The Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 to protect fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. They find rest and nourishment during migration and a haven in winter. U.S. Fish & Wildlife staff manage refuge lands and waters with species whose populations have declined, assisting them on the road to recovery. Rappahannock River Valley is part of the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The complex comprises four refuges: