NDWF Welcomes Renewed Focus on Conservation and Access on Public Lands

Bismarck, ND — The North Dakota Wildlife Federation (NDWF) welcomes signals from the U.S. Department of the Interior indicating renewed attention to conservation management and public access across National Wildlife Refuges and other Interior lands.

“North Dakota is home to 63 National Wildlife Refuges, more than any other state in the nation, and these lands are central to both our conservation heritage and our outdoor traditions,” said John Bradley, NDWF Executive Director. “We appreciate efforts by the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to refocus attention on refuges and their role in conserving wildlife while providing meaningful public access.”

North Dakota’s refuges are a critical part of the Central Flyway, supporting spectacular spring and fall migrations of hundreds of thousands of waterfowl, including ducks, geese, and tundra swans. Refuges protect diverse habitats, from prairie potholes and wetlands to grasslands and woodlands. These habitats sustain more than 250 bird species as well as deer, moose, pheasants, and other wildlife. Legal hunting and fishing are core conservation tools and appropriate uses on most refuge lands. These activities connect people directly to wildlife management and generate critical funding for conservation through Federal Duck Stamps and excise taxes (Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson).

NDWF looks forward to working constructively with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure our public lands continue to deliver strong conservation outcomes while supporting responsible access for the American public.

“Hunters and anglers have invested in these lands for decades,” Bradley continued. “Refuges demonstrate wildlife management to the public and are often the primary way people interact with the Fish and Wildlife Service. To succeed, these public lands must be cared for over the long term, and refuges must have the professional staff and resources needed to manage wildlife and serve the public effectively.”

NDWF looks forward to working constructively with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure our public lands continue to deliver strong conservation outcomes while supporting responsible access for the American public.