From our blogs

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services employees returned to work on October 17, 2013 after a statement from Sylvia Burwell, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, officially signaling the end of the United States federal government shutdown.

Now that the bill has passed the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, the President plans to sign it tonight and employees should expect to return to work in the morning. Employees should be checking the news and OPM's website for further updates.

Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Department of Interior, greeted returning employees in person.

Managers at National Wildlife Refuges across the nation spread the word on social media.

So glad to be back! Your national wildlife refuges are open again and eager to serve you. Some previously scheduled special events may have been postponed or cancelled by the shutdown. Call or check ahead: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/ -- USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cancels Refuge Week events at National Wildlife Refuges due to Federal Government lapse in appropriations

Because of the lapse in appropriations that has caused the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced that all Refuge Week events at national wildlife refuges across the country are cancelled because the Service cannot meet the logistical requirements to support them. Refuge Week occurs annually from October 13 - 19.

Facilities and operations on refuges across the country remain shuttered as a result of the lapse in funding for the fiscal year that began October 1. The current lack of funding affects all activities on national wildlife refuges, including wildlife - related recreation , such as hunting, fishing , wildlife watching, hiking, boating, and conservation education.

Additional updates during the shut down will be available at www.doi.gov/shutdown.

Following the US federal government shutdown, the Annual Sale of Native Plants has been canceled.

The original event planning is outlined below. Please note that this event is now canceled.

Come celebrate the National Wildlife Refuge Week October 13 through19 at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The annual sale of native plants is at 2 Marshlands Rd Fremont, CA 94555 on Sunday, October 13, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Help save water use by landscaping your yard with California native plants and attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your neighborhood. Sale will be held at the Visitor Center located at the first parking lot to your right. For more information, call Carmen Minch at 510-792-0222 ext. 476.

All National Wildlife Refuges closed effective October 1, 2013 due to United States federal government shutdown.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• 561 national wildlife refuges, 38 wetland management districts, 150 million acres.
• Refuges on average return over $4 for every $1 to run them.
• There is a refuge within an hour’s drive of every major city.
• All refuge staff are furloughed except Refuge Managers and Federal Wildlife Officers for public safety and protecting property.
• 42,000 Friends and volunteers that contribute more than 1.4 million hours annually, the equivalent of 700 staff performing 20% of work in the Refuge System, cannot volunteer during the shutdown.
• The shutdown comes on top of years of deep budget cuts to Refuges and if the sequester cuts continue, refuges will lose 500 positions and experience a nearly 30% cut.