
habitat conservation.

What other out-of-the-ordinary things can you do on a national wildlife
refuge? Here are three examples:
       Reserve a “wild ride” to view bison, prairie dogs and other
wildlife at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Denver.
The free two-hour tours head out Wednesdays and Saturdays year-round at
9:30 a.m.
       Reserve a boat tour to Lighthouse Island on Cape Romain National
Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina to see two historic lighthouses — plus
wading birds and osprey. The $45 tour at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, August 21, is
one of only four a year. To reserve, call 843-884-7684. Or rent a boat in
nearby McClellanville and explore the island on your own.
       Explore Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge by
bike. View birds along the 9-mile route, and learn about the restoration
of the refuge’s salt pond landscape. The event is slated for Saturday,
July 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For reservations, call 510-792-0222 ext.
139. Rain will cancel the event.

To find a refuge near you, use the “Find Your Refuge” feature on the
Refuge System homepage.
See a list of highlighted summer events on refuges across the country. Or
check the special events page accessible from the Refuge System homepage.
Listings are chronological and updated regularly.


The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others
to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a
leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for
our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources,
dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more
information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit
www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws,
follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at
http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.