refuge

In the early 1970s, David Wolkowsky began stewarding a remote island near Key West and hosted famous guests there; decades later the 14-acre Ballast Key became part of a national wildlife refuge

by
In the early 1970s, David Wolkowsky began stewarding a remote island near Key West and hosted famous guests there; decades later the 14-acre Ballast Key became part of a national wildlife refuge

A private 14-acre island nine miles west of Key West that once hosted famous writers and Hollywood stars has officially become part of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. The move completes a conservation effort that lasted for decades. Known as Ballast Key, the remote tropical island was bought in the early 1970s by the … Read more

In 1976, Minnesota residents fought plans for landfills and development along their river valley; 50 years later, the refuge they helped create protects more than 15,000 acres

by
In 1976, Minnesota residents fought plans for landfills and development along their river valley; 50 years later, the refuge they helped create protects more than 15,000 acres

Conservation challenges remain part of the conversation and the anniversary panel will examine issues facing the Minnesota River Valley, including water quality, flooding and development along the river’s bluffs. Half a century ago, a stretch of Minnesota river country faced a very different future. Plans for landfills and development threatened the Minnesota River bottoms, prompting … Read more

After 9/11, Canada’s tiny town of Gander sheltered 7,000 Americans for days, providing food and refuge as 38 planes landed there following the attack

by
After 9/11, Canada’s tiny town of Gander sheltered 7,000 Americans for days, providing food and refuge as 38 planes landed there following the attack

Long before the trade tariffs, barriers and diplomatic tensions between the US and Canada, there was a time when thousands of Americans found unexpected refuge in a tiny Canadian town after 9/11. On September 11, 2001, residents of a small Canadian town thousands of miles from New York suddenly found themselves caring for thousands of … Read more

Celia Hunter flew a war-surplus plane to Alaska in 1947 and built a wilderness life near Denali; 54 years later, at 82, her final night was spent fighting to protect the Arctic Refuge

by
Celia Hunter flew a war-surplus plane to Alaska in 1947 and built a wilderness life near Denali; 54 years later, at 82, her final night was spent fighting to protect the Arctic Refuge

Celia Hunter flew a war-surplus plane to Alaska in 1947 and built a wilderness life near Denali Celia Hunter spent the final evening of her life writing urgent letters to US politicians, asking them to oppose oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It brought an end to a 54-year campaign to protect Alaska’s … Read more

A Texas family held this coastal ranch for generations; now 2,500 acres have become part of a 17,500-acre wildlife refuge

by
A Texas family held this coastal ranch for generations; now 2,500 acres have become part of a 17,500-acre wildlife refuge

For generations, the Ward family knew a stretch of the Texas coast as “Down Below,” a working ranch where cattle grazing, hunting and family traditions unfolded across prairie, wetlands and marshes. Now, 2,500 acres of that land have entered a very different chapter. The property has been permanently protected and added to the Justin Hurst … Read more

In 2015, a storm flooded and destroyed a Virginia wildlife refuge beach parking lot; now officials are moving it 2.5 miles north so dunes and saltmarsh can reclaim the old site

by
In 2015, a storm flooded and destroyed a Virginia wildlife refuge beach parking lot; now officials are moving it 2.5 miles north so dunes and saltmarsh can reclaim the old site

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (Image Credit: Canva) A severe storm in 2015 flooded and destroyed a recreational beach parking lot at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia, exposing the growing difficulty of maintaining visitor facilities on a shifting barrier island. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge is now relocating the recreational … Read more

In 1951, a New Jersey couple bought 185-acres of land as a summer retreat after which an injured owl turned their property into a wildlife refuge

by
In 1951, a New Jersey couple bought 185-acres of land as a summer retreat after which an injured owl turned their property into a wildlife refuge

Jim and Betty Woodford. Image Credit: Cedar Run Wildlife refuge In 1951, Jim and Betty Woodford bought 185 acres in what was then the largely undeveloped Medford Township, New Jersey, hoping to create a summer retreat. But the land became the foundation for a lifelong commitment to wildlife. According to the Cedar Run website, the … Read more