The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced the establishment of two new national wildlife refuges in Wyoming and Tennessee. This marks the second and third wildlife refuges created by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and brings the total number of units in the National Wildlife Refuge System to 570.
The first refuge, called the Wyoming Toad Conservation Area, will protect the habitat of the endangered Wyoming toad, as well as the habitat of the white-tailed prairie dog, pronghorn, and migratory birds. The creation of this refuge began in 2017 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed a land protection plan and purchased 1,078 acres with funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The second refuge, known as the Paint Rock River National Wildlife Refuge, is the result of a multi-year process. Authorization for this refuge was granted in 2016, and it was recently finalized with a donation of 87.37 acres in Franklin County, Tennessee. The Paint Rock River Refuge will protect the wildlife and habitat of various animals and freshwater species, while also expanding recreational opportunities for the local community.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland expressed the importance of these new refuges, stating, "National wildlife refuges help connect Americans to a diverse array of public lands while also serving as a crucial means of protecting wildlife and conserving habitat. Through locally led collaborative conservation, these two special landscapes are now protected as part of our shared natural heritage and accessible to everyone."
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the National Wildlife Refuge System, emphasized the significance of partnerships in conservation efforts. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said, "Locally led conservation efforts provide a lasting impact on our efforts to protect crucial wildlife habitat for threatened, endangered, and priority species while prioritizing recreational access."
National Wildlife Refuges, like the two recently established in Wyoming and Tennessee, play a vital role in preserving natural ecosystems and supporting local economies. In 2017 alone, these refuges welcomed over 50 million visitors and supported 41,000 jobs, generating $1.1 billion in employment income, according to the "Banking on Nature" publication.
The creation of these new national wildlife refuges demonstrates the government's dedication to protecting wildlife and conserving habitat, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the benefits of these natural landscapes.
