Finding refuge in nature, today and tomorrow
America’s wildlife refuges were established with wildlife in mind, but it would appear that a new wave of creatures is discovering refuges for the first time.
Birdwatchers, walkers, nature lovers, respite-seekers — all members of the species Homo sapiens — have been flocking to wildlife refuges in the Northeast during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re seeing two to three times as many visitors as we might typically have this time of year,” said Mike Horne, refuge manager at Lenape National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which covers three states (New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania). “For many, this is the first time they’ve visited a national wildlife refuge.”
This increase is certainly due in part to the fact that many refuges have stayed open to the public when other parks and recreation facilities were shut down. The Fish and Wildlife Service has encouraged refuges to keep areas open for public access wherever possible in order to provide healthy outdoor recreation opportunities for people, as long as conditions are safe. The health and safety of visitors, employees and volunteers is the top priority, and all refuge visitors are requested to follow social distancing and other CDC-recommended public health safety practices.
“We’re trying to maintain public access whenever and wherever possible because we understand that outdoor recreation is an imperative need at this time,” said Horne.
One of the units under Horne’s management is Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), located just 26 miles from New York City in Morris County, New Jersey. Like many wildlife refuges across the nation right now, the visitor center at Great Swamp is closed to ensure public health and safety, but most of the refuge’s trails remain open to the public following proper social distancing guidelines. (Find an updated list of refuge closures here.)
Horne and his staff are working diligently to protect refuge infrastructure and ensure the safety of staff and visitors alike. So far, there have been some minor violations, but for the most part “people are following the rules and doing great,” said Horne.
At Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses 22 units in four states (Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire), refuge manager Andy French also has seen a significant jump in visitation — up nearly 3,000 visitors compared to March-April numbers in 2019. He said many of the visitors are experiencing the refuge for the first time.
The Conte refuge is the only refuge of its kind to encompass an entire watershed, the Connecticut River watershed. It is also unique in that it is part of a 1.8 million acre public and private conservation area. This public-private partnership is a critical component of its success in a watershed that spans some 7.2 million acres — and something French thinks could be an effective model for future conservation work. The refuge is strategically connected in a way to increase the resilience of the refuge and the larger conservation mosaic to sustainably accommodate wildlife and their habitat, along with outdoor experiences for people.
French said the value of conservation lands have become significantly more important to people during the pandemic. “This was evident in the increase in visitation this spring and the comments of people who said how thankful they were to have places where they could experience the sights, sounds and smells of the season,” he said.
While practicing social distancing can be a challenge at some refuges — particularly those in urban settings and refuges that are already popular destinations with the public — increased visitation is providing opportunities to connect first-time visitors with nature and help spread the word about the value of refuges for people and wildlife.
“In the future, we know there will be more people who need and seek nature and open space for recreation, connection and to restore their sense of health and well-being,” French said. ”As the population grows, it is my hope that public and private entities will also continue to support and invest in conservation in a manner that is robust enough to provide healthy habitats for wildlife and quality experiences for people who are drawn to these treasured outdoor places.”
Nature — More than a pandemic trend?
The fact that more people are getting outside wherever and however they can right now might not be so surprising — nature has always been a source of comfort and joy for people, and recent studies show that spending time outside is good for our health and well-being.
But is spending more time in nature just another pandemic trend, like making sourdough bread or starting a garden? Can the lessons of this experience help us create a more positive future for conservation and people?
Sometimes in life, the most resilient bonds are forged during times of stress and it is these common experiences that form the foundation of more opportunities for shared experiences. For Horne and French, it’s all about how to sustain and nurture these encounters with new visitors into lifelong relationships with wildlife and the outdoors.
“This has been an incredible opportunity to help educate visitors and connect them with nature,” said Horne.
National wildlife refuges have been around for more than 100 years. But unlike their more famous older siblings — national parks — wildlife refuges have flown under the radar when it comes to outdoor recreation. America’s 560 wildlife refuge units receive some 60 million visitors a year, compared to the more than 300 million visitors to national parks.
Yet wildlife refuges offer a huge variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, paddling, birding, hunting, fishing and more. And wildlife refuges are in every state and territory — nature-seekers can find a refuge within an hour’s drive of most major U.S. cities. Refuges also offer visitors a unique opportunity to better understand the natural world around them.
For instance, a visitor to Great Swamp might learn about the rare species that live on the refuge, such as the threatened bog turtle or the blue spotted salamander — something visitors to a local park might not learn. Discovering that special species like these live within driving distance can change a person’s outlook on nature.
Managing the needs of wildlife while supporting the needs of people is not always easy. For example, during shorebird nesting season, some stretches of beach along East Coast refuges are closed or roped off to protect bird nesting areas. But even these situations provide better education and awareness of how people and wildlife can live — and thrive — together.
A “silver linings playbook”
At Silvio O. Conte refuge, French sees a big opportunity in engaging more visitors and raising awareness about the value of having protected lands and waters that benefit wildlife and people.
“We have an opportunity now for public and private entities to better prepare for tomorrow,” French said. “Future generations will benefit — on so many levels — if we can increase the availability and variety of open spaces for outdoor activities, for wildlife and for the health of our shared environment.”
Horne agrees.
“This is really a chance to engage new visitors — following social distancing guidelines — and enlist their support for conservation,” said Horne. “People are hungry for nature right now, and this discovery of wildlife refuges could be a silver lining during this time in history.”
