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Gerald Williams
June 30, 1945 ~ January 3, 2019
 The Board and Staff of the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge regret to inform you all that past Board Member Gerald (Gerry) Williams passed away on January 3rd of this year.
Gerry applied to be a board member of the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in the summer of 2013. Gerry didn’t volunteer his time lightly, as he noted in the letter of interest he submitted when he applied, having only been on one other board before choosing to join us. He loved taking photos at the Refuge and attending the many presentations and events that we held, both before and after his time on the board.
Many of us think fondly of Gerry as we process the news. He was a major part in the hiring committee for many Friends employees, he helped with events like BirdFest & Bluegrass by tabling our information booth, and he always had a new incredible photo to share with us at board meetings and when we ran into him on the Refuge.
Gerry was a quiet man when it came to our work, but that didn’t hide his vast knowledge of our Refuge and the history of our area. With a background as the National/Chief Historian and the Regional Sociologist for the Forest Service in the Portland area, and Research Director for Eugene Parks and Recreation (to name just a few of the many titles he held), he spent much of his life focused on the history, assessment, and implementation of public land management.
The board would like to express our deepest sorrow for Gerry’s departure and convey our condolence to his family. The board would also like to express our sincere appreciation for Gerry’s tremendous and valuable contribution to the Friends over the years. Gerry will be long remembered by his fellow directors, the staff, and volunteers of the Refuge.
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of the Wild Award. The inaugural award was given to the City of Ridgefield for their long term partnership and outstanding support of the Friends and the Refuge over the years. The projects, programming, and events that the City has supported make up a very long list. A few examples include, the City providing ongoing counseling and support in the structural development of our organization, serving as a conduit between our smaller community of organizations and City-based organizations (First Saturdays, Chamber of Commerce, Arts Association, Main Street), always inviting and welcoming the Friends into their events, and serving as an outstanding partner in our BirdFest and Bluegrass festival (particularly over the last few years - largely taking over the in-town events and helping to create a wonderful festival for all ages and interests. Lee Knottnerus, the Deputy City Manager, and Sandra Day, City Council Member, attend every board meeting and are advisors to the organization. Lee also sits on the BirdFest committee and the Community Nature Center committee, and Sandra has adopted part of the I-5 highway near the Ridgefield exit in the name of the Friends! As if to solidify it all, our founding Friends members, Sydney Reisbick, Allene Wodage, Jim Maul, Amy Montoya, and David Dines are recognized at Overlook Park in the Wings of the World statue by Sharon Agnor. The City’s support of the Friends and the Refuge is unparalleled, and we are very grateful for their partnership. 
Thursday, February 7th, for road grading. 
We are rescheduling events post-shutdown and we will have our first 2019 volunteer work party at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge on FFebruary 6th (meet at Hunt Gate parking lot)! A new schedule of upcoming volunteer opportunities coming soon!
One of the things I hear the volunteers say they get asked the most (well, besides if a Nutria was a beaver or muskrat) is the difference between a mink and a weasel. American Mink, which have been seen by a lucky few on our Refuge, have soft, thick, waterproof fur that is dark brown to almost black- with white patches on their neck and... 
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. 
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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