The National Wildlife Refuge System is the worlds largest and most diverse collection of lands and waters specifically set aside for the conservation and management of wildlife resources. Units of the system stretch across the United States from northern Alaska to the Florida Keys, and include small islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific. The character of the refuges is as diverse as the nation itself. The system preserves habitat for over 700 avian species, 220 mammalian species, 250 reptilian and amphibian species, anadromous fish and much, much more. The National Wildlife Refuge System protects more than 92 million acres of land and water from Alaska to the Florida Keys and from the South Pacific to Maine, preserving critical habitat for 170 federally listed threatened or endangered species and other wildlife.
    There are more than 550 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, each providing a unique habitat needed to protect plants and animals, and providing outdoor recreational opportunities for people. Management tools include exotic plant control, barrier beach management, avian diversity control, farming, and water level manipulation. Management can be as simple as providing bird boxes, which replace homes for species whose natural habitat has been destroyed or lost, or as involved as carefully timed draw-downs of refuge pools.
    Visitors at most refuges may observe and photograph wildlife, fish, hunt, cross-country ski, canoe, kayak and motor boat, and hike numerous trails. Some refuges offer the opportunity to swim, snorkel, scuba, camp, or ride horse trails, and many refuges allow pets on a leash. However, activities and regulations vary at each individual refuge, and must be verified. Refuges may be closed to the public periodically or permanently to protect the wildlife from human contact and intervention, or to protect the public from natural or man-made dangers that may be present on site.

WILDERNESS AREAS   The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System. As defined by Congress, this is untrammeled, undeveloped, and natural, and offers outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation.

ECOTOURISM   This book serves to promote the global policies of ecotourism. Ecotourism may be defined as travel to natural or cultural sites which informs the visitor, conserves the site, and benefits the local economy.

About The Author:
The author has brought together his skills as a career graphic artist, photographer, and publications designer to produce comprehensive and useful travel and recreation guides with technical prowess. The author's passion and creative insight in discovering and experiencing nature, the environment, national and regional parks, and wildlife from the active reader's perspective should encourage enthusiasm and anticipation in the reader through his writing.
   Our natural and scenic wonders are to be "discovered and experienced by everyone", and his "what to see and what to do" writing style and format is born from the thirst to experience and discover the world around him.
   Over the years, Mark has operated as a patent draftsman, and contracted as a technical illustrator and book and magazine designer for the National Academy of Sciences. In 2003 Mark authored and published this first book, "Discovering the C&O Canal", the definitive resource and activities guide for one of our country's beloved National Historical Parks, located in Washington, D.C. and Maryland.

About the Books . . .
This book set is about exploring the natural habitats, the wildlife, and the many recreational activities available at our National Wildlife Refuges. The opportunity for adventure and discovery is everywhere; this guide will help you experience the National Wildlife Refuge System in new and different ways. These Wildlife Refuges are National Parks on a small scale, to be enjoyed and utilized by the public when that use does not adversely impact the sensitive native wildlife.
    The information and content provided in this book has been accumulated from dozens of sources, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that administers the National Wildlife Refuge System. Specific information provided within this book is given as general reference only and may change at any time. Other general and specific information has been compiled from hundreds of different sources, and is presumed to be accurate. Wherever practical, information has been corroborated. This book serves to promote the global policies of ecotourism, which informs the visitor, conserves the site, and benefits the local economy.
 This recreation guide contains a brief overview of each of over 550 national wildlife refuges with information on visitor center, boardwalks, accessibility, trails, and regulations for fishing, hunting, boating, and camping, and driving directions.
   This field guide provides a brief synopsis of wildlife and habitat for each of over 550 National Wildlife Refuges, with information on primary wildlife, general wildlife observation, and endangered species that are present on the refuge.
 The photos are a spectacular portrayal of the National Wildlife Refuge System in vivid BImages of wildlife, habitat, and environment. Fifty-two full-page color photographs are in the book, representing a wildlife refuge in each of the fifty states, as well as the Pacific and Caribbean Possessions. The photos and subject matter were chosen to showcase a major feature of each states refuge wildlife or habitat, or to profile a species or federally listed endangered species found at one or more refuges within the state.
  The cost of the book is $24.95 US. It is available from the publisher by immediate download, or by direct mail on CD or Flash Drive in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word format (with additional shipping and handling charges).