NEW MEXICO – For 250 years and counting, recreationists, birders and communities across the United States have come together over our shared love of the great outdoors. To celebrate that love, New Mexicans can visit one of the nine national wildlife refuges across the state during this hallmark year — many of which are within an hour drive of major cities!
From the alpine tundra to juniper savannah, through grassy plains to vast deserts, that are home to black bears, songbirds, roadrunners, bats and Gila monsters, New Mexico is renowned for its biodiversity. More than 300,000 acres across nine of the national wildlife refuges in the state are federally protected from development and habitat destruction so that wildlife may continue to flourish for generations.
“Wildlife in our state face growing threats, making dedicated wildlife refuges critically important for endangered species such as the Southwestern willow flycatcher and Mexican gray wolf, as well as many other species that make New Mexico unique,” said Peggy Darr, New Mexico representative at Defenders of Wildlife.
Hundreds of species of mammals, birds and fish listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act rely on the undisturbed nature of a wildlife refuge for their survival. In a 2025 report published by Defenders of Wildlife, at least 472 listed species occur on refuges, and at least 440 refuges support at least one listed species.
Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System is the largest network of conservation lands dedicated to protecting fish and wildlife in the U.S. and across the world: more than 850 million acres of land and water. By law, the FWS must conserve and protect wildlife and their habitats within the refuge system, for current and future generations.
With refuges found in every state, Americans have the unique opportunity to revel in the beauty of our country’s public lands and to admire the wildlife found there.
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About Defenders of Wildlife:
Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit https://defenders.org/newsroom and follow us on Twitter @Defenders.
Media Contact
Name: Jacqueline Covey
Phone: 505-898-8689
Email: jcovey@defenders.org
Media for download
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