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Best of Clark County
Winner:
RIDGEFIELD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE!
Category: Outdoor Fun
Since 2008, The Columbian asks people who love Clark County to nominate their favorites in various categories including restaurants, shops, and recreation. These nominations generate a top 5 for each category. The public votes for two weeks among the top 5 in each category to determine category winners. The list of winners is annually published in The Columbian as the Best of Clark County. The 2016 results are in and for the category of Outdoor Fun, The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge wins! Clark County is telling the world that they appreciate this great natural, educational and fun resource we have right here, thank you Clark County!
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Calling All Volunteers!
Plankhouse Volunteer Training:
Saturday- April 2nd, 10 am - 3 pm
The Plankhouse at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge provides the community a space to celebrate, learn about, and interact with local Native American culture. Volunteers lead that learning and discovery on the weekends with the public and during the week with school groups. Come to this introductory class and learn how you can be part of this amazing team. No experience necessary. Just bring your interest in culture and nature and we provide all the training.
Volunteer Naturalist Training: For those interested in working with school groups and the general public at Ridgefield AND Steigerwald Lake!
Fridays- April 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th.
Thousands of adults and school children visit our local refuges annually and volunteers are often the only people they get to share their stories and questions with. Share your interest and passion with others by exploring with school children, leading guided walks with the public, or simply greeting people on our trails and in the contact station. This training will introduce both Ridgefield and Steigerwald Lake Refuges and how to interact and communicate with many fun and interesting people.
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BirdFest & Bluegrass Planning Committee Seeks New Members and Chair!
BirdFest & Bluegrass Planning Committee Seeks New Members and Chair!
Do you love attending our annual BirdFest celebration? Do you want to see it be successful in 2016? If so, than we need YOU to get involved in planning next years event. Commitment is one two hour meeting a month, March - September, and volunteering BirdFest Weekend (October 1st & 2nd).
We are looking for help in the following areas:
- Committee Chair (Work with current committee chair to schedule/host monthly meetings, and handle big picture event logistics)
- Organizing Kids activities in Davis Park
- Coordinating the vendors in the Birders Marketplace at the Community Center
- Coordinate special walks or talks
- Just sit in and brainstorm new and exciting BirdFest activities!
Want to Make BirdFest a success?
Contact Sarah at: sarah_hill@fws.gov (360) 887-4106
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Pacific Flyway Ambassadors
Birdtripper Project Overview
2016 marks the Centennial of the first Migratory Bird Treaty, the cornerstone of international joint efforts to conserve birds that migrate across the United States and neighboring countries.
A total of four Migratory Bird Treaties have been signed and they have collectively facilitated a long, successful history of conserving, protecting and managing migratory bird populations and their habitats in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Russia.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, together with a collection of federal, NGO and international partners, will draw attention this spring to the incredible journey of migrating birds. Two young bird novices are embarking on a one-of-a-kind epic road trip up the Pacific Flyway from southern California to Alaska, using modern storytelling tools and techniques to engage new and diverse communities.
These ambassadors of birds will invite others to follow their journey through blogs and social media posts as they migrate up the Pacific coast. Their inspiration will be the landscapes and people of National Wildlife Refuges, National Parks and other wildlife hot spots, as well as Urban Bird Treaty Cities and other large communities. Through fun and dynamic storytelling the ambassadors will highlight extraordinary bird facts, threats and challenges birds face across urban and rural landscapes, and innovations of thought and design that are contributing to a brighter future for birds.
Enriching the journey will be a parade of wildlife experts, bird enthusiasts and everyday people sharing their insights, feelings, and perspectives about birds both locally and globally. By engaging a variety of perspectives and knowledge, the ambassadors will paint a picture of our collective understanding and appreciation of birds and emphasize opportunities to make a difference.
The focus on connecting new and diverse audiences is critical to the Service’s goal of establishing public relevance for the mission-based work of the agency and its partners in conservation.
To see the project, and to find out how to support this project, including engaging with them on social media, click HERE!
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Ridgefield Refuge Complex
News & Events
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) –
Summer Employment Opportunity
If you are between the ages of 15 and 18, and looking for summer employment, the Fish & Wildlife Service is offering Summer employment from June 20, 2016 through August 12, 2016. YCC participants will be involved in a variety of natural resource and recreation management projects. Projects may include, but are not limited to: interpretive facility maintenance, grounds maintenance, fence construction and maintenance, installing and maintaining signs, trail/road maintenance, litter removal, and invasive plant control. Crew members will participate in environmental education activities and field trips to nearby destination may be taken. All work projects are designed to help develop good work skills, work habits, and safety awareness.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 9, 2016. See application materials for more details.
APPLICATION MATERIALS: Available Online Here or Download Here
Paper Applications: Available at Refuge Headquarters during office hours; 28908 NW Main Ave., Ridgefield, WA.
Naturalist Led Hikes
The following listings are for Steigerwald Lake, Pierce, and Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuges. Limited space is available. Sign up by calling (360) 887-4106 or emailing Josie_Finley@fws.gov.
Other groups that may be offering guided hikes are; Backyard Birdshop, Vancouver Audubon, Portland Audubon, and the Friends of the Columbia River Gorge.
Birding the Oaks to Wetland Trail at Ridgefield NWR
Leader: Ron Escano
- Saturday April 16th
- Saturday May 14th
All walks meet at the trail head at 8:00 am and last about 3 hours.
Birding the Kiwa Trail at Ridgefield NWR
Leader: Ron Escano
- Sunday May 1st
- Saturday May 28th
- Saturday June 11th
All walks meet at the trail head at 8:00 am and last about 3 hours. The Kiwa trail is half way around the Auto Tour Route so please allow yourself an extra 15 minutes to pay your entrance fee and make your way to the trail head.
There is no charge for these walks, however the Refuge does have an entrance fee of $3 per vehicle or the use of an applicable federal lands pass. For more information about the fee program, and what passes are eligible, see our Entrance Fee and Passes page.
Birding the Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trail at Steigerwald Lake NWR
Leader: Ron Escano
- Sunday April 24th
- Saturday May 7th
- Sunday May 22nd
- Saturday June 4th
All walks meet at the trail head at 8:00 am and last about 3 hours. There is no entrance fee at Steigerwald Lake NWR.
Learn More
The Urban Wildlife Conservation Program
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is bringing nature into the city. While the four National Wildlife Refuges of the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Area are great places to experience the outdoors, we also understand that we need to meet people at their “nature beginning place,” be it at venue as grand as the Oregon Zoo or as local as neighborhood parks.
The Urban Wildlife Conservation Program gives us the people and the resources to be a strong partner in the community and advance some of the great projects and ideas rising from the many people and organizations in the Portland-Vancouver area that care as much about the future of the natural world as we do.
More than 80 percent of Americans now live in urban environments – a shift that has profound implications for the health and well-being of millions of people, especially our nation’s youth. The children of today will soon be our nation’s elected officials, business leaders, parents, and public servants. What happens when a generation that has little connection to the outdoors is suddenly in charge of taking care of nature? We hope to never have to find out.
The Urban Wildlife Conservation Program will shine a spotlight on the relevancy of conservation to the daily lives of the community through direct participation, whether it be by recreating and learning in our natural spaces or by adopting new conservation actions, big and small, right at home. Wherever people are ready to make their connection to nature and conservation, we and our partners will be there to meet them.
Check here to learn more about how the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex is striving to meet this challenge or visit the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex’s website to find out more.
To find out how much of an impact refuges have on more than just wildlife and habitat all over the country, check out this Sierra Club Article here.
Thank you for visiting the refuge and supporting conservation. If you have any questions regarding activities and regulations on the refuge, call the office Monday through Friday 7:30am to 3:30 pm at 360-887-4106.
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Cathlapotle Plankhouse
Update & Events
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The Plankhouse Spring Opening Celebration
WHEN: April 17th, 12pm - 4pm
WHERE: Cathlapotle Plankhouse
28908 NW Main Ave
Ridgefield WA 98624
Events FREE with Refuge Admission
(click the photo above to view on our website)
Upcoming Events and Exhibitions:
Portland Art Museum Presents:
Contemporary Native Photographers and the Edward Curtis Legacy
Zig Jackson, Wendy Red Star, Will Wilson
FEB 6 – MAY 8, 2016
This major exhibition will feature contemporary photographs by Native American photographers Zig Jackson, Wendy Red Star, and Will Wilson in dialogue with photographs from Edward Sheriff Curtis’ renowned body of work The North American Indian. This timely exhibition and associated educational programming will ask visitors to consider Curtis’ continuing influence on the interpretation of Native American culture while highlighting contemporary reactions to his complex role within the history of representation of indigenous peoples.
For a schedule of events, to buy tickets, and learn more click HERE
Woven: The Art of Contemporary Native Basketry
March 1 - April 23, 2016
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 2, 4-7pm
Workshops and artist talks Sunday April 3rd
in Foster Auditorium (Clark Community College)
Location: Archer Gallery, Clark Community College
1933 Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA
The exhibition features the work of 12 incredibly talented contemporary indigenous artists: Joe Feddersen, Gail Tremblay, Dawn Nichols Walden, Pat Courtney Gold, Shan Goshorn, and Bernice Akamine.
The Woven exhibit examines selected works of twelve contemporary Native artists, each with their own unique and modern approach to the age-old craft of weaving. The works in this exhibit will explore themes ranging from the basket as a beautiful vehicle to confront difficult issues to the use of traditional techniques and materials to express 21st century ideas and influences.
Upon entering the main gallery it becomes vividly clear that this exhibition’s focus is not on historic baskets. Each of the artists in this exhibit has researched, practiced and even mastered their traditional forms of basket weaving. Some use their art to tackle political and often uncomfortable social issues; others combine their traditional weaving skills with contemporary materials and imagery to create works that pay respect to tradition but also are clearly the work of a 21st century artist.
For Details and More Info Click HERE
Longhouse Education and Cultural Center
20th Anniversary Exhibition
March 31- May 11, 2016
Location: Evergreen Gallery Library
Opening Reception March 31st 5-7pm
To view this photo larger, click here
Questions? Contact Sarah at Sarah_Hill@fws.gov
or call (360) 887-4106
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Habitat Restoration
Updates & Events
March was wildcard month for our habitat restoration work. From removing Indigobush (Amorpha fruticosa) an invasive plant species along Lake River, to putting up a natural barricade of Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana) by the new bridge on the Carty Unit, staff and volunteers have been hard at work finishing up those odd projects that were sidelined in the winter. As the spring progresses we will work on maintaining our new plantings and will continue to remove invasive plant species as they reveal themselves.
Speaking of which, we’re looking for volunteer invasive plant hunters! It is a great opportunity to help us maintain a natural habitat for wildlife. We are scheduling a short training in identifying the main invasive species on the Refuge, which new invasive plant hunters will be required to attend. If you have any experience with identifying plants, and want to see unique parts of the Ridgefield NWR Complex (including Pierce and Franz Lake NWRs!), email Aiden at Aiden_Forsi@fws.gov!
Contact Aiden_Forsi@fws.gov for more details!
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Follow the Friends on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Want regular updates on Refuge events and happenings? Follow the Friends on your favorite social media by clicking the logos below to stay connected even when you are off the Refuge.
  
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Help the Friends and the Refuge When You Shop Online
When you link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to the Friends, you help us earn donations from Fred Meyer Community Rewards. It doesn't change your regular personal shopping and fuel rewards, but it does make a meaningful contribution to our work on the Refuge.
It's easy to sign up. Just go to www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. You can search for us by our name, Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, or by our non-profit number, 89824. Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping the Friends earn a donation to support the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Customer Service desk of any Fred Meyer store.
You Can Also Shop and Give Online at AmazonSmile.com
Log on to smile.amazon.com, shop as you usually would and .5% of your purchase will be donated directly to the Friends. Use the special link, smile.amazon.com, with your existing user name and password.
To set up your AmazonSmile account, click this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-2018749. When prompted to select a charity, choose the Friends of Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge. Begin shopping as you normally would and the Friends will receive 0.5% of eligible purchases.
Thanks for being an EcoShopper and helping the Refuge!
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Header Photo Credit: William Lee, 2010 Photo Contest Honorable Mention
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