Sens. Coons, Kennedy celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week

Statement

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Kennedy (R-Louis.) introduced a resolution to designate the week of October 13-19 as "National Wildlife Refuge Week.' The resolution celebrates the diverse ecosystems, species, and recreational opportunities found in our National Wildlife Refuge System, including hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and environmental education. This system is the nation's largest network of public lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and plays a significant role in wildlife conservation.

"I'm proud to support National Wildlife Refuge Week with my friend and colleague, Senator Kennedy," said Senator Coons. "Delaware's Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge offer great outdoor recreational opportunities and preserve sensitive habitats for numerous species of birds and other wildlife. I encourage Delawareans and all Americans to visit a National Wildlife Refuge near you."

"Louisiana has 24 unique wildlife refuges that are home to some of Louisiana's beautiful wildlife," said Senator Kennedy. "National Wildlife Refuge Week recognizes the important role these refuges play in providing a habitat for our native species. I join my friend Sen. Coons in encouraging everyone to visit a refuge near you."

The Refuge System includes 567 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts covering over 150 million acres of lands. More than 50 million Americans visit refuges every year and refuges support regional economies to the tune of $3.2 billion per year and more than 41,000 jobs.

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