About Us

The Friends of Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and Patuxent Research Refuge, Inc., is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization, and was formed in 1992 to support the mission and programs of the Patuxent Research Refuge and the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland. Friends of Patuxent raise funds for educa­tional programs, exhibits, and re­search. The focus of the research includes contaminants, migratory birds and studies of endangered species.

Friends of Patuxent operate the "Wildlife Images" bookstore and seasonal fundraisers at the National Wildlife Visitor Center as a means of generating funds. Profits from sales at "Wildlife Images" and fundraisers enhance the mission and programs at Patuxent Research Refuge

Located in the Wash­ington-Baltimore corridor, the Patuxent Research Refuge was dedicated in 1939 as America's first refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System devoted to research.

The Refuge's mission is "to help protect and con­serve the Nation's wildlife and habitat through research on criti­cal environmental problems and is­sues."

The 12,750-acre refuge is home to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Cen­ter. The Research Center has been a leading international institute for wildlife and applied environmental research needed to better manage the Nation's natural resources.

Extensive forest, meadow and wet­land habitats on the refuge are managed for biological diversity for the protection and benefit of na­tive and migratory species, and to provide a unique outdoor labo­ratory for wildlife management-re­lated research.