A bison roams the golden grasses at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado, one of our largest urban wildlife refuges. Only about 20 minutes from the Denver airport, take the 11-mile Wildlife Drive and keep your eyes peeled for bison, mule and white-tailed deer, hawks and waterfowl. Near the visitor center, you can learn more about the refuge’s population of endangered black-footed ferrets and the current conservation work. Whether you’re passing through Colorado or you call this place home, the refuge is yours to explore. Photo by Ian Shive, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

There’s just something special about this Colorado sunset. A herd of bison moves across the grassy plain as the setting sun bathes the valley at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The magnificent Rocky Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to the last bit of light of the day. Open sunrise to sunset, walk the refuge’s 10 miles of trails or take the 11-mile Wildlife Drive in your vehicle to see bison, deer, hawks, waterfowl and more. Photo courtesy of Bob Gjestvang.

Just because you live in a city doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors. Urban wildlife refuges provide an easy escape to nature for millions of Americans every year. Within view of Denver’s skyscrapers, visitors to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge can see bison, bald eagles, snow geese and sunsets. It’s just one of many resources for city dwellers. Find more: www.fws.gov/urban/wildlifeRefuges.php Sunset photo by Dave Showalter, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Happy National Bison Day! 

We’re celebrating our national mammal with this pic of a bison and its baby at Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Public lands managed by Interior support 17 bison herds – or approximately 10,000 bison – in 12 states, including Alaska. 

Check out more interesting facts about bison:  http://on.doi.gov/1Oc7VXg 

Photo courtesy of Rich Keen, DPRA.

Located just northeast of Denver, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is a 15,000-acre expanse of prairie, wetland and woodland habitat. The land has a unique story – it has survived the test of time and transitioned from farmland to war-time manufacturing site to wildlife sanctuary today. It may be one of the finest conservation success stories in history and a place where wildlife thrives. Photo by Jennifer Howell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Cute alert! A baby mule deer tries catching a snowflake on its tongue at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado. Mule deer are named for their oversized ears that resemble a mule’s ears. Compared to its cousin, the white-tailed deer, mule deer are larger in size, and have a black-tipped white tail and white patch on the rump. Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Say hello to our new national mammal! Today the American bison officially joined the ranks of the Bald Eagle as the official symbol of the U.S. when President Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act into law. And much like the eagle, the bison is one of the greatest conservation success stories of all time. 

Explore 15 fun facts about bison – like did you know you can tell a bison’s mood by its tail: http://on.doi.gov/1Oc7VXg

Photo of a baby bison and its momma at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado by Rich Keen, DPRA.

It’s Thanksgiving week and for many of us, that means spending time with our family. Sometimes you’re happy, sometimes it’s awkward. If you’re ever deep in a food coma and your family starts to show the personalities of a group of burrowing owls, it’s time to #OptOutside. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is just outside of Denver, Colorado, and is a great excuse to get out of the house and enjoy someone else’s family drama. Photo by Rich Keen, DPRA.

Check out more amazing public lands near major cities: http://on.doi.gov/1MNd9Cv.

It’s National Bison Day! Here’s a great photo of bison and its calf sharing a tender moment at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado. Photo by Rich Keen, DPRA.

The first baby bison of the year have arrived at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado. Last week four bison calves were born on the refuge. Here’s some cute pics of one of them with its mother. Photos by Tom Wall, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.