Hoyer Tours Patuxent Research Refuge

LAUREL, MD –Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) today toured Patuxent Research Refuge, the nation's only national wildlife refuge established to support wildlife research. Patuxent Research Refuge was established in 1936 by executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and supports a wide diversity of wildlife in forest, meadow and wetland habitats.

"I have been a strong supporter of the National Wildlife Refuge System and I was pleased to visit Patuxent Research Refuge today to tour research buildings undergoing renovations and to meet with a college student who recently participated in the Youth Conservation Corps summer employment program at the Refuge," said Congressman Steny Hoyer. "Patuxent Research Refuge is our country's leading wildlife research facility that conducts critical wildlife and natural science research, in addition to hosting thousands of visitors each year to enjoy scenic hiking trails in Maryland. I look forward to continuing to work with the Refuge to ensure that they can carry out their important mission."

"We were grateful for the opportunity to share with Congressman Hoyer some of the successes and challenges we face at Patuxent Research Refuge," said Brad Knudsen, Refuge Manager at Patuxent Research Refuge. "We have taken steps to further engage youth and families in outdoor activities at the Refuge, but also are promoting ways to enjoy and take care of nature in their own backyards through our Urban Wildlife Refuge Program. We also continue to manage the facilities at the Refuge and have invested $25 million to renovate and reuse existing infrastructure at the Refuge."

Patuxent Research Refuge has grown from 2,670 acres to its current size of 12,800 acres. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and most of the research is conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.