National Wildlife Refuges provide valuable habitat to endangered species of plants and animals. Here is a list of just a few of the 566 National Wildlife Refuges and the valuable role they play in conservation and protection of the habitat of past and current endangered species. 

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Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge-During the late 1800's entire flocks of birds were slaughtered for their feathers. Plumes from the birds were used to adorn ladies' hats and were worth more than their weight in gold. During the late 1800's and early 1900's Pelican Island, a 5.5 acre island, was the last rookery for brown pelicans on the east coast of Florida. In March of 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt established Pelican Island in the Indian River Lagoon as the first federal bird reservation giving birth to the National Wildlife Refuge System. Florida

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Audubon National Wildlife Refuge- Snake Creek National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1956 but  in 1967, renamed Audubon NWR to honor John James Audubon, one of the great naturalists and wildlife painters of the 19th century. Since 1956 Audubon National Wildlife Refuge has played an important role in the restoration of Giant Canada Goose. North Dakota

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Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge-Established in 1984 to provide habitat and protection for endangered species including red wolves, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and American alligators.  Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge has one of the largest concentrations of black bear found in the southeastern United States. North Carolina

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Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge Established in1939 to provide habitat for migratory birds. Farming practices and timber clearing almost drove the the Red-cockaded Woodpecker to extinction. Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge is now involved in the restoration and enhancement of longleaf pine habitat for the benefit of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, named as an endangered species in 1970. South Carolina

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Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

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Patoka National Wildlife Refuge

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Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

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Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge

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Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge Chase Lake is home to the largest breeding colony of American White pelicans and has been identified by the American Bird Conservancy as one of the top 100 Globally Important Bird Areas in the United States. North Dakota

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Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

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Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge

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Ernest B Hollings Ace Basin Natinal Wildlife Refuge

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Upper Souis National Wildlife Refuge During the 1930's drought of the Great Plains, populations of waterfowl plummeted. Conservationists like political cartoonist  Jay N. "Ding" Darling and his top aide J. Clark Salyer at the Bureau of Biological Survey push the Duck Stamp Act through Congress in 1934, requiring every waterfowl hunter to annually purchase and carry a Federal Duck Stamp. Proceeds from the sale of Duck Stamps were used to purchase waterfowl habitat.  In 1935, Salyer used Duck Stamp receipts to purchase three refuges, including Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge. North Dakota

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