National Wildlife Refuge System receives disaster relief funding

The recent natural disasters have not spared the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). From hurricanes like Helene and Milton to severe winter storms in California and Nevada, the NWRS has accrued hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to both built infrastructure and wildlife habitat in recent years. Thirty-seven separate disasters have impacted approximately 90 refuges in 2023 and 2024 alone.

In December 2024, TWS joined with the National Wildlife Refuge System and other organizations to urge leaders in Congress to address damages to the NWRS resulting from natural disasters by appropriating funds for end-of-year disaster relief. The request included $565.7 million for the NWRS to cover damages and an additional $289.9 million to invest in proactive management toward nature-based solutions (e.g. management of coastal marshes to create storm surge buffers during hurricanes).

The Continuing Resolution passed on Dec. 21, 2024, included supplemental disaster relief funding for a number of U.S. federal programs. Congress appropriated $500 million for the NWRS, falling just short of the request that TWS supported. Notably, Congress did not appropriate funds for resiliency efforts and nature-based solutions.

The NWRS will use the $500 million for activities including debris removal, habitat rehabilitation, invasive species management and repairs to facilities, roads and bridges. The NWRS will need continued support via congressional funding to address disaster impacts and other management necessities in the future.

For more on the costs of recent natural disasters across the NWRS, see this fact sheet.