Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day

September 29 is Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day — the date designated by the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the special importance of urban national wildlife refuges in enriching the lives of Americans and their communities.  This weekend, more than 30 urban national wildlife refuges will celebrate this day by encouraging people of all ages to get outside to learn about nature. For the 80 percent of Americans who live in or near cities, urban national wildlife refuges can provide vital access to nature and outdoor recreation, boosting residents’ health and well-being. Urban refuges strive to be good neighbors by supporting residents’ needs and communities’ visions to revitalize their streets, green spaces and schools.

Of the 567 wildlife refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, 101 are urban refuges. Urban National Wildlife Refuges are units of the National Wildlife Refuge System that have a population center of at least 250,000 people within 25 miles of their boundaries. The Service established the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program to inspire Americans to connect with nature and the outdoors to become stewards of the environment and empower local organizations, cities, and towns across the country to support innovative, community-based conservation.