Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Society is the primary partner and Friends group of the the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The Society was formed in 2020 as an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System. Our purpose is to promote and support the BBNWR in its mission to conserve, protect and enhance natural resources through projects, advocacy, outreach, education, fundraising, diverse membership and volunteerism for the betterment of the Refuge.
Back Bay refuge was established in 1938 to protect and provide habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl. Diverse habitats, including beachfront, freshwater marsh, dunes, shrub-scrub and upland forest are home to hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish.
The Friends of Back Bay was instrumental in gaining approval for the expansion and obtaining $24 million of funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to purchase land from willing sellers within the acquisition boundary. The expansion provided a buffer against development, thus reducing erosion and runoff of fertilizers and chemicals that pollute Back Bay. As a result water quality has improved, there has been a marked increase in the amount of submerged aquatic vegetation and the numbers of ducks, geese and other water birds have increased.
Back Bay NWR Society
Board of Directors
Chris Freeman – President
Barry Erdeljon – Vice-President
Barry Kurzer – Treasurer
Chris Elam – Secretary
Charlie Ellin
Reese F. Lukei, Jr.
Dianna McDowell
Catherine Miller
Michael T. Moore, CNMP
Logan Stanton – Chairman
Youth Advisory Committee
2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
MISSION
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Society is the primary partner and Friends group of the the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The Society was formed in 2020 as an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System. Our purpose is to promote and support the BBNWR in its mission to conserve, protect and enhance natural resources through projects, advocacy, outreach, education, fundraising, diverse membership and volunteerism for the betterment of the Refuge.
Back Bay refuge was established in 1938 to protect and provide habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl. Diverse habitats, including beachfront, freshwater marsh, dunes, shrub-scrub and upland forest are home to hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish.
The Friends of Back Bay was instrumental in gaining approval for the expansion and obtaining $24 million of funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to purchase land from willing sellers within the acquisition boundary. The expansion provided a buffer against development, thus reducing erosion and runoff of fertilizers and chemicals that pollute Back Bay. As a result water quality has improved, there has been a marked increase in the amount of submerged aquatic vegetation and the numbers of ducks, geese and other water birds have increased.
Back Bay NWR Society
Board of Directors
Chris Freeman – President
Barry Erdeljon – Vice-President
Barry Kurzer – Treasurer
Chris Elam – Secretary
Charlie Ellin
Reese F. Lukei, Jr.
Dianna McDowell
Catherine Miller
Michael T. Moore, CNMP
Logan Stanton – Chairman
Youth Advisory Committee
2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report