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The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
The latest updates | August, 2023
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BirdFest & Bluegrass 2023
October 7th, 2023
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In 2023, The City of Ridgefield will be hosting in-person in-town events, including a vendor marketplace, music, family crafts, orienteering, and more in Downtown Ridgefield, plus a kick-off to Walk for the Wild that goes from downtown to the Refuge.
The Friends will have a self-guided Carty Unit Refuge hike, there will be wandering trail stewards to answer questions, Carty Unit hourly walks and talks, Partner Party, the River S Auto Tour will be open, Sandhill Crane Tours, Photo Contest Winners, and much more!
The Refuge will be fee-free, and seasonal trails will be open for an extra weekend! Stay tuned as more details are added throughout the summer.
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BirdFest & Bluegrass 2023
American Kestrel Buttons
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Purchase a 2023 commemorative buttonfeaturing the 2023 Bird of the Year, the American Kestrel! Find them right now for $5.00- at:
With this button you can remind yourself of our event, and support it into perpetuity!
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Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge 2023 Photo Contest!
Sponsored by Pro Photo Supply & The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Submit your favorite photos taken within the boundaries of Ridgefield Refuge to our four categories, as well as a youth category, for a chance to win prizes from Pro Photo Supply and Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge!
Submissions due Sept. 10th, 2023
CATEGORIES:
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BIRDS – Birds and waterfowl in their natural habitat. NOTE: No images of Great Horned Owls will be accepted during this year’s contest.
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WILDLIFE – Any wildlife other than birds – mammals, amphibians, fish, insects, reptiles, and invertebrates in their natural habitat.
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PLANT LIFE – Trees, grasses, flowers, fungi, mushrooms, and other flora in their natural habitat.
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LANDSCAPE & STRUCTURES – The refuge contains a mosaic of scenic views, including iconic structures such as the Cathlapotle Plankhouse.
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YOUTH – Open to photographers aged 10-17 and in grades 5-12 generally.
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Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events
Gate times for both units: 5:30 am - 9:00 pm
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Refuge Waterfowl Hunt Program starts Saturday, October 14th
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge strives to offer a waterfowl hunting program where participants of all abilities can enjoy a variety of safe and quality experiences. Staff work with partners and the local community to make hunting more inclusive and accessible to all, balance hunt program needs with other public uses, and reduce impacts to nontarget species. As a result of participating in the waterfowl hunting program, hunters can gain a better appreciation of the refuge’s mission and its resource management.
Hunting at Ridgefield NWR occurs on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays during the state regulated season, October through January. Various blind options are offered in 760 acres of land adjacent to, but separate from other public use areas. Options include pit and box blinds and two accessible blinds for hunters with disabilities.
Hunters can enter a pre-season lottery system held in August to obtain reservations for priority check in. Reservations are not required to attend as a stand-by hunter to occupy remaining blinds.
Duck Stamp Now Available at the Refuge Office
The Duck Stamp, required to hunt waterfowl on Federal land, contributes to the conservation of thousands of acres of land annually. Much of Ridgefield and other local refuges were purchased with Duck Stamp funds. Anyone can buy a duck stamp and contribute to acquiring land for conservation. It is also a beautiful work of art and collectors item! Purchase them in the office M-F, 8-4 with cash or check for $25 dollars.
-Josie Finley, USFWS Ridgefield Refuge Complex Visitor Services Manager
image of Duck Decoys by USFWS Juliette Fernandez
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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.
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From the Contact Station
Under the Cottonwood Trees
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Another hot and dry summer.But not as hot and dry as some places.In the last couple of weeks, the grass has been mowed and baled.We have hopes for the harriers and kestrels to return to the area with better access to prey. I’ve been checking the tops of the hay bales from the back of the contact station for a perched hawk or two.
You may have noticed several volunteers are bringing in their favorite outdoor chairs to sit on the contact station porch. Facing north and surrounded by the cottonwood trees, the North-northwest breezes keep us cooler in summer. It also turns out to be a very pleasant way to do wildlife viewing, feeder watching, and chatting with...Keep reading...
-Susan Setterberg, Contact Station Volunteer
image - View behind the contact station mid-July, before haying started by Susan Setterberg
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From the Friends
Goodbye Keith Rutz
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Anyone who has followed our work for the last almost eight years has probably heard of Keith, or worked with him. Keith has left the Friends officially, as of the end of July 2023, in order to move on to other opportunities. We wish him well in his future endeavors.
If you were working with Keith and haven't been contacted by a Refuge Staff Member, let us know.
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Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here.
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Ridgefield First Saturdays
Day of Festivals
August 5, 2023
Learn about how your City works at City Days, watch Dragon Boat Races at the Paddle For Life Races, and attend the second annual RAA Ridgefield Forrest Fair!
Saturday, August 5 is a day of festivals in Ridgefield – check out each location’s information below!
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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:
August 8th
September 11th (Virtual)
October 10th*
November 13th (Virtual)
December 11th
(*moved due to federal holiday)
(**Moved by Board)
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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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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: Oca Hoeflein, 2018, 2nd place Landscape Category, Refuge Photo Contest |
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Want regular updates on Refuge events & happenings? Follow the Friends on social media by clicking the logos below to stay connected even when you are off the Refuge.
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