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The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
The latest updates | April, 2023
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GiveBIG is coming, May 2-3, 2023! |
The Friends are participating in GiveBig 2023, the new version of #GiveMore24, an event that is usually in September; Now May 2-3, 2023!
Bookmark this page and mark your calendars for the NEW biggest giving day for Southwest Washington nonprofits.
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Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events
Gate times for both units: 7:30 am - 7:30 pm
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The Wilderness isn’t the Only Place you Need to Consider First Aid…
In an urban setting, it is often easy to forgo the first aid kit or extra layers of clothing for just a "short walk" but after March 4th’s Wilderness First Aid Training (WFA), provided by Washington Trails Association (WTA), I (Mesha) was reminded firsthand of the benefit of always being prepared for the worst.
Washington Trails Association Crew Leaders are required to know Wilderness First Aid. This certification helps them ensure that their volunteer leads are prepared to best support the crews helping fulfill the mission and work of the organization in a safe manner, which is often off the beaten path and in remote settings.
The level of care these volunteers put towards ensuring their work parties are welcoming and safe, and the investment WTA puts toward that, shows just how much they center the community in their volunteer event planning, implementation, and facilitation.
Between scenarios where participants had to figure out the mechanism of injury a pretend patient was experiencing, to demos on how to make a tourniquet and wrap a partner's pretend injured ankle - the class proved to be challenging, but also a skill set that will support the work parties to follow and participants in future jobs and or their leisure time.
The Refuge was able to participate in the training having hosted WTA at the new refuge headquarters building, and sees that helping use our urban sites to further train people on basic safety skills for exploring the outdoors both near and far, is a benefit to all. The Refuge is very thankful for this partnership and looks forward to having WTA crews on our Refuge trails later this year at both Steigerwald and Ridgefield, helping us prepare our trails for visitors (just hopefully without having to utilize this training!).
-Mesha Wood, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Park Ranger
image: Wilderness Aid Instructor teaching how to improvise a tourniquet ©USFWS/Mesha Wood
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The Carty Unit Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail, within the Oak Restoration area, may close occasionally for trail maintenance, watch for signs.
General inquiries M-F, 8 to 4:30 can be answered at 360-887-4106.
NOTE: The Washington State Discover Pass is not valid on Federally managed public lands, including National Wildlife Refuges. Find out more about fees & passes here.
Seasonal Trails close Sept 30th & re-open May 1st- Stay tuned for more details about the Kiwa Trail and Sandhill Cranes, for maybe the 4th year in a row!
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Habitat Restoration Update
That stick may not be a stick, 'Give 'em a Break'
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Visitors driving around the River S Unit this time of year are excited to get to certain points along the route to get those once-in-a-lifetime shots of different species. This is your reminder to stick to the speed limit more than ever, and make sure that stick you are running over isn't a snake.
Smaller critters like snakes and lizards are emerging whenever the weather warms up, and aren't always prepared for those temperature drops (meaning they might be stuck away from home). They make their way to open areas to absorb any sunlight they can, and get their fluids moving. Often those warmer areas are flat open spaces like roads and trails. Pretty soon, baby birds will also be using the open road as their flight school.
The speed limit on the refuge is 15 mph- but going slower is always encouraged. Sometimes you may need to pull over for volunteers, staff, or other visitors moving along the route as well, so being aware as you move around the tour makes for a fun experience for all. And remember, please be kind to one another. (If needed, please report violations to a volunteer or call the Refuge office.)
-Samantha Zeiner, Friends of RNWR Administrator, & Keith Rutz, Friends of RNWR Habitat Restoration Coordinator
image: Two images stacked - the top shows a close up of a garter snake on gravel, below; a red circle denotes that snake along the edge of the River S Unit Auto Tour.
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From the Contact Station
Say Goodbye and Hello
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Migration has already started. Have you seen the huge number of American Coots in the ponds, fields and roads recently? They make me laugh when the flock decides to cross the road. They seem to do it slowly one or two at a time, effectively making me wait until the whole flock can get across. By now, most if not all the swans and Northern Pintail are gone. Changes are happening... Keep reading...
-Susan Setterberg, Contact Station Volunteer
image: American Coots by Susan Setterberg
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Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here.
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Ridgefield First Saturdays
Ridgefield Green + Clean
April 1st, 2023
Take part in Ridgefield’s effort to keep the city clean and “green” with on-theme events, challenges, and activities.
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2022/2023 Merch Updates
NEW Puzzles!, merch featuring contest winners, BirdFest & Bluegrass button images, Chinookan Steller's Jay art by Greg Robinson, and more!
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Who loves a good jigsaw puzzle on a dark winter evening? Or maybe you know someone who does? Then we have the perfect gift for you!
We also have mugs, tote bags, photo cards, t-shirts and sweatshirts with previous photo contest winners, BirdFest logos and art, and the Chinookan Steller's Jay design by Greg A. Robinson. Get your friends and family (or yourself!) a gift that will remind them of nature's beauty and support a wonderful cause!
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Become a Business Alliance Member!
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
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Board Seeking New Members
Or, Join a Committee
The Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is a non-profit dedicated to promoting, protecting, and enhancing its wildlife habitat. We are currently seeking candidates to serve on our board of directors. We are recruiting candidates with diverse backgrounds and skills for several open board positions, in addition to candidates interested in serving on a committee (board membership not required).
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Join the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Board for their monthly meeting. Meetings start at 5 PM every second Monday of the month and will either be in-person at the Ridgefield NWR Administration Building (28908 NW Main AVE), or virtual, the plan is to switch off each month. Contact us to join in!
Board Meeting Dates for 2023:
April 10th
May 8th (virtual)
June 12th
July 10th (virtual)
August 14th
September 11th (Virtual)
October 10th*
November 13th (Virtual)
December 11th
(*moved due to federal holiday)
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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.
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Would you like to enjoy a cup of coffee from Ridgefield's Seasons Coffee after a morning hike on the Refuge? Lunch 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 Shovel & Thumb or Backyard Bird Shop? How about a night out at ilani?
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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. |
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Business Alliance Members: |
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Granting Organizations & Partners: |
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Header Photo Credit: Sandra Michaelis, 2018, 2nd place Plant Category, Refuge Photo Contest |
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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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