The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, established in 1997, spans the 7.2 million-acre Connecticut River watershed across Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Rather than a single preserve, it is a network of units protecting a wide range of habitats, from northern forests for nesting migrant birds to rivers, streams, and marshes that support migratory fish and endangered species. Its tracts range from large divisions such as Nulhegan Basin and Pondicherry to small, specialized habitats like Deadman’s Swamp and Putney Mountain. Named for Silvio O. Conte, it also relies on partnerships, education, and visitor centers to advance watershed-wide conservation.