Washington, DC, February 27, 2003 – The National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) was honored Monday by the Invasive Weeds Awareness Coalition (IWAC) for its “exceptional educational efforts and cooperative support in the battle against invasive species in the United States.” The award was given at an awards reception held at the Smithsonian Institution commemorating the launch of National Invasive Weeds Awareness Week (NIWAW).

In the past year, NWRA has committed itself to increasing the public’s understanding of the harmful impacts of invasive species to the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System. In October 2002, the organization launched a national media and grassroots campaign with the release of Silent Invasion, a report that details threats to a large majority of the 540 refuges across the country. Invasive species are now the #1 threat to refuges as reported by refuge managers, and have degraded an estimated eight million acres within the System. Silent Invasion urges Congress and the Administration to provide $150 million over the next five years to train and mobilize 5,000 volunteers; deploy 50 rapid response strike teams; and implement the strategic management plan of the National Invasive Species Council.

The National Wildlife Refuge Association is the only organization working exclusively to protect, enhance and expand the National Wildlife Refuge System, lands and waters set aside by the American public to protect our country’s diverse wildlife heritage. Established in 1975, the NWRA provides a national voice for refuge staff and volunteers and for the wildlife that depend on refuges for their survival. For more information on the NWRA or its efforts to stop the spread of invasives on refuges, visit: www.refugenet.org.