National Wildlife Refuge

National Wildlife Refuge System
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Location United States
Area859 million acres
EstablishedMarch 14, 1903 (1903-03-14)
Visitors65 million (in FY 2022)
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The National Wildlife Refuge System is a system of protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.