6 Books About National Wildlife Refuges To Keep You Busy During Quarantine

Looking for good books to read about America’s portfolio of public lands and the National Wildlife Refuge System? 

You have come to the right blog post!  There are dozens of amazing books, hundreds of magazine articles and thousands of blog posts and interesting links about refuges.  Below is a list of some of our favorites.  

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The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world’s largest network of lands and waters set aside for wildlife conservation.  The Refuge System is a cornerstone of the portfolio of public lands that have created America’s wildlife heritage. The Refuge System is often misunderstood or mistaken for other public lands like National Parks - but unlike any other public lands, The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only system of public lands devoted specifically to wildlife.  Here are some links to books and articles that will answer your questions, and inspire you to want to know more about National Wildlife Refuges and engage on the issues facing public lands today.

Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation

This is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s vision for the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Service released Conserving the Future as the culmination of 18 months of study and public conversation about conservation and the future of the Refuge System.  A worthy read that remains relevant today.

Smithsonian Book of National Wildlife Refuges - Eric Jay Dolin 

Stretching from the cypress swamps of Okefenokee to the pristine wilderness of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, this book is a wonderful guide to these remarkable natural habitats. This book features hundreds of color photographs and a text by nature writer Eric Jay Dolin which surveys the history of the U.S refuge system from its beginnings with Theodore Roosevelt's proclamation creating the first National Wildlife Refuge at Pelican Island up to today's wildlife preservation initiatives and challenges.

Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness - Edward Abbey

Abbey’s first nonfiction book.  Written more than fifty years ago; Abbey imagined a population losing touch with nature, threatening our wildest places.  His passion for the solitude and beauty found in the backcountry will get you thinking about the importance of public lands - like National Wildlife Refuges.  Fun fact:  Abbey may be buried on Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.

The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America - Douglas Brinkley

A President, naturalist, and conservationist, it would be great to know what Roosevelt would say about the current threats our refuges and other public lands such as Wilderness Areas, National Parks, Forests, Seashores, and BLM lands. Roosevelt was ahead of his time when he conceived a system that would provide all Americans a place to enjoy our wildlife heritage. He also recognized the need to conserve wild places based on their environmental importance alone.  The Wilderness Warrior documents the fascinating story of Roosevelt’s efforts to shape the idea of conservation as we know it today, providing us a platform for tomorrow.

America’s Public Lands: From Yellowstone to Smokey Bear and Beyond - Randall K. Wilson

This is an overview of the American public lands system. It breaks down the history of how it began and how nature and conservation played a role in the creation of our public lands system. Wilson describes the different public land agencies, discussing how they work, what their goals are and the difficult management issues they currently face. 

America's National Wildlife Refuges: A Complete Guide - Russell D. Butcher

Dreaming of where you will go when stay at home and shelter in place orders are lifted?  Go no further than this all-in-one guide to the more than 500 sites in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This book lists each refuge alphabetically by state, providing basic information about accessibility, facilities, and type of habitat. More in-depth descriptions are provided for significant or popular refuges, detailing flora and fauna to be found there as well as information on the best time of year to year to view migrating species. Ideal for the casual wildlife watcher or hunting enthusiast, this guide will also be a welcome companion for anyone wishing to create his or her own "eco-tour."

Let us know in the comments below what you recommend for “refuge readers” and help us cultivate and share the stories of our amazing National Wildlife Refuge System.