A Photo Appreciation of America’s National Wildlife Refuges
In a stunning showcase of America’s natural beauty, the country’s national wildlife refuges serve as vital sanctuaries for diverse wildlife and ecosystems. From the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado, where bison roam against the backdrop of the Denver skyline, to the serene vistas of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, which becomes alive with the migration of snow geese each winter, these refuges provide essential habitats for countless species. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia is home to wild ponies that graze peacefully, while the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument in American Samoa protects marine life, including vibrant coral reefs and fish populations. Each refuge not only supports biodiversity but also offers visitors a chance to connect with nature, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts across the country.
Recent developments underscore the ongoing challenges faced by these natural habitats. For instance, in Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, a coalition of tribal governments and environmental organizations has filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, aiming to halt plans for road construction that could disrupt the delicate ecosystem. Similarly, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, known for its polar bears and pristine landscapes, faces threats from various industrial activities. The ongoing legal battles and environmental advocacy illustrate the critical need to protect these areas from encroachment and degradation. As the public becomes more aware of the significance of these refuges, initiatives to safeguard them are gaining momentum, emphasizing the role of wildlife refuges not only as havens for animals but also as essential components of our planet’s ecological health.
Through stunning visuals and compelling stories of wildlife, such as the black skimmers of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida and the majestic orcas of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, these areas remind us of the beauty and diversity of life on Earth. As we explore these refuges, we are called to reflect on our responsibility to preserve these environments for future generations, ensuring that the chorus of birds, the grazing of elk, and the migration of geese continue to thrive in their natural habitats. The narrative of America’s wildlife refuges is not just one of conservation, but also of hope and resilience, as communities and individuals rally to protect the rich tapestry of life that these sanctuaries represent.
Matt Dirksen / iStockphoto / Getty
A bison walks through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado, with the Denver skyline visible in the background.
Vicki Jauron / Babylon and Beyond Photography / Getty
Snow geese take flight in the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico in winter.
Matt McClain /
The Washington Post
/ Getty
Wild ponies drink and graze in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on December 18, 2018, in Accomack County, Virginia.
Ian Shive / Planet Pix / ZUMA Wire / Reuters
Fish gather around coral in the lagoon surrounding Rose Atoll Marine National Monument and National Wildlife Refuge, the easternmost island of American Samoa.
Kristine Sowl / ZUMA Wire / Reuters
Steep mountains rise above the Joshua Green River Valley in Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. A group of tribal governments and environmental organizations
filed several lawsuits
this month against the Trump administration, trying to block recent actions that would allow a road to be built through the wildlife refuge.
Aric Crabb / Staff / ZUMA Wire / Reuters
An adult harbor seal watches over a pup as they lay out along the Newark Slough in the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont, California.
Bruce Bennett / Getty
A black skimmer glides above the water in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida on February 9, 2025.
John Morrison / Getty
A herd of elk grazes in the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, on the Missouri River in northern Montana.
Qian Weizhong / VCG / Getty
Blackbirds fly over Cibola National Wildlife Refuge in Yuma, Arizona, on February 22, 2023.
Ingrid Land / 500px / Getty
A view of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, on the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaii
David Patte / Planet Pix / ZUMA Wire / Reuters
Green sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs in the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge on Midway Atoll.
Sylvain Cordier / Gamma-Rapho / Getty
A polar bear walks across snow in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Laura Hedien / Getty
A pod of orcas swims through Uganik Bay in Alaska’s Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.
Stan Honda / AFP / Getty
A heron wades in shallow water in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida.
Susan Stocker /
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
/ Tribune News Service / Getty
Phill and Elizabeth Frias walk along the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Palm Beach County, Florida.
VW Pics / Universal Images Group / Getty
Canada geese swim in Lower Klamath Lake, with Mount Shasta in the distance, in California’s Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.
Tom Koerner / Planet Pix / ZUMA Wire / Reuters
A coyote hides in reeds while hunting in Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
KenCanning / iStockphoto / Getty
A snowy owl stands on a beach in Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island in Massachusetts.
James R. D. Scott / Getty
A manatee swims through Three Sisters Springs in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Citrus County, Florida.
Peter Pearsall / Planet Pix / ZUMA Wire / Reuters
A tree swallow takes flight from a red-hot-poker bloom in the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex near Eugene, Oregon.
Charlie Riedel / AP
A woman watches snow geese fly over Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge in Mound City, Missouri.
