@USFWSRefuges

The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premier system of public lands & waters set aside to conserve fish, wildlife & plants. RT/like/follow≠endorse

 United States
fws.gov/program/national-wildlife-refuge-system
Joined May 2009
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  • Following4.5K
  • Followers38.3K
12.6KMedia
"I'm a birder at heart. Getting out into nature & enjoying it helps center me, & it helps reinvigorate the passion I have for wildlife." - Project leader Nick Stanley, Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, CA. Nick's story: ow.ly/bEpf50OA7WB #BlackBirdersWeek
Nick standing outdoors with a flower field behind him

ALT Nick standing outdoors with a flower field behind him

Nick using binoculars

ALT Nick using binoculars

two sandhill cranes one is standing and one is grazing

ALT two sandhill cranes one is standing and one is grazing

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Since time immemorial, salmon were the common thread uniting Tribal communities throughout the Klamath River Basin. But a changing climate is impacting the natural world, especially the once abundant salmon runs. Learn more: fws.gov/story/2023-05/people… Photo by Roger Tabor/USFWS
a school of Chinook salmon swimming in a river

ALT a school of Chinook salmon swimming in a river

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USFWS Refuge System retweeted
USFWS Fire (Archived)@USFWSFire17 May 2023
Apprenticeships are permanent, entry-level #firejobs providing 3,000 hours of training & on-the-job experience. No previous firefighting experience req'd! Apply on @USAJOBS: ow.ly/vf9F50Opz48 Learn how to apply: ow.ly/aTv150Opz2w @USFWSCareers 📸 USFWS
Now hiring wildland fire apprentices. Two wildland firefighters stand behind an engine prepping saw gear

ALT Now hiring wildland fire apprentices. Two wildland firefighters stand behind an engine prepping saw gear

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Sometimes it's hard to be a serious and professional science agency when amphibians like the northern red salamander exist. Our first caption was, "LOOK AT THIS PERFECT SMOL NUGGET! HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING MORE PERFECT IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE?! LOOK AT THEM DO THEIR PUSHY UPPIES!
A close-up view of a red colored salamander with black spots.

ALT A close-up view of a red colored salamander with black spots.

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Who can call bingo first? Bird watching is one of the easiest outdoor activities to try. Once you're hooked, you can start keeping lists and tell all your friends fun bird facts, trust us, they'll love it 😉 Visit a national wildlife refuge near you ow.ly/u8r150Oharm
bingo card with a yellow bird and grey bird image. Card items include bird with a long beak. Bird on the ground. A group of 3 or more birds. Bird swimming. Bird perched on a wire or fence. A bird singing. All or mostly black bird. A bird with long legs. A bird with yellow feathers.

ALT bingo card with a yellow bird and grey bird image. Card items include bird with a long beak. Bird on the ground. A group of 3 or more birds. Bird swimming. Bird perched on a wire or fence. A bird singing. All or mostly black bird. A bird with long legs. A bird with yellow feathers.

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On this Earth Day, let us stand, Together for the good of the land. Let's celebrate this sunrise with pride, And vow to keep the Earth's beauty alive. 📸: Sunrise at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge courtesy of Erik Fremstad.
The rays of the sun pierce through the morning fog to shine on a large tree and a field filled with wildflowers.

ALT The rays of the sun pierce through the morning fog to shine on a large tree and a field filled with wildflowers.

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Meet Jesus and Miguel Jimenez: A father and son who have dedicated their careers to national wildlife refuges in CA. Miguel is currently the Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex project leader and Jesus is an engineering equipment operator in the Klamath Basin. #thread (1/3)
Jesus and Miguel smiling at the camera with trees behind them.

ALT Jesus and Miguel smiling at the camera with trees behind them.

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Our hero, the cutthroat trout, is back to continue its epic journey through the Bear River! We last left off in Evanston, Wyoming, where our hero overcame the Old Evanston Dam. Today, this trout meets a new foe turned friend.
As early as 1952, the Bear River flooded when it reached the Almy Ditch. Sediment blockind the stream from flowing contributed to flooding. Dams helped ranchers divert water for irrigation, but they also posed a barrier for fish. Partners to the rescue! A team worked together to reestablish stable banks at Almy Ditch. The project installed structures that are low-effort for landowners and crossable for fish. The adventuring Bear River cutthroat trout can continue on its journey upstream!

ALT As early as 1952, the Bear River flooded when it reached the Almy Ditch. Sediment blockind the stream from flowing contributed to flooding. Dams helped ranchers divert water for irrigation, but they also posed a barrier for fish. Partners to the rescue! A team worked together to reestablish stable banks at Almy Ditch. The project installed structures that are low-effort for landowners and crossable for fish. The adventuring Bear River cutthroat trout can continue on its journey upstream!

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As temps rise, northern water snakes begin to come out of winter denning sites to find mates. In late summer, females will give birth to live litters averaging 20-25 young. These nonvenomous snakes aren't dangerous to people but will bite in self-defense. 📷 Jessica Bolser/USFWS
A northern water snake basking in the sun

ALT A northern water snake basking in the sun

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Hawaiian monk seal and green sea turtle are just "good friends."
A sea turtle and a Hawiian monk seal snuggle up next to each other on a sandy beach near the ocean.

ALT A sea turtle and a Hawiian monk seal snuggle up next to each other on a sandy beach near the ocean.

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On a liquid diet? The wood nymph is. This common wood nymph uses its proboscis, a straw-like mouthpart, to drink sweet nectar from flowers. A proboscis is rolled up when not in use. 📷 by Laurie Sheppard/USFWS flic.kr/p/VjEJiW
Light tan butterfly with brown spots sits on a purple flower.

ALT Light tan butterfly with brown spots sits on a purple flower.

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Water still too chilly at the beach? No worries! You can still enjoy coastal vibes at national wildlife refuges! Did you know the FWS has more than 180 national wildlife refuges that conserve marine, coastal and Great Lakes habitats? 📷 A. LaValle/USFWS at Dungeness NWR
View of rocky beach with mountains in the background and a bird flying

ALT View of rocky beach with mountains in the background and a bird flying

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We're celebrating 120 years of the National Wildlife Refuge System, with 568 national wildlife refuges nationwide. Visits to wildlife refuges benefit communities, generating $3.2 billion+ in visitor spending annually. ow.ly/b3mm50Nj8Ug
Four elk stand with mountains in the distance.

ALT Four elk stand with mountains in the distance.

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Planting native plants is a great way to support local ecosystems. Purple coneflowers, like the ones pictured here at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, are beneficial for pollinators and other wildlife! 📷FWS Eileen Tramontana ow.ly/RWaM50NfFMM
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We humbly ask that you not step on or pick the wildflowers at your national wildlife refuges or public lands this spring. The pollinators need them.
A photo of an open field filled with colorful wildflowers. An altered image of a giant wildflower wearing a big puffy winter coat. The text reads: I am once again asking for you to not trample or pick me.

ALT A photo of an open field filled with colorful wildflowers. An altered image of a giant wildflower wearing a big puffy winter coat. The text reads: I am once again asking for you to not trample or pick me.

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They’ve built the nest. She laid her eggs. Now, we wait. Viewers can follow along for all the bird drama with the Bald Eagle Cam at the National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia and enjoy the tender moments around the nest. outdoorchannel.com/live/eagl…
A bald eagle watches over her two eggs in a nest high up in a tree.

ALT A bald eagle watches over her two eggs in a nest high up in a tree.

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These factors, coupled with several days of calm, undisturbed water and just the right angle of sunlight, will result in this seldom-seen rainbow phenomenon in swamps and marshes.
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USFWS Refuge System retweeted
USFWS Fire (Archived)@USFWSFire27 Feb 2023
#GoodFire season continues on @USFWSRefuges in #California. Last week #firefighters implemented a 150 acre #RxFire on #DelevanNationalWildlifeRefuge. The #RxBurn opened habitat for waterfowl & will allow access for a future habitat improvement project. 📸 Frank Alves/ USFWS
A fire engine and firefighter are on a dirt road alongside a wetland, and in front of an ignited prescribed burn. The burn is producing dramatic flames and a large cloud of black smoke against a blue sky.

ALT A fire engine and firefighter are on a dirt road alongside a wetland, and in front of an ignited prescribed burn. The burn is producing dramatic flames and a large cloud of black smoke against a blue sky.

An airboat is shown navigating a wetland and bulrush islands in front of a prescribed burn that is flaming and producing black smoke.

ALT An airboat is shown navigating a wetland and bulrush islands in front of a prescribed burn that is flaming and producing black smoke.

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USFWS Refuge System retweeted
Project FeederWatch@Feederwatch23 Feb 2023
This Spotted Towhee, "spotted" by Cathleen Nichols, looks to be puffing its feathers to get warmed up from the recent snowfall. This species may visit feeders in the West for sunflower seeds, cracked corn, milo, peanut hearts, or millet. Have they visited your feeders?
A large sparrow with rufous sides and a black head and neck looks out of one eye towards the camera while atop a brnach covered in snow.

ALT A large sparrow with rufous sides and a black head and neck looks out of one eye towards the camera while atop a brnach covered in snow.

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Do you design a costume for Mardi Gras? Have inspiration for next year? We want to introduce you to the purple gallinule. They step out in all their glorious colors across the southeast coastal region, from South Carolina to Texas and into South America. 📸: John Magera/USFWS
a striking blue and purple iridescent bird with large yellow feet, a red and yellow bill, and a bright blue cap walks on a lily pad

ALT a striking blue and purple iridescent bird with large yellow feet, a red and yellow bill, and a bright blue cap walks on a lily pad

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