At the National Wildlife Refuge Association we're excited to partner with Southwest Airlines this Earth Day and for Volunteer Week! Together, NWRA and Southwest have teamed up to promote volunteering on national wildlife refuges in Florida and across the country.
America’s national wildlife refuges--there are 545 in all states and territories--are the perfect place for nature lovers to volunteer. In fact, there’s a national wildlife refuge within just an hour’s drive of nearly all major metropolitan areas, including all Southwest cities.
National wildlife refuges, operated by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, are set aside to protect habitat for thousands of species of wildlife and plants. Refuges in Florida protect manatees, alligators, Florida panthers, whooping cranes, and many many other migratory birds.
As a non-profit wildlife conservation organization, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has a simple goal: to protect America's wildlife. NWRA works with refuges and an incredibly diverse group of partners to achieve this goal, leveraging millions of dollars of public and private dollars for conservation each year. We give wildlife a voice on Capitol Hill, and we mobilize thousands of local volunteers associated with refuge 'Friends' groups around the country in support of our wildlife refuges. You can learn more about us at, www.refugeassociation.org.
Working with Southwest we've identified opportunities for company employees to get their hands dirty volunteering on refuges all across Florida, including Crystal River, Merritt Island, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee, J.N. “Ding” Darling and Florida Panther - all near Southwest cities like Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Fort Myers. Projects range from removing fishing line from mangroves, to pulling invasive species and picking up trash.
We hope these volunteer projects will inspire others around the country to get out, experience our natural wonders and make a difference for America's wildlife!
(photos courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)