Senate names October 12-18, 2025, as Wildlife Refuge Week.

What it does

The Senate passed a measure to honor Wildlife Refuge Week. The week runs from October 12 to 18, 2025. It recognizes 573 wildlife refuges across the U.S. These refuges protect over 850 million acres of land. The measure honors the work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Who it affects

This measure affects people who visit wildlife refuges. About 71 million people visit these refuges each year. The refuges bring in $3.2 billion for local areas.

Where it stands

14 cosponsors: 12 Democrats, 2 Republicans.

• Oct 9, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in Senate”
• Oct 9, 2025 — Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary · Congress.gov: “Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S7098-7099)”
• Oct 15, 2025 — Reported out of committee · Congress.gov: “Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent”
• Oct 15, 2025 — Passed the Senate · Congress.gov: “Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous…”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Words to know

• wildlife refuges — Protected areas of land where wild animals and plants are kept safe.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — The government agency that manages and protects wildlife and their homes.