About U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Setting the plank for Hackmatack on Pelican Island in 2012 with Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
The National Wildlife Refuge System is a national network of public lands set aside specifically to protect wild animals and plants. Found in all 50 states and five U.S. territories. The Refuge System includes 568 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts covering 95 million acres of land. National Wildlife Refuges are special places with significant natural resources where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acquires land and/or conservation easements.
The National Wildlife Refuge System was created in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt with Florida’s 5.5 acre Pelican Island named the first refuge.
Flowchart of Government for Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated Island Communities. There are 11 Bureaus within the Department of the Interior.
The only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the American people. There are 13 Programs within the USFWS.
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation,
management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United
States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
In 2012, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge was established as the 561st National Wildlife Refuge.
The Friends of Hackmatack NWR is a volunteer group that began when a small group of locals decided to find out if they could gather enough interest to establish a National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. They accomplished this goal, and then incorporated as nonprofit in 2013.
Friends of Hackmatack NWR operates under the direction of a Refuge Manager. We are a non-profit organization that serves to conserve & enhance the natural and cultural resources, rural character and scenic beauty of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge and to connect people to these resources.
Friends of Hackmatack NWR
P.O. Box 413
Richmond, IL 60071
friendsofhackmatacknwr@gmail.com
Call 262-448-3558 to listen for the latest updates on upcoming activities. If you need to reach us, please leave a message and we will return your call.
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