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The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
The latest updates | August, 2022
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2022 Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest |
Submit your favorite nature images taken within the boundaries of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge to the 16th Annual 2022 photography competition!
CATEGORIES:
BIRDS
WILDLIFE
PLANT LIFE
LANDSCAPE & STRUCTURES
ADULT CATEGORY PRIZES:
1st Place [in each category]:
$150 Pro Photo Supply Gift Card*
Inclusion in Gallery Showing at Pro Photo Supply.
12 x19 high quality digital print from Gallery Showing at Pro Photo Supply
Honorable Mention:
Inclusion in Gallery Showing at Pro Photo Supply.
12 x19 high quality digital print from Gallery Showing at Pro Photo Supply
YOUTH CATEGORY PRIZE:
1st Place:
$75 Pro Photo Supply Gift Card*
Inclusion in Gallery Showing at Pro Photo Supply.
12 x19 high-quality digital print from Gallery Showing at Pro Photo Supply
Honorable Mention:
Inclusion in Gallery Showing at Pro Photo Supply.
12 x19 high-quality digital print from Gallery Showing at Pro Photo Supply
*Gift Cards from Pro Photo Supply
Submission Deadline: September 10, 2022
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Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events
Gate times for both units 5:30 am - 9:30 pm
Seasonal Trails close Sept 30th & re-open May 1st.
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Kiwa Trail Now Open!
We are so excited to announce the reopening of the Kiwa Trail through September. What an amazing milestone for this community to have celebrated another year of being host to an endangered species; a nesting sandhill crane pair. Now that they are no longer dependent on that specific site and can move freely about the Refuge, we welcome you to come enjoy this part of your Refuge.
Tyler Fung and Abbie Funk, youth hires from the Student Conservation Association, walked the trail and report that the mosquitoes, like most places in the area, are healthy and thriving. Remember water, sunscreen, and your own personal style of insect repellent when you come to explore.
What will we do next year? We will continue to keep monitoring activity on the trail every April for crane nesting activity and announce the status on our website. Thank you to everyone for your patience and support for wildlife.
-Josie Finley, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Manager
image: a freshly cleared Kiwa Trail boardwalk, July 2022, image by Tyler Fung
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The Carty Unit Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail, within the Oak Restoration area, is generally closed Thursdays for trail maintenance, watch for signs.
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.
Check the Refuge2020.info website for project updates on all our Refuges in the Ridgefield Complex.
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From the Contact Station
The Stork has Arrived
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There has certainly been a plethora of baby animals. Of course, the stork I mean is the one of myth and legend who brings babies to families. Probably first and foremost on the Refuge is the hatching of way too many mosquitoes this year. I try to think of them as bird food, but I carry a tube of hydrocortisone cream with me to ease the itch. I have found dressing in permethrin sprayed clothing from head to toe also helps. Although, I have the look of a zombie emerging from the walk to the blind especially when I am wearing a mask. Who knew an N-95 had another purpose.
But mosquitoes aside, which seem to be abating a bit as we move into August and the standing water has been lowered, baby animals have been...keep reading...
-Susan Setterberg, Contact Station Volunteer
image: Photo of deer fawn by Anne Coulter, Honorable Mention, Wildlife Category, 2021 Refuge Photo contest
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Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here.
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Ridgefield First Saturdays
City Days, Dragon Boats, & Forest Fair
August 6, 2022
Meet City employees, see equipment, and learn more about how your city works!
Ridgefield Day of Festivals: There are multiple events in Ridgefield on this day, including City Days, the Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Races, and the RAA Forrest Fair.
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Habitat Restoration
Bad Plant, Good Plant
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A significant portion of our summer days consist of managing invasive plant species. Tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is a common invasive species found on the Refuge. As a Washington Class B noxious weed, tansy ragwort is toxic to both humans and livestock. It is a biennial, herbaceous plant that typically forms dark green, basal leaves (resembling kale) in its first year. By its second year, yellow flowerheads in flat-topped clusters emerge and can reach up to four feet in height. It is most commonly found in pastures, cleared forested areas, along roadsides, fencelines, and trails.
Tansy ragwort is a major concern on the Refuge because not only can it be fatal to the cows on the Refuge, but it easily displaces native plants and once established, it can be difficult to eradicate. Our management strategy consists of a combination of hand pulling the entire plant, removing and bagging flowerheads, and broadleaf herbicide treatment; however, we have found that it has some resistance to herbicide especially in its second growth year. Removal and treatment of the plant when it's a first year rosette seems to prove most successful. Also, cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaea) caterpillars are used as biological control and have been shown to completely defoliate tansy ragwort (see picture to the left).
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Conversely, Oceanspray, or Ironwood, (Holodiscus discolor) is a Pacific Northwest native deciduous shrub that supports a diversity of birds and pollinators. Oceanspray leaves alternate along the stem and have lobed or toothed edges, but it is most easily distinguished by its cream to white colored flower clusters. Oceanspray can grow in both sun or shade and is adapted to dry to moist conditions making it a great addition to any garden. If you can stand the wrath of the mosquitos, our oceanspray is in full bloom on the Oaks to Wetlands trail at the Carty Unit, just don’t forget your bug spray!
-Justine Casebolt, Habitat Restoration Technician
images: Tansy Ragwort covered in Cinnabar Moth caterpillars, Oceanspray in bloom on the Refuge, by Justine Casebolt
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Refuge Volunteering
Volunteer Happenings
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On July 17th, we had a fantastic turnout for our Refuge Ambassador Training, with 22 attendees! Together we discussed what it means to be an Ambassador for our Refuge Complex. We came up with a list of 4 main goals *(pictured here)!* Upcoming training dates are still in the works. For now, we are so excited to have a new group of Refuge Ambassadors join the team to be the welcoming faces you meet on the Complex!
Habitat Restoration is in full swing and we could use all hands on deck. Ricefield Bulrush season is back and our Habitat Coordinator Keith is incorporating some new expertise and techniques to try and eradicate this Class A invasive species from our wetlands! Work parties occur every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 am - 12 pm on the River S and Carty units. Fill out the form at the bottom of the Friends webpage to get on the list for future work parties!
This summer we were unable to get a Youth Conservation Corps crew to help maintain trails appearance and accessibility. As a result, we are seeing an increase in vegetation growth smothering benches, signs, and trails. We would like to create a weekly or bi-weekly of volunteers that would be interested in helping the Refuge with this project! All you need to learn is how to use basic gardening tools and plant snips, some light plant ID, and have the ability to traverse over gravel trails with low inclines. You will gain Landscaping, Habitat Restoration, and Visitor Services experience in this volunteer position!
Volunteer Program Transitions
Hi, my name is Elena Tinoco and I have been the Volunteer Coordinator for the past 2+ years. Through my journey, the Refuge has looked out for me and offered job growth opportunities since 2016! I have held the positions of Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Student, YCC Crew Leader, Habitat Technician, and finally Volunteer Coordinator. I’ve had the unique pleasure of working closely alongside Fish and Wildlife and the Gorge Refuge Stewards. As I reflect over the last two years of being shut down, I am proud that my team was able to start back up a more intentional and collaborative volunteer program for the Ridgefield Complex Refuges! Shout out to my (Gorge Refuge Stewards counterpart) Jared Strawderman the Stewardship and Community Engagement Coordinator who played a large part as a mentor and partner in implementing new volunteer management strategies!
It is bittersweet to announce that I have accepted a new position with Deviant Compassion Consulting as an Operations Manager that will begin on August 1st. This position will provide me with the opportunity to implement my Psychology degree on a deeper level and increase my skills in the direction of my dream career! I am happy to say that I will remain involved with the Refuge as a volunteer. I hope to see you at BirdFest!
-Elena Tinoco, FRNWR Volunteer Coordinator
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Species Spotlight
Humm, what was that?
Spotted Towhee vs Black-headed Grosbeak
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When there is a quiet moment in the Contact Station, I like to look out the side windows at the feeder to see what might be there. This spring I have been enjoying the company of several Black-headed Grosbeaks and Spotted Towhees. It occurred to me that the male grosbeak and the male towhee have a very similar fashion sense. Talking to a visitor I looked up to see a bird on the feeder and said, “Oh, there’s the Black-headed Grosbeak. No, it’s a Spotted Towhee.” No, wait, on the ground there was one of each, similar in appearance but different in several ways. It got me thinking about how a quick glance can get you in trouble with your identification. It does happen....keep reading...
-Susan Setterberg, Contact Station Volunteer
image: Spotted Towhee by Susan Setterberg
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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 third Monday of the month and will be on Zoom until further notice, contact us to join in!
2022: August 15, September 19, October 17, November 21, December 19
(*moved due to federal holiday or conflict)
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Check out our NEW store items, with more being added all the time! We have mugs that change colors, tote bags, sweatshirts, and more, all featuring our 2019, 2020, AND 2021 Refuge Photo Contest winning photos, 2021 Spring Break Youth Art Contest art, as well as the 2021 BirdFest & Bluegrass button image, and the "Back to the Refuge" logo!
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Get your friends and family (or yourself!) a gift that will remind them of nature's beauty and support a wonderful cause!
If there isn't something you like, you can always donate, or buy a membership to the Friends in someone's name - an annual gift program that supports wildlife, habitat, volunteers, education, and more.
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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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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. |
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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: Oca Hoflein, 2018, 2nd place Landscape 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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