The mission of these refuges and the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. These refuges are representative of the rich and varied habitat and wildlife resources of the coastal region of the state. They are part of a network of over 540 refuges throughout the country that are administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS).