wildlife managers place especial emphasis on de- 

 veloping good nesting and feeding habitat by manip- 

 ulating the water levels in impounded areas. On 

 refuges managed primarily for great numbers of 

 transient waterfowl and shorebirds, producing suffi- 

 cient food and maintaining a suitable marsh habitat 

 to provide attractive resting areas for the birds on 

 their long migrations are important. On wintering 

 grounds, management practices center about pro- 

 tection so that the birds can return to their northern 

 breeding grounds in the following spring. 



Other refuges are designed to protect endangered 

 species and the special habitat they require for 

 survival. A number of refuges protect animals that 

 could not survive without this assistance. At present, 

 additional lands are needed to safeguard such species 

 as the whooping crane, California condor, Everglade 

 kite, prairie chicken, and many other rare or vanish- 

 ing species. 



In the broadest sense, the wildlife refuges make 

 their greatest contribution to Americans in the 

 recreational opportunities they afford. Because of 

 them, millions of hunters are assured the continu- 

 ance of their favorite sport of wildfowling. They 

 offer more tangible contributions to America's rec- 

 reation by providing opportunities for boating, fish- 

 ing, swimming, and observing and photographing 

 wildlife in its natural habitat. In 1959 nearly 10 

 million people visited the national wildlife refuges. 

 This recreational use has increased steadily since 

 1951 when 2>\ million persons were on the various 

 areas. 



As you travel over the country, watch for the 

 flying goose signs- -they identify the national wildlife 

 refuges. Depending on the time of year, a visit to a 

 wildlife refuge can be a rewarding experience. In fall, 

 the southern migration along the Pacific Flyway is 

 spectacular. Peaks of several million ducks and 

 geese may be seen on the refuges in the Klamath 

 Basin of Oregon and northern California and on the 

 Sacramento Refuge farther south. In late August and 

 September migrant birds concentrate in great num- 

 bers on the Bear River Refuge in Utah. The spring 

 migrations of blue and snow geese in the Central 

 and Mississippi Flyways arouse great public interest. 

 Along the Atlantic coast, refuges often have large 



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