You are receiving this email because you are either a member or signed up for our mailing list.
|
|
The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
The latest updates | January, 2023
|
|
Thank you 2022 Members & Donors! |
|
|
|
Annual Member & Volunteer Appreciation Meeting |
The Board and Staff of the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge would like to formally invite you to our Annual Membership & Volunteer Appreciation Meeting, in person once again!
3:00 PM
Old Liberty Theater
115 N Main Ave
Ridgefield, WA 98642
RSVP to join us and check in with the Friend's and Refuge's accomplishments from 2022, and plans for 2023!
The agenda will include a drumming intro from Sam Robinson, as well as a welcome by Tanna Engdahl, Annual Report, and more. We will also be awarding our Annual Spirit of the Wild Award to a local that cares about the Friends and the Refuge. Snacks will be provided, as well as a ticket for your first drink from the coffee shop. There will be time for socializing after the presentation.
RSVP by January 25th
|
|
|
|
Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events
Gate times for both units: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
*Gate times to change to 8:00 am - 5:00 pm on Monday, 1/9/23*
|
Happy New Year from your Refuge Staff!
Our New Year’s Resolutions each year come in the form of an Annual Work Plan. This process allows us to sit together and strategically plan creative and collaborative ways to organize ourselves for and with the community. The Visitor Services team for the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex is made up of three US Fish and Wildlife Service Staff and a staff person each from the Friends of Ridgefield and the Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards. Together we aim to do the following this year.
Engage volunteers in impactful and inclusive projects born from real conservation and community needs while increasing relevancy, inspiring action, and creating skill-building opportunities. Stay tuned this spring for the announcement of new volunteer orientation dates that will be offered multiple times throughout the year.
Engage communities in accessible ways by reducing barriers to participation, increasing awareness, and building trust. Communication, program, and facility improvements are being planned for this year and beyond to balance human and wildlife needs while offering the wildlife-dependent recreation experience that refuges uniquely offer.
Engage youth by providing meaningful projects that build life skills and job experiences while maintaining relevance with and through the community. Some of the opportunities to look out for include the Every Kid Outdoor pass program in schools and field trips through our partner organizations; youth employment through the Northwest Service Corps, Student Conservation Association, and the Youth Conservation Corps; and the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest due in February that the Ridgefield NWR Complex now has the honor of administering in the State of Washington. See more details on our website.
We look forward to sharing our progress on how we are working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
-Josie Finley, Visitor Services Manager, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex
|
The Carty Unit Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail, within the Oak Restoration area, is generally closed Thursdays 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
|
|
|
|
From the Contact Station
Winter is here.
|
You may not have known because no one was out and about over the Christmas weekend given the icing of everything, but the auto tour was closed for a few days. Winter landed with a big bang. A big thank you goes to FWS staff Eric and Chad who cleared downed trees and debris from the refuge roads after our ice out and high winds.
Fortunately, before the storm, we had our Christmas Bird Count (CBC) which includes all the Refuge and then some. Terry Anderson has been doing the River S section of the Refuge for the CBC for several years now. Her big surprise on December 19th was counting 786 Green-winged Teal. Wow! Anyone who visited at that time would have noticed a lot of them around. Green-winged Teals typically feed in shallow water, near shorelines, and on mudflats. Given many of our ...keep reading...
-Susan Setterberg, Contact Station Volunteer
image: Red-Shouldered Hawk by Terry Anderson
|
|
|
|
2022/2023 Merch Updates
2023 Photo Contest Calendar, NEW Puzzles!, merch featuring contest winners, BirdFest & Bluegrass button images, Chinookan Steller's Jay art by Greg Robinson, and more!
|
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!
The Friends are offering, for the first time ever, Refuge Photo Contest puzzles! We picked just a few images for these 500-piece puzzles, available online only, as another way that people can purchase and enjoy these amazing images.
(not the same link as the calendar)
|
2023 calendars are still available! They not only feature the winning images of our 2022 Refuge Photo Contest along with their photographer's name and place, but also include fun facts about the subjects of each photo, important Refuge-related holidays, and more. Support wildlife, nature, and education with one purchase that keeps on giving.
Available in 8.5x11, XL 11x14, and Jumbo 12x12 sizes as well as PDF download. Get yours now!
|
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!
If there isn't something you like, you can always donate, or buy a membership to the Friends, for yourself or in someone's name - an annual gift program that supports wildlife, habitat, volunteers, education, and more.
|
|
|
|
 |
Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here.
|
|
|
|
Ridgefield First Saturdays
Rest & Recharge
January, 2023
Take the month to recharge for the new year. Stop by the event page and our Ridgefield First Saturdays Facebook page for some tips and tricks to successfully rest your brain and body!
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
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).
|
|
|
|
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:
January 9th (in-person early session @4pm)
Annual Member & Volunteer Appreciation Meeting, Jan. 28th
February 13th
March 13th
April 10th
May 8th
June 12th
July 10th
August 14th
September 11th
October 10th*
November 13th
December 11th
(*moved due to federal holiday)
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
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. |
|
|
|
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?
|
|
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. |
|
Business Alliance Members: |
|
|
Granting Organizations & Partners: |
|
Header Photo Credit: Raul Moreno, 2017, 1st place Adult category, Refuge Photo Contest |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
