April 2019 Newsletter

Board seeking committee members, Project Closure Updates, Spring Trainings and more!

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The Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

The latest updates | April, 2019

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Friends Board Seeking Committee Members

The Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is seeking community members to join our committees! If you are interested in helping out the Friends but don't have time to commit to being a board member, this is a great way to get involved. Maybe you have a talent you want to share, or want to help give the Friends a little extra support - whatever the reason, we are happy to have you join us!

We are looking for support in these committees:

- Finance

- Grants

- Fundraising

- BirdFest Committee

Please email alix@ridgefieldfriends.org with your interest!

Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events

River 'S' and Trail Closures

Stay up-to-date on all the projects going on this year

at the official Refuge 20/20 website, where all the projects at Ridgefield and Steigerwald Lake NWR’s are explained.

More info added all the time - check back for updates and more!

Currently:

- The River 'S' Unit and Auto Tour Route (1071 S Hillhurst Rd.) are closed Monday-Friday for bridge construction, open Saturdays and Sundays until summer 2020.

- The Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail (28908 NW Main Ave.), starting at the end of the paved section will be closed for our Oak Restoration Project until June 2019.

- The Main Street Extension project may impede traffic to the Carty Unit and the Refuge office (28908 NW Main Ave) - be aware that there may be wait times or single lane traffic at times.

Please contact the Refuge Office at (360) 887-4106 during regular business hours (M-F, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM) for more information.

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 7:30 am to 3:30 pm at 360-887-4106.

(click flyer to view larger or download)

Bird Walks

Birding at Ridgefield NWR

The following hikes are led by Ron Escano. They start at 8am at the respective trail head and last two to three hours. These hikes are free, however you are required to pay the Refuge $3 daily entrance fee (free with Federal Lands Pass or Refuge Annual Pass). Please bring cash or applicable pass and allow yourself an extra 5 minutes to register at the self service kiosk. Click here for more information about passes and fees at Ridgefield NWR.

Oaks to Wetlands Trail on the Carty Unit

(Please Note: Starting March 18, 2019 until approx. June 2019, the Oaks to Wetlands Trail north of the Oak Overlook (where the nature pave ends) will be closed to all public access due to the removal of coniferous trees for oak restoration. Thus, these walks will only utilize the open portions of the Oaks to Wetlands trail.)

Saturday, May 11

Saturday, June 1

Kiwa Trail on the River 'S' Unit

(Please Note: Starting March 18, 2019 until July 2020 the River 'S' Unit will be closed Monday - Fridays to all public access, including pedestrians, and re-opening on weekends, during construction of a new bridge. Weekend visitation may increase due to weekday closures.)

Saturday, May 4

Saturday, May 25

Saturday, June 15

Birding at Steigerwald Lake NWR

The following hikes are led by Ron Escano. They start at 8am at the respective trail head and last two to three hours. There is no entrance fee at this site.

Saturday, March 23

Saturday, April 27

Saturday, May 18

Saturday, June 8

Additional Guided Bird Walks with Ken Pitts, at Steigerwald Lake NWR are listed below. These walks last two to three hours. There is no entrance fee at this site. These walks start at 8:00 AM at the Gibbons Creek Trail head off SR-14

Saturday, March 30

Saturday, April 13

Saturday, May 11

Saturday, May 25

These walks start at 7:00 AM at the Gibbons Creek Trail head off SR-14:

Saturday, June 22

Saturday, July 13

Saturday, July 27

Saturday, Aug 10

Saturday, Aug 24

Click here to learn more about the Steigerwald Lake Refuge and trail.

(click flyer to view larger or download)

From the Contact Station

Spring is full of changes

We always anticipate change as the seasons move though. Spring is a time of anticipation. While most ducks and swans move north to nest while we eagerly await the arrival of Cedar Waxwings, Wood Ducks in the fine breeding feathers, turtles on the stream logs, and the Turkey Vultures that float on the updrafts. This year, with the big projects on the Refuge, we will also have to alter our visits to the Refuge. For the Contact Station Volunteers, some of us will double up on weekends while others will move to other ways to help the Refuge. You may see some of us on the trails in our blue vests...Keep Reading...

-Susan Setterberg, Contact Station Volunteer & Board Past President

Cathlapotle Plankhouse Updates & Events

Plankhouse Docent & Education Volunteer Training

Dates have been set for this year’s Plankhouse Docent and Education Program volunteer training! We promise that the second weekend in April will be full of interesting information and fun activities about the deep history of this landscape. Come join us!

April 13^th and 14^th, 2019

Saturday and Sunday

10:00-3:00*

*Please send an RSVP email, with your full name, and “Plankhouse Volunteer” in the subject line to ridgefieldvolunteer@fws.gov

(click to view larger or download)

Cathlapotle Plankhouse Second Sunday Series

Download this flyer to plan your summer at the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, and make sure to come see us the opening weekend of the house, May 4th & 5th, 2019! The Cathlapotle Plankhouse will be open from 12-4pm both days.

(click to view larger or download)

Preserve America is a national initiative in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; the U.S. Departments of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Education; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities; and the President's Council on Environmental Quality.

Habitat Restoration Updates & Events

Slowly Settling into Spring

While the Refuge is closed for construction on the River ‘S’ Bridge and the Oak Restoration, we are focusing new recruitment efforts on other refuges in the complex, such as the 3^rd Saturday Work Parties at Steigerwald Lake NWR. We will have a 4^th Saturday Work Party at Ridgefield on April 27^th - email early to sign up! Wednesday work parties will be limited due to...Keep reading...

Now you can sign up to volunteer on our website!
Check it out by clicking here!

General Habitat Questions? Contact Keith Rutz or contact us for more information.

Species Spotlight

Common garter snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

We are lucky here in the Pacific Northwest to have a wide variety of variations of garter snakes to see when out in the wild. Often called “gardener” snakes, garter snake is the common name for the nearly harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis found over most of North America. Common garter snakes come in a wide range of colors, with a pattern of yellow stripes on a black, brown or green background, and their average total length (including tail) is about 22 inches. Common garter snakes go into brumation... Keep Reading...

Seeking Business Alliance Members

As a member of the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Business Alliance, you invest in one of our urban metropolitan area’s most unique and diverse natural and cultural resources. Click here to find out more!

Calling All Volunteers!

Volunteer Opportunities:

Habitat Restoration
Volunteers get to see the most beautiful places on the Refuge while helping to ensure that native wildlife have food and shelter. Summer work is focused on maintaining winter plantings and controlling invasive plants that threaten to take

over habitat. Crews meet on most Wednesday

and Saturday mornings. Contact Keith Rutz at Keith_rutz@fws.gov or 360-887-3883 x 14.

Refuge and Trail Greeters
Over 120,000 visitors flock to the Refuge annually

to enjoy nature through participation in wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, cultural interpretation, hunting, and fishing. Volunteers help to make their experiences meaningful. Share your enthusiasm for nature and make the Refuge a welcoming place for people walking our trails, stopping at the Visitor Contact Station and driving the Auto Tour. Contact Josie Finley at josie_finley@fws.gov or 360-887-4106 x 130.

Cathlapotle Plankhouse
The Cathlapotle Plankhouse draws thousands of visitors to the Refuge each year. Help share the legacy of the Indigenous people who have tended to this land since time immemorial as a Plankhouse Docent or Cultural Educator. Field trips take place during the weekdays. Docents staff the House on weekends from April - September. Contact Juliet McGraw at juliet_mcgraw@fws.gov 360-887-4106 x 123.

Education
Help us inspire the next generation. Kids of all ages need hands-on learning and inspiration in the great outdoors as part of a well-rounded education. We need your help to make their visit to the Refuge fun and memorable. Field trips take place during the weekdays starting in April. Contact Josie Finley at josie_finley@fws.gov or 360-887-4106 x 130.

Now you can sign up to volunteer easily on our website!
Check it out by clicking here!

Learn more about volunteering at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge here

Birding Enthusiasts

Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here.

Ridgefield First Saturday:

Earth Day Rally

April 6, 2019

See exhibits and hands-on activities aimed at educating Ridgefield residents about protecting our environment and living green- and learning how to enjoy our natural resources.

Full Schedule Here

Benefits of Membership

Discounts at local businesses for new and renewing members! Would you like to enjoy a cup of coffee from Ridgefield's Seasons after a morning hike on the Refuge? Lunch at Vinnie's Pizza in-between the River 'S' and Carty Units? Dinner and drinks at the Historic Sportsman's Restaurant and Lounge after a busy day of wildlife viewing (5% off a meal with member card!)? Or maybe you would like to get a discount on some supplies at Shorty's or Backyard Bird Shop? How about a night out at Ilani? Find out more, become a Friend, or renew your membership today and receive a member card with great discounts at these wonderful local businesses! Feel free to contact us for any questions or inquiries.

The Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge promote the enjoyment, understanding, and protection of native and endangered birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. We focus on our local community and the Pacific Northwest. Visit us on the web at www.ridgefieldfriends.org

Support the Friends While You Shop

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 click here. You can search for us by our name, Friends of Ridgefield NWR, or by our non-profit number, PK822. Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping earn a donation to support the Friends and Ridgefield NWR. If you do not have a Rewards Card, ask at the Customer Service desk of any FM store.

Log on to smile.amazon.com and shop as you usually would - .5% of your purchase will be donated directly to the Friends! Use the link with your existing user name and password. When prompted to select a charity, choose the Friends of Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge.

Giving Assistant makes it easy to donate to Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge! Simply shop online, earn cash back, and donate as much as 30% of your purchase price - Giving Assistant facilitates the whole process. Now, you can help change the world for free while saving money at over 3,000 popular online retailers like Home Depot, ULTA, and Macy’s! Start HERE! Thanks for being an EcoShopper and helping the Refuge!

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.