In October, DU staff and volunteers joined Senator Chris Coons of Delaware at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week. Senator Coons introduced a resolution celebrating the refuge system and recognizing refuge week, which was unanimously adopted by the U.S. Senate. 
 
"Our refuges are national treasures that provide critical habitat for migratory waterfowl and countless other wildlife while giving sportsmen the opportunity to hunt and fish," said DU Governmental Affairs Representative Bernie Marczyk at the celebration. "Senator Coons is a conservation leader in the U.S. Senate and should be praised for his recognition of our refuge system."
 
Marczyk, DU Regional Director Tony Senn, Delaware State Chairman Clif Bakhsh, and Charlie Blaisdell represented DU at this event. Bakhsh took the opportunity to present Senator Coons with a DU hat and Delaware DU pin. Senator Coons has consistently attended DU events in the First State.

Established in 1937, Bombay Hook refuge now hosts more than 100,000 outdoor enthusiasts each year and is an important migration and wintering area for large numbers of ducks, geese, and swans. The refuge's extensive mudflats support 80 percent of the Atlantic Flyway's black ducks, and are a critical migration stop for endangered red knots. Additionally, the refuge contains many managed freshwater impoundments that provide key habitat for a variety of waterfowl and other migratory birds. 
 
Working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners, DU has conserved more than 1,100 acres of waterfowl habitat on the refuge via shoreline stabilization, wetland restoration, and invasive species control. DU will continue to work with refuge staff and other partners to develop future habitat restoration opportunities on Bombay Hook.