Amateur Radio operators will be on the air in observance of the 2010 National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 9-17. This event will coincide with festivals and special events at refuges that help connect people with nature at the country's more than 500 National Wildlife Refuges.

Combining Amateur Radio's communication capabilities with enjoyment of the outdoors to help others learn about the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) is the goal of the amateur stations participating in the nine-day event. Hams begin operating from a number of wildlife refuges this week under guidelines established in cooperation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Only those stations who have authorized, responsible access to refuges are sanctioned by this event.

For the first time, the US Senate has passed a resolution officially recognizing National Wildlife Refuge Week. The resolution “recognizes the importance of national wildlife refuges to wildlife conservation and the protection of imperiled species and ecosystems” and “reaffirms the support of the Senate for wildlife conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System.”

Visit the National Wildlife Refuge Week Ham Radio Web site (nwrweek-radio.info) for more information and a list of participating ham radio stations. -- NWR Press Release