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The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
The latest updates | September, 2023
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New Refuge Round-Up Giving Program! |
We've made it even easier for you to support our mission - donate your spare change with your everyday purchases by joining our new Round-Up Program. You set and control how much you want to give each month, and every time you make a purchase, we'll automatically round up that purchase to help support wildlife, and invest in our community's access to nature with the future Community Nature Center. It's small change for you, but a game changer for us.
The time for back-to-school shopping is perfect for getting started- purchases that support your students can also protect wildlife for generations to come.
It's pretty simple, and once you set it up recurring monthly, you don't have to think about it again.
- Head to any page of our website and click the green "Donate" button in the bottom left.
- Activate any card you use for regular purchases in order to turn even the smallest purchase into big change.
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Set your monthly giving and control how much change you want to give each month, and you can adjust it any time you want (if you create a password).
- Make a difference with every swipe! Every purchase on your card will be automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar and donated directly to the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
It's that easy!
Depending on your card, you may be asked to create an account in order to link your card by logging in with your financial institution's credentials. Have your login info ready.
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image by Wendy Temko (edited to add tiny backpacks)
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Walk for the Wild 2023
October 7, 2023
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We're on a mission to empower wildlife and humans to thrive. The challenge is to get people moving a distance of 5K in nature and to raise funds to support the future Community Nature Center at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
What is 'Walk for the Wild'?
Walk for the Wild is a national event to get people moving in support of their local national wildlife refuge. Funds raised from this event will directly support wildlife conservation, nature trails, and environmental education in our community through a new Community Nature Center.
Sign up to walk today and support the National Wildlife Refuge System. A portion of your donation will be matched by national supporters of Walk for the Wild and the Public Lands Alliance.
When: Saturday, October 7, 2023, 11:00 AM
Where: Overlook Park to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge's Carty Unit
We will be offering a kick-off walk during BirdFest & Bluegrass, Saturday, October 7, starting at Overlook Park- on a fall Pacific Northwest morning- who could ask for more? If you can't make the group walk on Saturday, you can get your miles in any time during National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 7-14, and submit them to support our team.
To get started: Click “Join Our Team” below to learn more, sign up to participate in our event and/or walk virtually, or donate.
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BirdFest & Bluegrass 2023
October 7, 2023
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In 2023, The City of Ridgefield will be hosting in-person events downtown, including a vendor marketplace, music, family crafts, orienteering, and more. A kick-off to Walk for the Wild will also take place from downtown to the Refuge.
The Friends will have a self-guided Carty Unit Refuge hike, there will be wandering trail stewards to answer questions, Carty Unit hourly walks and talks, Partner Party, the River S Auto Tour will be open, Sandhill Crane Tours, Photo Contest Winners, and much more!
The Refuge will be fee-free, and seasonal trails will be open for an extra weekend! Stay tuned as more details are added throughout the summer.
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BirdFest & Bluegrass 2023
American Kestrel Buttons
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Purchase a 2023 commemorative button, featuring the 2023 Bird of the Year, the American Kestrel! Find them right now for $5.00 at:
With this button you can remind yourself of our event, and support it into perpetuity!
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Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge 2023 Photo Contest!
Sponsored by Pro Photo Supply & The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Submit your favorite photos taken within the boundaries of Ridgefield Refuge to our four categories, as well as a youth category, for a chance to win prizes from Pro Photo Supply and Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge!
Submissions due Sept. 10, 2023
CATEGORIES:
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BIRDS – Birds and waterfowl in their natural habitat. NOTE: No images of Great Horned Owls will be accepted during this year’s contest.
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WILDLIFE – Any wildlife other than birds – mammals, amphibians, fish, insects, reptiles, and invertebrates in their natural habitat.
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PLANT LIFE – Trees, grasses, flowers, fungi, mushrooms, and other flora in their natural habitat.
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LANDSCAPE & STRUCTURES – The refuge contains a mosaic of scenic views, including iconic structures such as the Cathlapotle Plankhouse.
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YOUTH – Open to photographers aged 10-17 and in grades 5-12 generally.
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Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events
Gate times for both units: 6:00 am - 8:30 pm
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Notable Moments from August
We sadly said goodbye to both the NYC Rainbow Crew and the Youth Conservation Crew on the 18th of August . For 8 weeks they bravely took on mosquitoes, heat, and whatever else came at them as they worked to make trails safe, habitat healthy, and the overall experiences for all at our Refuges a wonderful one. They taught us, learned from us, and created lasting friendships and memories. We are so thankful for the opportunity to have these crews and hope to be able to continue to support youth employment in the future!
-Josie Finley, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Manager
image: YCC crew with leader, Alyssa Jayne Mayor (left)
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The Carty Unit Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail, within the Oak Restoration area, may close occasionally for trail maintenance, watch for signs.
General inquiries M-F, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm 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.
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From the Contact Station
Miracles and Mysteries
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We didn't believe it at first. One Friday morning in late June volunteer Brent was told by a birder that they had seen crane colts, but no photos. He passed on the information to me. We both thought that was unlikely; the Kiwa had been reopened, the cranes had moved off and there was no further observed nesting activity. Later that day, another visitor stopped to chat. Beth mentioned in passing that they had seen two baby Sandhill Cranes ...Keep reading...
-Susan Setterberg, Contact Station Volunteer
image - First documented sighting of the crane family with two colts on Ruddy Lake
June 25, 2023, Photo by Rick Jordan
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Join Ridgefield Lights Out for Migration |
Every year, at least a billion birds migrate along the Pacific Flyway, the majority navigating with the night sky. As they pass over cities on their way, they can become disoriented by skyglow and artificial lights causing them to collide with buildings or windows. While lights can throw birds off their migration paths, fatalities are more directly caused by the amount of energy wasted flying around in confusion. The exhaustion can then leave them vulnerable. Join the effort to provide safe passage for birds and other nocturnal migrants.
You can help by doing the following and asking your community businesses to do the same:
- Use fully shielded fixtures for outdoor lighting so light shines down, not up.
- Install timers and dimmer switches. Turn off lights when not in use. For security lighting, use motion sensors.
- Turn off decorative landscape lighting.
- Use lighting with color temperature of 3000K or below.
- Turn off interior lighting especially on higher stories or close curtains/blinds.
It is particularly important to take these measures between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am when most night migrants are flying.
In addition to helping birds and other migratory species, these efforts have the additional benefits of reducing energy usage and saving money.
Explore nightly migration data of the Pacific Flyway and other regions on birdcast.net
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Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here.
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Ridgefield First Saturdays
Multicultural Festival
September 2, 2023
Come celebrate our diverse community at the 6th annual Multicultural Festival!
The 2023 Multicultural Festival will include performances, crafts and activities, First Saturday and Farmers Market vendors, and more! Stay tuned as we near the event for the schedule and additional details.
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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, 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 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:
September 11th (Virtual)
October 10th*
November 13th (Virtual)
December 11th
(*moved due to federal holiday)
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2022/2023 Merch Updates
NEW Puzzles!, merch featuring contest winners, BirdFest & Bluegrass button images, Chinookan Steller's Jay art by Greg Robinson, and more!
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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!
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!
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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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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?
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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: Gary Grossman, 2018, 1st place Landscape Category, Refuge Photo Contest |
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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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