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The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
The latest updates | June, 2021
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From the Friends
Dream Big!
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I’ve been hearing a lot lately about how it’s (finally) time to start re-imagining life post-pandemic. What will our routines look like? How will things be different? And what have we learned during this time that can be carried into our future plans? It’s a lot to think about, but exciting at the same time.
The Friends are doing this kind of planning too, and so is the Refuge. Many of us, as well as other community members, have had the chance to weigh in on plans for the Community Nature Center (different from the administration building currently under construction). Many members who have been part of this organization longer than I have will remember this center as a long-term goal of the Friends. Thanks to the efforts of Refuge staff, this dream is closer than ever to becoming reality!
During community meetings on this topic, participants have been encouraged to “dream big”. What could the center include? What do community members want? Some of the ideas have been truly grandiose, but that is the point. It’s time to dream big.
Please stay tuned for updates on this and other projects, and thank you, as always, for your support.
-Anna Wilde, Interim Executive Director
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Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events |
CARTY UNIT ENTRANCE CLOSURE: Headquarters construction near the Main Ave. entrance will require a closure of the main Carty Unit entrance and parking lot from May 24-June 7 (including weekends!)
The Carty Lake Port entrance will remain an access point, but anyone entering at the port must also leave from the port (since all of HQ will be closed).
Gate times for both units: 6:00AM – 8:30PM
SEASONAL TRAIL UPDATES:
The Carty Lake Carty Unit Entrance trail opens May 1st
Don't forget that the Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail, within the Oak Restoration area, is closed Thursdays for trail maintenance.
The Kiwa Trail opening is postponed until further notice due to a Sandhill Crane nesting attempt - a colt (or baby crane) was spotted with the adults! So for now the trial will remain closed. We will share all updates on our social media accounts as well as in this monthly newsletter.
The previously postponed fee program was restored on March 1st, 2021. See information below on the fee structure and valid passes.
The Refuge is not able to sell passes out of the office, but you can pay for them at the fee station. For more information about National Access passes and how to acquire those please visit store.USGS.gov/recreational-passes. A list of passes you can use at this site is also linked here. Or Become a Member of the Friends and choose any level over $60 to receive a pass as part of your membership (optional, please check the box)!
NOTE: The Washington State Discover Pass is not valid on Federally managed public lands, including National Wildlife Refuges.
Don’t forget to continue to 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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2021 Refuge Photo Contest |
Keep an eye out in your email and on our website and social media channels for the launch of the 2021 Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest! Starting June 21st through September 10th! Find out the winners during BirdFest & Bluegrass 2021, Saturday, October 2nd!
If you know anyone who would be interested or able to enter this contest (photos taken at Ridgefield only) share it with them, or have them sign up for our newsletter to get the info themselves!
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From the Contact Station
Loving Spring
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When a friend called me yesterday (May 20) and asked if I wanted to do a round on the River S, it was a quick yes from me. There was a promise of afternoon showers, but I love to be there when that happens. Usually, there are less people, the air becomes even fresher, and the sun breaks can be dazzling. It also helps keep the dust down on the road, a definite plus.
There were several groups of Columbia White-tailed Deer along the road and several Brush Rabbits popping in and out...Keep Reading...
- Susan Setterberg, Contact Station Volunteer
- Photo by Fred Kerr, 2017 Refuge Photo Contest Honorable Mention
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Cathlapotle Plankhouse Updates & Events
Virtual Second Sunday Series in June
"Climate Change Through the TEK Lens
with Dr. Samantha Chisholm Hatfield"
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Join the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge virtually, Sunday, June 13th, at 11 AM, for a deeper look into climate change with Dr. Samantha Chisholm Hatfield. Traditional Ecological Knowledge has always and continues to inform Indigenous Lifeways, specifically regarding interruptions in seasonal patterns. Honoring TEK practices can enrich and invigorate contemporary western climate change response and land management practice.
Start the day with trail tips and family activities, at 10 AM. Activity bags will be available to pick up ahead of time, First Saturdays of the month, at Seasons Coffee Shop in the Old Liberty Theater AND the Clark County Historical Museum booth in the Saturday Market area of Big Paddle (while supplies last). Family activity kits for June will include the items you need for a cordage-making activity, all inside a Color-it-Yourself canvas tote bag.
This month’s color-your-own canvas bag features the Lamprey. Lamprey or 'eel' is an important First Food for many Pacific Northwest Indigenous Peoples. Our special guest, Dr. Chisholm Hatfield comes from the Siletz Nation where eel is still valued today.
Our cultural craft this month is Cordage. Across the PNW a special braiding technique, unique to the region, was used in everything from fishing line to mat weaving to rope making.
Seasons Coffee Shop at the Old Liberty Theater is located in Historic Downtown Ridgefield. Stop by to get your activity bags, and pick up a coffee, or pastries and gifts! Gifts for sale inside the coffee shop are all local artists and authors, shop and support within our area!
EVENT: Sunday, June 13th, 2021, @ 10 & 11 AM, online!
Second Sundays in 2021 will be virtual and can be viewed on and after the event dates on the Friends Facebook and Youtube Channels.
ałqui,
-Juliet McGraw, Friends of RNWR Community & Cultural Education Director
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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
May 2021 Habitat Recap
May was definitely a busy month for the Habitat Restoration Program. Herbicide treatments on invasive plants around the Refuge are continuing with additional plants getting added to the list as they begin to pop up (such as Fragrant Water Lily). Our brush blade volunteer crew is back in full swing, and they have been helping with the removal of Himalayan Blackberry both up at Pierce NWR and the Carty Unit. Work in the Oaks to Wetlands trail area at the Carty Unit continues every Thursday, with closure of the trail to allow our staff a safe space for herbicide application and work parties. Invasive plant surveys and mapping has become a major priority for the staff, and initial wetland searches for Ricefield Bulrush (Class A aquatic invasive) have begun. We haven't seen any bulrush yet, but we are expecting the plants will appear here in the next few weeks - sparking the beginning of the bulrush season.
- Emily Lane, Friends of RNWR Habitat Restoration Technician
Picture caption - Bulrush Plant found in Middle Lake (River S Unit) in August of 2020.
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Volunteering at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Volunteering still on Hold
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We have a couple small groups of volunteers working around the complex but we are still planning to postpone onboarding new volunteers at this time. Once we are ready to bring you back safely it will be announced on our social media pages, enews, and email. If you are itching to get out of the house we have community partners like the Washington Trails Association and the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership which are some great places to stretch out your limbs and help improve our communities through nature conservation! I am looking forward to the day that we can welcome you back.
-Elena Tinoco, Friends of RNWR Volunteer Coordinator
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Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here.
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Ridgefield First Saturdays - Big Paddle
June 5, 2021
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Come to the waterfront for a paddle and a picnic! Our 2021 Big Paddle is going to look different than years past – please refer to the webpage for details.
And make sure to stop over and check out the Friends self-guided walk from the waterfront along the Carty Lake Trail to start adding up those miles for the 100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge!
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Species Spotlight
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
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Whether it’s “The Early Bird Gets the Worm” or the first sign of spring, American Robins are prolific all the way across North America, and are often observed pulling up worms in your very own backyards. They’re well known for their bird feeder visitations, and their very loud first-thing-in-the-morning calls that wake us up every spring. Just because we see them so much in urban areas, doesn’t mean that they aren’t found in forests and mountain areas as well. And although robins are...Keep Reading...
-Samantha Zeiner, Friends of RNWR Administrative Coordinator
-Photo by Susan Setterberg
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Friends Photo Contest Merchandise |
Check out our store items, with more being added all the time! We have mugs that change colors, tote bags, sweatshirts, and more, all featuring our 2019 and 2020 Refuge Photo Contest winning photos. 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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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!
June 14th, July 12th, August 9th, September 13th, October 18th (moved for Indigenous Peoples Day), November 8th, December 13th
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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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