Please add contact@ridgefieldfriends.org to your address book or safe senders list. You are receiving this email because you are either a member or signed up for our mailing list.  Image credit: Oca Hoeflein, 2018, 2nd Place, Landscape Category, Pro Photo Supply Refuge Photo Contest The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge The latest updates & news | June 2026 The Ridgefield NWR Admin Office is open weekdays, as staff availability allows: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Office phone number: 360-887-4106 Learn More: Official Refuge Website  From the FriendsAnnual Membership & Volunteer Appreciation Celebration  Saturday, May 30, we gathered at the new Community Nature Center for our annual Member and Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. It was a fantastic afternoon highlighting a busy year of Commemorative Brick sales, upcoming Nature Exploration Area updates, and exciting partnerships—including welcoming Mayor Matt Cole to our upcoming Board Meetings and exploring future wellness events with the Ridgefield Dragon Boats! Click the image to view the Flipbook of our 2025 Annual Report We were also thrilled to honor Roger Windemuth with the 2026 Spirit of the Wild Award for his exceptional behind-the-scenes dedication to our Bird Sightings website pages. Plus, our live member votes are officially in: the Red-winged Blackbird has been chosen as our 2026 BirdFest & Bluegrass Bird of the Year! Thank you to all of our members, volunteers, and supporters who keep the Refuge thriving. Volunteer with the Friends!The Friends still need your help! We have a couple of events coming up in June, and not enough people to go around! We are looking for folks to lead or assist with hikes and tabling during Big Paddle on June 6, down at the Ridgefield Waterfront and in downtown Ridgefield, and help with tabling at the Pollinator Festival, in downtown Vancouver, on June 20. We are looking for those willing to put on their metaphorical Friends volunteer hat and help us spread the word about memberships, sponsorships, business perks, and all the work that the Friends are doing in the new Community Nature Center! Hike Leaders do not need to have as much knowledge about the Friends, folks who have special hike topics they can share are welcome too! Pro Photo Supply Ridgefield NWR Updated & Fledgling Photo ContestsShare your favorite Ridgefield Refuge photos in various categories for a chance to win prizes from Pro Photo Supply and Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. The Youth portion has changed to High School! Check out our Fledgling Contest for submissions for grades 4-8. Submissions Due August 3.  Note: These starting and ending dates are earlier than we usually do this contest. This way, we will have more time to prepare to celebrate the winners at BirdFest & Bluegrass. Winners of both contests will be able to view their photo prints at BirdFest & Bluegrass, Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Community Nature Center! Free Workshop Series! These events are provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in collaboration with the Friends of Ridgefield NWR. Space is limited, so be sure to click the button or visit the website to sign up today! FREE Community Workshop at the Carty Unit! Making Buildings Bird Safe BirdFest & BluegrassOctober 3, 2026SponsorshipsSponsor BirdFest & Bluegrass — our annual community festival celebrating the Refuge, wildlife, and Ridgefield. Sponsorship levels range from $250–$10,000, including venue sponsorship options. Would your business be open to supporting this year?  Partner PartyThe BirdFest & Bluegrass Partner Party on October 3, 2026, brings together our support community and Refuge visitors. We invite nonprofits and community partners to join us for an educational, non-retail celebration of local wildlife, habitat conservation, and the groups helping protect the Refuge. Your registration focuses on connecting with fellow nature lovers and sharing your mission (no commercial vending or sales, please) to highlight how your partnership keeps this special place thriving. Raptor's Baseball Supporting Wildlife!Support a good cause and enjoy summer baseball as the Ridgefield Raptors take on the NW Star Nighthawks on July 2nd! 50% of all ticket sales through our LINK ONLY will be split with the Friends of Ridgefield NWR!  Birding Enthusiasts Check out what bird species are being seen on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - both past and current archives - on our website. A Bee StoryWho Is Visiting Your Flowers? A Beginner’s Guide to Clark County’s Native Bees As spring moves toward summer in Clark County, gardens begin buzzing with activity. Many people notice “bees” visiting flowers, but few realize they are often observing an incredible diversity of native species rather than just honeybees...keep reading... -Anne Bulger, Friends of Ridgefield NWR Board Member, & OSU Master Melittology Lead Instructor for the RNWR Image of Purple Miner Bee by la4bonte/iNaturalist Ridgefield First Saturday15th Annual Big Paddle Waterfront FestivalJune 6, 2026  The Ridgefield Big Paddle Waterfront Festival commemorates the designation of the Lewis River to Vancouver Lake Water Trail each year on National Trails Day. The City of Ridgefield and Ridgefield First Saturdays will be offering a selection of guided paddles, hikes (led by Friends board members and volunteers!) and other activities to get you out and enjoying the outdoors during Big Paddle. Stay Involved:Join the Friends - Become a MemberAll members will receive a digital member card, a free optional tote bag, a sticker, and other perks. Members over $60 also gain access to the Soar into Wellness Program, & Members giving over $1000 are also included in a special website highlight!  Support While You Shop Get the whole family geared up and support Refuge conservation with every purchase. If you're looking for gorgeous nature and wildlife photography on jigsaw puzzles, we have you covered!  When you link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to the Friends, you help us earn donations from Fred Meyer Community Rewards. It's easy! Search Friends of Ridgefield NWR, #PK822  Friends Amazon Wishlist- Support our work and the Refuge's initiatives! Whether it's habitat restoration or BirdFest & Bluegrass, we'll feature items essential to efforts toward achieving conservation and community outreach goals. Friends Board MeetingsJoin the Friends of Ridgefield NWR Board for their monthly meeting. Meetings start at 5:00 PM every second Monday of the month and will be either virtual or in-person with a virtual option. Please contact us to find out how to join in! Board Meeting Dates 2026: June 8 July 13 August 10 September 14 *October 19 November 9 December 14 *moved due to a federal holiday or Board decision  Become a Business Alliance MemberAs a member of the Friends of the RNWR Business Alliance, you invest in one of our urban metropolitan area’s most unique and diverse natural and cultural resources. Find out more. Sponsors:Business Alliance Members:   In-Kind Support:   BirdFest & Bluegrass:           Granting Organizations & Partners          More Ways to HelpWant more updates on Refuge events & happenings? Follow the Friends on social media or our website by clicking the logos below! Stay connected when you're off the Refuge. Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge | PO BOX 1022 | Ridgefield, WA 98642 |
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Stay updated on Refuge events, news, and wildlife sightings!
Shop for items that the Friends and the Refuge Complex need to help with everything from habitat restoration to events like BirdFest & Bluegrass, and help support wildlife in little and big ways.
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Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (PK822). For more information, please visit the link below.
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