📷 Marine debris, largely composed of plastic, washes up on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge’s south shore, within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument | Eric Dale/USFWS

From majestic mountains to coastlines, the National Wildlife Refuge System protects vast ecosystems across our nation, both on land and sea. Yet, a threat disrupts the delicate balance in these sanctuaries: plastic pollution. This year’s Earth Day theme, Planet vs. Plastic, underscores the global struggle against this pervasive environmental contaminant.

Marine debris, largely plastic, washed up on the south shore of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge | Eric Dale/USFWS

Millions of tons of plastic enter our environment each year, impacting national wildlife refuges across the country. Marine national monuments, such as Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hawaii and the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, which are protected by the Refuge System, face a unique challenge. Plastic debris has even been documented at the deepest parts of this underwater realm, highlighting the far-reaching scope of plastic pollution. These vast stretches of open ocean collect debris, endangering the incredible creatures that call these underwater landscapes home. However, plastic pollution is a problem for all national wildlife refuges, from freshwater lakes and rivers to coastal beaches and even urban wetlands.

Impact of Plastic Pollution on Wildlife & Their Habitat Across the Refuge System

Plastic bursts from an albatross carcass as it decomposes. This particular bird had 558 pieces of plastic in its stomach when it died, which was likely the cause | Eric Dale/USFWS

Ingestion: Birds and mammals mistake plastic for food, leading to blockages, starvation, and even death. Microplastics, tiny fragments invisible to the naked eye, can also be ingested by fish and shellfish, entering the food chain and potentially impacting human health. This process is known as bioaccumulation, where toxins from plastic concentrate as they move up the food chain, posing a threat to wildlife and human health.

Entanglement: Animals become trapped in plastic bags, fishing gear, balloon strings, and other debris, restricting movement, hindering feeding, and causing drowning. Entangled birds can lose the ability to fly, and aquatic creatures can suffer from restricted growth and impaired mobility.

Habitat Degradation: Plastic debris accumulates in waterways and along shorelines, marring the natural health of refuges. It can also disrupt ecosystems by altering water quality and smothering vegetation.

Chemical Leaching: Many plastics contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the environment over time. These chemicals can disrupt hormones, impair reproduction, and weaken immune systems in wildlife.

Disease Transmission: Plastic debris can act as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and pathogens, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks among wildlife populations in refuges.

Aesthetics of the Wild: Plastic litter mars the pristine beauty of our national wildlife refuges. These sanctuaries are meant to be places where we can experience the wonder of nature, and plastic pollution detracts from that experience. No one wants to see a majestic mountain vista marred by a discarded plastic bottle or a pristine beach littered with plastic debris.

At Midway Atoll NWR, home to the world’s largest albatross colony, thousands of pounds of marine debris collect on the shores every year | Holly Richards/USFWS

Protecting Wildlife Refuges from Plastic Pollution: The National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Efforts

Advocating for Refuge System Funding: Increased funding allows the Refuge System to dedicate resources towards clean-up efforts, monitoring plastic pollution levels, and developing mitigation strategies.

Engaging in Policy Advocacy Efforts: Strong policies are needed to reduce plastic use at its source, promote responsible waste management practices, and strengthen enforcement of existing regulations to prevent plastic pollution from entering our waterways and oceans. We are also exploring opportunities to work with policymakers and advocate for funding programs that support clean-up efforts and research initiatives focused on mitigating plastic pollution in national wildlife refuges.

Promoting Responsible Practices: We encourage visitors of national wildlife refuges to follow Leave No Trace principles, properly dispose of waste, and participate in citizen science initiatives that clean up and track plastic debris.

Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal entangled in plastic pollution in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument | NOAA

What You Can Do to Help:

Reduce Your Plastic Footprint: Simple changes like carrying reusable bags, water bottles, straws, and coffee cups can significantly reduce plastic waste.

Support Our Work: Your donation to the National Wildlife Refuge Association this Earth Day helps us advocate for cleaner environments and healthier national wildlife refuges for wildlife.

Spread Awareness: Talk to your friends and family about the dangers of plastic pollution and encourage responsible waste management practices.

Get Involved in Citizen Science: Participate in clean-up initiatives at your local national wildlife refuge or volunteer with organizations monitoring plastic debris in different ecosystems.

Each year the USFWS, the State of Hawaii, and NOAA staff and volunteers collect tons of marine debris from the atolls and throughout Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument | NOAA

The National Wildlife Refuge Association wishes you a happy Earth Day and encourages you to donate to support our work to help end plastic pollution on national wildlife refuges. Your contribution will help us continue to advocate for cleaner environments, protect wildlife, and inspire the next generation of conservationists. By working together, we can create a future where our national wildlife refuges, both on land and water, are free from plastic pollution.