All Newsletters

Current Newsletter PDF

Click the link for each newsletter to view or download

Current Newsletter

View and download our current newsletter »

2024

November 2024 - Final fee-free day of 2024, Prescribed Fire success, 2024 Photo Contest Calendars on sale now, welcome Abby to the board, "From the Contact Station" is back, and more!
October 2024 - Prescribed Fire & Temporary Cart Unit Access Changes, BirdFest & Bluegrass Kick-off event details and registration & Saturday event details, Vancouver Audubon World Migratory Bird Day, Lights Out for Birds, and more.
September 2024 - Photo Contest ends September 3, Official BirdFest & Bluegrass 2024 25th Anniversary schedule, Lights Out for Birds, WMBD with Vancouver Audubon, Join the Board, and more!
August 2024 - New online Pass payment options for the Refuge, new interactive Refuge maps, Kiwa Trail opens August 2nd, BirdFest & Bluegrass links and Save-the-Date, and more!
July 2024 - Summer is here and the Friends are in gear! From new member cards and Board Member recruitment to digital volunteering and a new Amazon Wishlist - there are tons of ways to get involved with the Friends and the Refuge, and support wildlife every day.
June 2024 - Sandhill Crane updates, Community Nature Center and Volunteer updates from Josie, and our new digital member card system that saves!
May 2024 - Sandhill Cranes on the Kiwa Trail, Love is Blind this GiveBig 2024, construction updates, refuge updates, and much more.
April 2024 - Community Nature Center Breaks ground! Spring migration is underway, the Friends awarded the Spirit of the Wild Award in March, and more!
March 2024 - Volunteering information, last chance to RSVP for the Annual Member Meeting, lessons from an young bird, and more!
February 2024 - Hellos & Goodbyes to people and some bird species, Jr. Duck Stamp Contest details, ice storm updates, and more!
January 2024 - The latest and greatest news about the Friends and Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge! Thank you donors, sponsors, members, and Friends! Check out what wildlife has been spotted, and more.

2023

December 2023 - Winter shopping inspiration (and a way to make every purchase mean a little bit more), falling into December on the Refuge, help the Gorge Refuge Stewards, and more...
November 2023 - Get BirdFest & Bluegrass sweatshirts before they're gone! Start holiday shopping with our 2023 Refuge Photo Contest 2024 calendar, sign up for fall and winter walks, find what's arriving at the Refuge and what the wildlife is up to, and more!
October 2023 - BirdFest & Bluegrass 2023!! Walk for the Wild, Bird & Night Hikes, Welcome Fall, and so much more!!
September 2023 - New Round up program, Walk for the Wild details, BirdFest & Bluegrass schedule, Photo Contest is almost over, Sandhill Crane Miracles, goodbye NYC and YCC, and more!
August 2023 - BirdFest & Bluegrass schedule (*UPDATED Please check the BirdFest & Bluegrass page*), plus crane tour sign ups, Bird of the Year Button sales, Photo Contest, Under the Cottonwoods, and more!
July 2023 - Watch for turtles! Wildlife encounters, as well as Photo Contest info, a BirdFest & Bluegrass save the date, and more!
June 2023 - First of the month Auto Tour Route closure, welcome Alyssa Jayne & Palmer, Magnificent migration, Big Paddle, and more!
May 2023 - Get ready for GiveBig, May 2-3rd, 2023!, Volunteer Orientation May 7th, Gorge Refuge Stewards Youth Photo Contest, and tons more!
April 2023 - Get ready for GiveBig May 2-3, Wilderness First Aid with WTA, Watch for snakes!, migration changes, and more!
March 2023 - What's that you may have heard on the Refuge? Seeing those exciting birds, and how to do it respectfully, and more!
February 2023 - Be our Valentine, review the Annual Member & Volunteer Appreciation Meeting, learn more about the Junior Duck Stamp in Washington, find Black Phoebes, and more!
January 2023 - Thank you 2022 Donors and Members, January Member & Volunteer Appreciation Meeting details, Happy New Year from the Refuge, Christmas Bird Count fun, and more!

2022

2021

December 2021 - We're recruiting new board members, selling holiday gifts, seeing big birds, getting ready for our Annual Membership & Volunteer Appreciation Meeting in January, and more!
November 2021 - 2022 Calendar sales, new merch, fall Refuge plans and thoughts, GivingTuesday, and so much more!
October 2021 - BirdFest & Bluegrass 2021 info and more!
September 2021 - Refuge updates, Photo Contest, GiveMore24, BirdFest news and T-shirt sale, our final Second Sunday of the year, and tons more!
August 2021 - Check out the most recent image of our Sandhill Crane family in a new spot on the Refuge, find out what has been happening and what's coming up for the Refuge and for you virtually, and more.
July 2021 - Sandhill Crane & Kiwa Trail update, Second Sunday info, Summer is here, and more!
June 2021 - Check out our upcoming plans for summer, including our Virtual June Cathlapotle Plankhouse Second Sunday event, what has been going on so far this spring, and more!
May 2021 - Second Sunday event info, Kiwa Trail and seasonal trails updates and more!
April 2021 - Find out what work was done last month, what we are doing to get ready for the Second Sunday season, and more!
March 2021 - Friends Changes, Fee Program Reinstated, snow fun and more!
February 2021 - Video of Don & Earleen Griswold accepting the Spirit of the Wild Award on behalf of the Friends, as part of our Annual Membership & Volunteer Appreciation Meeting!
January 2021 - Thank you 2020 Members and Donors, Annual Member & Volunteer Brunch, Refuge updates and 2021 plans.

2020

December 2020 - GivingTuesday, 2021 Calendars, Membership Meeting Save the Date, November recap and December Plans!
November 2020 - BirdFest numbers and thanks, 2021 Calendars for sale, Refuge musings and updates, Steigerwald updates, GivingTuesday, and more!
October 2020 - BirdFest & Bluegrass Schedule and updates, GM24 Thank you, Habitat Updates and Steigerwald Lake Reconnection Project Update
September 2020 - BirdFest updates, Photo Contest, BirdFest Trivia registration, Carty Unit closure, GiveMore24!, and more!
August 2020 - Find out about our plans for BirdFest & Bluegrass this year, where you can buy BirdFest buttons, Refuge updates (including the Kiwa Trail) and more!
July 2020 - Meet our new Refuge Project leader and Habitat Restoration technician, learn what the Friends are planning for the future, check in on the wildlife of the Refuge, and more.
June 2020 - Life continues on the Refuge, plans for the future, and more.
May 2020 - Refuge Status Updates an more!
April 2020 - Due to Covid-19, the Refuge, as well as volunteer programs and events, are on hold until further notice.
March 2020 - Spring is around the corner, find out what the Refuge has in store!
February 2020 - Member Brunch recap, ramping up into spring, and more!
January 2020 - Annual Member & Volunteer Brunch, project updates, gratitude for volunteers, donors, sponsors, and Friends. Here's to a wonderful 2020!

2019

December 2019 - #GivingTuesday, Member Dinner Save the Date, new "From the Refuge" section, construction updates, bird sightings and more!
November 2019 - Thank you BirdFest & Bluegrass supporters, Construction updates and changes, Bird Walks, and more!
October 2019 - BirdFest & Bluegrass fun, construction updates, fall volunteering, and more!
September 2019 - Learn about GiveMore24!, get construction updates, plan the month ahead, learn about the Refuge, and more!
August 2019 - Don't forget to buy your Raptors tickets, learn about Refuge project updates, save the dates for upcoming events, and so much more!
July 2019 - BirdFest & Bluegrass kick-off Save the Date, BirdFest Vendors, 2019 Photo Contest, construction updates, Prescribed Fire Second Sunday, and more!
June 2019 - Kick off summer events this June, planning for those hot months ahead, and more!
May 2019 - Seasonal Trails, what is opened and closed; Spring happenings and updates, and more!
April 2019 - Board seeking committee members, Project Closure Updates, Spring Trainings and more!
March 2019 - Check out the big projects coming up for the Refuge, volunteer training dates, special events and more!
February 2019 - January was a slow month with the Government Shutdown, but check out our plans for February and beyond!
January 2019 - Happy New Year and Thank you supporters! January Member Brunch, Government Shutdown and more.

2018

December 2018 - 2019 Calendars on sale, Save the Date for our Member and Volunteer Brunch in January, Refuge in the Winter and Thank you Donors!
November 2018 - 2019 Refuge Photo Contest Calendars on sale, Friends seeking new Board Members, Sean Davis Goodbye, Native American Heritage Month, Refuge poetry and more...
October 2018 - BirdFest & Bluegrass is October 5th, 6th & 7th! Plankhouse Second Sunday info, Naturalist-led hikes and volunteer opportunities ahead!
September 2018 - Find out about BirdFest, upcoming Naturalist-led hikes, Second Sunday info, partner events and so so much more!
August 2018 - Thanks for the support, Calling all BFBG Vendors, Where is Everyone? and more...
July 2018 - Join Us July 20th for the Friends of Ridgefield NWR Annual Fundraiser, July 8th Plankhouse Oaksploration, Volunteer Opportunities and Refuge news!
June 2018 - Now taking Fundraiser auction donations, Elk on the Refuge! More chances to be outside with Habitat Restoration, Eggs-ellent donations, and so much more!
May 2018 - Kiwa Trail season starts May 1st, Plankhouse Season Opens May 5th, Tabling at Partner Events, Habitat Restoration opportunities and more!
April 2018 - Spring Volunteer Naturalist Training, New Benefits of Membership, Plankhouse Opening Dates and more!
March 2018 - Wild in the City! Open House, Spring Volunteer Training Schedule, Education program updates, a new “Name That Bird” game and more!
February 2018 - Welcome new Executive Director and Board Members, Environmental & Cultural Education Updates and so much more!
January 2018 - January Member Dinner, Thank you Donors, 2017 Habitat Wrap Up, and more!

2017

December - Calendars, Save the Dates, Donor Thank You’s Oh My!
November - Remembering Sydney Reisbick, Overlook Park Art Dedication, Save the Date, Fundraising Calendars Coming Soon and much more!
October - BirdFest Schedule, Buttons and t-shirts, River ‘S’ Closures and a whole lot more!
September - BirdFest & Bluegrass 2017 Schedule, September Second Sunday at the Plankhouse, Night Hike and more!
August - Thank you for July Fundraiser, BirdFest & Bluegrass buttons, August Second Sunday and more!
July - July 19th Fundraiser, July Second Sunday, Sarah Goodbye and Juliet Hello and more…
June - June Plankhouse Second Sunday, Big Paddle, High Water, Summer Teacher Camp, Special Invasive Trainings and more!
May - Cathlapotle Plankhouse Mother's Day Celebration, Naturalist Led Hikes, Second Sundays and more!
April - Plankhouse Season opening, Volunteer Naturalist Trainings, spring cleaning and more!
March - Community & Nature Center Update, Refuge Open House, Volunteer Training in March and April, and more!
February - Member Dinner Success, Calendars 1/2 off, New Faces, Upcoming Events, Starting BirdFest Planning
January - Annual Member and Volunteer Meeting Invite, Thank You Members, Donors an Sponsors!

2016

December - Annual Member Dinner date, Holiday Calendar Gifts, Gearing up for the new year!
November - Membership meeting moved, Columbian White-Tailed Deer
October - BirdFest & Bluegrass 2016!
September - Save the Date: BirdFest & Bluegrass 2016
August - 2016 Refuge Photo Contest
July - Tips for Summer Refuge Visits
June - Ridgefield First Saturday: Big Paddle Festival
May - Plankhouse Season Opening Big Success!
April - Best of Clark County: Outdoor fun
March - Calling All Volunteers!
February - BirdFest & Bluegrass Planning Committee Seeks New Members and Chair!
January - Annual Membership and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner a Success

Upcoming Events

Mon
9

Board Meeting
December 9
Mon
13

Board Meeting
January 13
Mon
10

Board Meeting
February 10

View More →

Support While You Shop

When Amazon removed AmazonSmile, we lost our Amazon Wishlist access. Now, we have finally started one back up! 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.

Learn More »

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.