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National Wildlife Refuge Week October 13-19, 1997 This week, the United States is celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week (NWRW). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service originally dedicated NWRW in 1995 in order to raise awareness of the importance of refuges for wildlife. NWRW is celebrated the second week October to coincide with autumn's southward migration. Wildlife refuges throughout North America are hosting fun and informative public events to raise appreciation of the importance of these special places for wildlife. This fall, our "Journey South" tour of the national wildlife refuge system is visiting refuges where some of the most magnificent migrations are moving through. National Wildlife Refuges--as well as national, provincial, state, and county parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and many other natural areas--play an important role in ensuring safe passage of migratory species. What better time than NWRW to consider the potential of your school grounds as a refuge for migratory and local wildlife? Create Your Own Refuge for Wildlife Unpave the Way for Wildlife! As of October 10, 1997, the sites shown on this map had been established and registered with Journey North. We hope you'll join in the effort by creating a habitat site where you live. (Click on face of map to enlarge.) Take a naturalist "field trip" of your school grounds, equipped with notebooks and pencils. While on the field trip, think about whether or not the school's property provides adequate habitat for wildlife. Are sources of water, food, and shelter in good supply on the school grounds? Once back in the classroom, discuss ways in which your school grounds does provide adequate habitat for wildlife. If you think it already qualifies, (sources of water, food, and shelter are available), make sure to register your school in the Unpave the Way for Wildlife project. If you think it does not yet qualify, brainstorm with students things that could be done to improve your school grounds for wildlife. For helpful ideas, review the many resources available on the WWW. Then choose to implement one idea from your list so that you can join with the many other Journey North schools in Unpaving the Way for Wildlife throughout North America.