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image credit: Sandra Michaelis, 2018, 2nd place Plant Life Category, Pro Photo Supply Refuge Photo Contest
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The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
The latest updates | March 2024
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Refuge Open Hours: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm*
*Note- Open hours change rapidly this time of year, make sure to check the USFWS website before heading out.
You can enter both units of the RNWR by either paying an Entrance Fee, or using an eligible Entrance Pass.
Entrance Fee Options:
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Pay Daily Entrance Fee - cash or check only.
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$3.00 daily per vehicle, or up to four adults on foot.
- Purchase An Annual Refuge Pass.
- $15.00 for an Annual Ridgefield NWR pass
- Become a Friends Member at $60 or above.
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Join here! Opt-in after joining, and an Annual Refuge Pass will be mailed to you.
Entrance Pass Options:
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Use your Federal Lands Pass. Check HERE to see the list of eligible passes.
- Note: WA State Discover Passes are *not valid for entry.
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View all details about fees & passes here.
The Ridgefield NWR Administration Office is open weekdays, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Please call ahead to check for staff availability. General inquiries M-F, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, may be answered at 360-887-4106.
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Ridgefield Complex News & Events |
Interested in Volunteering?
There are just a few spots left in the two planned volunteer Orientations in March. Register by emailing RidgefieldVolunteer@FWS.gov, or scan the code on the digital flyer to the right!
Those with herbicide spraying and plant ID skills are the priority for the habitat program right now.
The Refuge needs administrative help; that includes working the front desk, helping with outreach, or just generally being a helping hand. If that sounds interesting to you, whether to learn something new or to help, they want you!
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Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Annual Member & Volunteer Appreciation Meeting
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RSVP by March 4, 2024!
Click the green button below to RSVP for our Annual Membership & Volunteer Appreciation Meeting on March 11!
The Board and Staff of the Friends of Ridgefield NWR look forward to seeing you there, and celebrating our collective efforts!
Annual Membership & Volunteer Appreciation Meeting
When: Monday, March 11, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm
Where: Old Liberty Theater - 115 N Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642
The evening will include the annual Spirit of the Wild Award, the Friends Annual Report & business, Refuge news, raffle, snacks, and more.
*Extended deadline: RSVP 'YES' BY March 4, 2024*
*The membership and donation forms have been combined, but once you start, you will see membership options to choose from.
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From the Contact Station
A Lesson from a Young Bird
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In about a year, I will be able to say I have been birding or have been a birder for fifty years. My interest in birds came earlier than that. One of my friends in my college biology class was a birder and was always talking about wonderful birds he had seen. We called him Hawk. So, I took an ornithology class in the spring of 1975. It has been a tremendous learning experience ever since.
Everywhere I go, I bird. I have gone down the block and around the world to bird. I live in Ridgefield to be near a national wildlife refuge where I can bird. I consider myself a good birder, but not an exceptional birder. I am still learning. The last few weeks have provided an exceptional learning experience. We have had a large and overall dark eagle flying around the refuge for about a month. I’ve run into several friends who have mentioned spotting an eagle that looked like a Golden Eagle. I had seen it too and that was also my thought. ...Keep reading...
-Susan Setterberg, Contact Station Volunteer
photo by Susan Setterberg
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Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here.
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Ridgefield First Saturdays
Arts Month Kickoff and Color Run
March 2, 2024
Kick off Ridgefield Youth Arts Month with a Color Run in Downtown Ridgefield!
Head to Overlook Park for Color Run festivities from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
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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? Or maybe you would like to get some supplies at Shovel & Thumb or Backyard Bird Shop? How about a night out at ilani?
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Benefits of Friends Membership |
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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Help Wildlife with your Everyday Purchases |
Let your pocket change work for you, and make a difference for nature, like helping to keep wildlife wild.
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Head to RidgefieldFriends.org, then click the green "Donate" button on bottom-left of any page.
- Activate any card you use for your daily purchases.
- Set your monthly giving limit. Change it any time.
- Every purchase you make with your designated card will be automatically rounded up, and the proceeds donated directly to the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in support of the Refuge’s programs.
It's that easy!
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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's easy to sign up. Just click here. Or search, Friends of Ridgefield NWR #PK822
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View the 2023 Pro Photo Supply Ridgefield NWR Photo Contest Winning images on tote bags, sweatshirts, t-shirts, a variety of mug styles, and photo cards!
Chinookan Steller's Jay design, as well as BirdFest & Bluegrass button art, also available!
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Psst...if you love a good
jigsaw puzzle...
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Join the Friends of Ridgefield NWR Board for their monthly meeting. Meetings start at 5:00 PM every second Monday of the month and will be virtual through the winter. Contact us to join in!
Board Meeting Dates:
April 8
May 13
June 10
July 8
August 12
September 9
October 15*
November 11
December 9
(*moved due to federal holiday or special circumstance)
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Board Seeking New Members
Or, Join a Committee
We are always 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). Find out more, and contact us here
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Become a Business Alliance Member
As a member of the Friends of the RNWR Business Alliance, you invest in one of our urban metropolitan area’s most unique and diverse natural and cultural resources. Find out more
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Business Alliance Members: |
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Granting Organizations & Partners: |
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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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