Skip to main content

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements

Program Information

Popular name

Refuges and Wildlife

Program Number

15.654

Program objective

To provide technical and financial assistance to identify, conserve, manage, and enhance the natural, historical, and cultural resources and physical infrastructure of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS); deliver public access and high-quality outdoor recreational opportunities; build a volunteer cadre, and inspire the next generation of hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts through work on and off NWRS managed lands and waters. This program also encourages coordination and integration of efforts between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) programs and interested parties to accomplish successful prevention or management of invasive species. Projects must conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife and plants on and off NWRS managed lands for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Program expenditures, by FY (2023 - 2025)

This chart shows obligations for the program by fiscal year. All data for this chart was provided by the administering agency and sourced from SAM.gov, USASpending.gov, and Treasury.gov.

For more information on each of these data sources, please see the About the data page.

Additional program information

  1. 2017

    Estimated 200 awards Program issued 61 awards.

  2. 2018

    In FY18 the program issued 28 new awards.

  3. 2019

    In FY19 the program funded 54 projects.

  4. 2020

    In FY20 the program issued 58 awards.

  5. 2021

    In FY21 the program issued 98 awards.

  6. 2022

    Program received 79 applications and made 77 awards.

  7. 2023

    Program received 140 applications and issued 122 awards.

  8. 2024

    Program anticipates receiving 150 applications and issuing 130 awards.

  9. 2025

    Program anticipates receiving 160 applications and issuing 140 awards.

Single Audit Applies (2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F):

For additional information on single audit requirements for this program, review the current Compliance Supplement.

OMB is working with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and agency offices of inspectors general to include links to relevant oversight reports. This section will be updated once this information is made available.

Cooperative agreements/project grants are administered in conformance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Administrative Service Manual and 2 CFR 200.

  1. Fish and Wildlife Act—Community partnership enhancement; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act—Cooperation of agencies; Fish and Wildlife Act—Refuge education program enhancement; National Wildlife Refuge System Admin Act—Administration. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 —Administrative Provisions (Pub. L. 118-42 [H.R. 4366-199]); Inflation Reduction Act - Weather Events (Pub. L. 117-169 [H.R. 5376], §60302, 136 STAT. 2079).