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The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
The latest updates | December, 2021
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From the Friends
Seeking Additional Board Members!
Friends board members are wildlife advocates, community connectors, and stewards of the Friends’ twenty-plus year legacy in Ridgefield and Clark County. The passion and skills they bring to the table are invaluable.
The Friends have been fortunate over the years to have a committed group of board members to keep things running on the ground while also keeping an eye on the horizon and steering us forward.
Board members meet monthly (currently via Zoom) and they have the opportunity to participate in committees like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Birdfest, and other planning committees.
Are you interested in joining us in this work? You can find out more about board membership by reaching out to the Friends today!
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-Anna Wilde, Friends of RNWR Executive Director
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Giving Tuesday 2021 - Thank you! |
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Friends and our partner organizations during this year’s Giving Tuesday event! This year’s motto was “Everyone has something to give, and every act of generosity counts.” Thank you for keeping the spirit of giving and gratitude strong in our community!
On behalf of all of the Friends Staff & Board
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2022 Calendars & Holiday Shopping |
It's that time of year again! Check out the 2021 Refuge Photo Contest winning images in this spectacular collection. Our 2022 calendar not only features the winning images along with their photographer's name and place, but also includes fun facts about the subjects of each photo, important Refuge-related holidays, and more!
Support wildlife, nature, and education, with the one gift that keeps on giving.
Available in regular 8.5x11 and XL 11x14 sizes!
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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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Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events
Gate Times for Both Units: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
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Don't forget that 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, like the Steigerwald Lake reconnection project, Carty Unit Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail developments, and more!
To feel more connected to nature and the Refuge while staying home, stay tuned to the Friends Social Media streams on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram - we are working to share activities, videos of nature on and off the Refuge, and more. Social links can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.
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From the Contact Station
Big Birds Abound
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The swans are back in good numbers. A few arrived in late October, but the bulk of them came in during November. Both Tundra and Trumpeter species have been sighted now. With all the ponds quite full, they are finding their favorite areas to feed so they are nicely distributed around the auto tour. There is a nice selection of ducks also. Eagles are beginning to pair and check out last year’s nests to begin rebuilding... keep Reading...
-Susan Setterberg, Contact Station Volunteer
-Photo by Susan Setterberg, of a Bald Eagle
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Cathlapotle Plankhouse Updates & Events
Wintertime Work
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łaxayam all,
As winter makes its way across the landscape and we find ourselves well into the rainy season of the great Pacific Northwest my duties turn to the physical care of the Cathlapotle Plankhouse and the Collections. Did you know that across the Pacific Northwest cedar plankhouses are regarded as Elders and members of the Indigenous community?
One of the most important ways that we feed and care for the House is through regular hearth fires. In the coming winter months, you may catch smoke floating up from the roof vents as we care for this important community member. Don’t be alarmed. Physically the fires dry out the structure and culturally the fires feed this valued person.
While we ask that you give our fire tenders the space to conduct the cultural care of the Plankhouse uninterrupted, we do encourage you to take in the art and construction of the House.
Additionally, don’t forget the Plankhouse is included in the Landscape Category of our annual BirdFest & Bluegrass photography contest that starts in the spring. There is still much to experience outside of the Plankhouse, including one of our local Eagles paying regular visits to the Oaks at the west-end of the House.
We encourage you to build your own connection with the House during its usual seasonal closure and let us know what your hopes are for the coming spring.
Alqui,
-Juliet McGraw, Friends of RNWR Community & Cultural Education Director
-image: Jim Maul, Cathlapotle Plankhouse in the snow, Landscape Honorable Mention, 2021 Refuge Photo Contest
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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. RNWR Page here.
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Habitat Restoration Updates & Events
Weed of the Month - Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
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A big part of moving from fall into winter for the habitat program is prepping for the spring. Treating or removing multiyear invasive plant species before their reproductive stage saves the program time and reduces herbicide usage. Many of our invasive species spend their first year as rosettes, or stay active through the winter, making them easier to locate and identify. Late fall/early winter is also a good time to break out the propane torch as an alternative to herbicide, or digging, for those pesky multiyear species. Over the next few months I'll share treatment approaches to some of our common invasive species that we target through the colder wetter months starting with common mullein. Mullein exploded in the oak restoration area post-logging and is easily spread by the tracks of equipment. If you find a plant or two in your yard take a look at its medicinal uses and see if it is something you could utilize, just know that if there is bare disturbed ground anywhere around the mullein plant will find it and in a short period will become the dominant species.
-Keith Rutz, Friends of RNWR Habitat Restoration Coordinator
Photo caption: Common Mullein
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Refuge Volunteering
Thankful
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The resilience of our volunteers over the last couple of years has been inspiring and heartwarming. We have been through some tough times and the refuge has been continuously supported by volunteers in our community. We have been able to lean on them for support when we have needed it most and life would have been much harder without their generosity. I look forward to the day we can invite those that have not been able to volunteer with the refuge and welcome them to our team!
-Elena Tinoco, FRNWR Volunteer Coordinator
image description: Volunteers take a warming break with Elena Tinoco and Keith Rutz, Dec 2019
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Annual Member Meeting Save the Date! |
Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 29th for our Annual Membership and Volunteer Appreciation Meeting!
Stay tuned for more details, coming soon!
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Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here.
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Ridgefield First Saturdays -
Hometown Celebration
December 4, 2021
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Celebrate the Holiday season in the Ridgefield tradition with Hometown Celebration!
This is also your chance to vote on your favorite decorated Christmas Tree! Find the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge tree in Overlook Park, starting at 9 AM!
Photo Credit: Chris Bidleman Photography
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Species Spotlight
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
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Winter, as many know, can be one of the best times not only to see a variety of waterfowl like ducks out in the open- but to also see those ducks in their most brilliant plumage. Wintering waterfowl often have gaudy breeding plumage, which serves to attract prospective mates. Northern Pintail are among these dapper flyers, and can be identified this time of year by...keep reading...
-Samantha Zeiner, Friends of RNWR Administrative Coordinator
-Photo by Angie Vogel
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Gorge Refuge Updates
Fall is for Antlers & More
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During the fall we often talk about migrating birds, the leaves changing colors and the caching of acorns by Scrub jays and other animals, however, fall is also for numerous antlered species, including Columbian White-tailed deer (CWTD) and Roosevelt elk both of which call our Refuge Complex home.
Most of you may know that CWTD are present at Ridgefield NWR now after... keep reading...
-Mesha Wood, USFWS Park Ranger
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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 educational and cultural programs of the Ridgefield NWR, and 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 5pm every second Monday of the month and will be on Zoom until further notice, contact us to join in!
December 13th, 2021
2022: January 10th, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 2, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, October 17, November 14, December 12
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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. |
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!
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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 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 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: Raul Moreno, 2017, 2nd place, 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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