Help protect the refuge wildlife and their habitats by making a contribution to the Back Bay NWR Society. Support our advocacy, outreach, and education for the betterment of the Refuge.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Society is the primary partner and Friends group of the the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Learn MoreGain new experiences and meet new people while helping to advance wildlife conservation. Preserve and protect habitat and wildlife.
Learn MoreThere are no dues required for Society membership. The Society depends on donations to fund programs and projects.
Learn MorePlease participate in the Old Dominion University Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge usage survey.
Your responses will contribute to improving the sustainable management of recreational opportunities at Back Bay NWR and similar natural areas. Your responses will be anonymous, and all data will be collected and stored without any personally identifiable information.
Refuge visitors upload photographs from their phones at four designated locations. Photographs contribute to scientific documentation of the refuge habitats. By automatically appearing in time-lapse videos that are available online.
LEARN MOREMonarch butterflies have suffered a drastic reduction in population in the last 30 years. Some estimates indicate a population decline of 90%. The most common reason cited for this dramatic decline is loss of habitat. Given the success of the pollinator garden and the fact that Back Bay is on the Monarch’s eastern migratory flyway, it was decided to put in a monarch specific garden at the Refuge.
Volunteers removed and pruned old vegetation, cultivated and amended soil, and filled beds with native plants supporting pollinators and wildlife Garden beds are maintained by volunteers throughout the year. Signage and visitor outreach is being planned
LEARN MOREThe 2.7 miles of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Trail System consists of seven, interconnected trails that provide opportunities to observe the wildlife and vegetation of the refuge’s seven distinct habitats- ocean, beach, marsh, shrubs, grassland, maritime forest and freshwater bay. Trail surfaces vary from boardwalk, crushed stone, sand and gravel.
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