A Photo Appreciation of America’s National Wildlife Refuges
In recent years, the United States has witnessed a growing focus on its national wildlife refuges, which serve as critical havens for diverse ecosystems and wildlife. These refuges, spanning from the snowy landscapes of Alaska to the warm shores of Florida, protect vital habitats and offer sanctuary to countless species, including bison, snow geese, and polar bears. For instance, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado not only provides a refuge for bison but also showcases the stunning contrast between nature and the Denver skyline, highlighting the importance of preserving natural spaces amidst urban development. Similarly, the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico attracts thousands of snow geese each winter, creating breathtaking scenes of migration that draw birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts from across the country.
However, these natural sanctuaries face significant challenges, particularly from human activities such as development and resource extraction. Recent legal actions have emerged, notably in Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, where tribal governments and environmental organizations have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration’s decision to allow road construction through protected areas. This controversy underscores the ongoing tension between conservation efforts and economic interests, as advocates argue that such developments threaten the integrity of these vital ecosystems. The plight of wildlife refuges is further exemplified by the plight of species like the harbor seal in the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the green sea turtles in the Midway Atoll, both of which rely on their respective habitats for survival.
As public awareness of these issues grows, so does the call for stronger protections for wildlife refuges. These areas not only play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation but also serve as essential resources for scientific research, recreation, and education. The diverse landscapes of the national wildlife refuges—from the marshes of Florida to the mountains of Montana—offer unique opportunities for visitors to connect with nature and appreciate the rich tapestry of life that these protected areas support. As we move forward, it is imperative to balance human interests with the need to safeguard these irreplaceable ecosystems, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty and biodiversity that national wildlife refuges have to offer.
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.
