Nebraska Backcountry Hunters & Anglers hosted a public lands stewardship event at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in Cherry County on March 28^th 2026. Volunteers removed old fence that was identified by refuge staff as negatively affecting deer, pronghorn, waterfowl, and grouse habitat. One mile of barbed wire and one mile of electric fence was removed! BHA volunteers came from far and wide including individuals with additional affiliations from Nebraska BHA, Iowa BHA, Pheasants Forever, Delta Waterfowl, the Sandhills Prairie Refuge Association, and ,obviously, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 71,516-acre Valentine NWR is located in the Sandhills formation of north-central Nebraska. Native grass prairie and abundant wetlands found there support a diversity of wildlife including 270 species of birds, 59 species of mammals, and 22 species of reptiles and amphibians! Valentine Refuge was established by Congress in 1935 “as a breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.” This beautiful Nebraska treasure is open to the public and visitors have access to various activities including hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing!