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| The Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge | | The latest updates | January, 2018 |
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Thank you for your support and hours of volunteer work in 2018. We are very excited about 2019 and all the opportunities to protect endangered species and other wildlife, restore habitat, and engage people in nature! |
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Join us Saturday, January 26th, from 11am-1pm for our Annual Membership Meeting! Learn more and RSVP by clicking the invite below.  (Click to view larger or download) |
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Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events
Concerning the Government Shutdown
Due to the lapse in federal appropriations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is unable to fully staff the properties under its management. However, where public access to refuge lands does not require the presence of a federal employee or contractor, activities on refuge lands will be allowed to continue on the same terms as before the appropriations lapse, including any activities conducted under a previously issued permit (when required). Visitors are advised to use caution if choosing to enter units of the National Wildlife Refuge System, as most FWS personnel will not be available for the duration of the shutdown. Law enforcement personnel will remain on duty to provide emergency services and protect government property. However, any entry onto Refuge System property during this period of federal government shutdown is at the visitor’s sole risk. |
|  | | Thank you for visiting the Refuge and supporting conservation. If you have any questions regarding activities and regulations on the Refuge, call the office Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm at 360-887-4106. (Not open during the shutdown) |
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Thank you to all of our 2018 Supporters!
3 Peaks
Alder Creek Kayak
Sharon Agnor
Eddie Allen
Ansley Art
Marilyn Arnesen
Libby Adcock & Jack Bernhardsen
Jeanne Androvich
Backyard Bird Shop
Rollin Bannow
Bill & Kathy Baumann
Beck’s Original Woodworking
Robert Bernstein
Chris Bidleman
Barbara Bloomfield
Robin & Lyle Bradford
Ivan Brink
Rick Browne
Dan and Cindy Buell
Susan Calvert
Christopher Campbell
Laurie Campbell-Leslie
Canyon Creek Metal Works
Eugene Carroll
Kara Caselas
Marion Cassidy
CatFish Photography
Jane Chinn
Jim Clapp
David Collier
Columbia Credit Union
Community Foundation for SWWA - Laspa Family Fund
Barbara Comnes
Brian Connelly
Pat Corkill
Dennis & Pat Cox
Paul and Ivadell Crosby
Jason A. Crotty
Sandra Day
Paul & Bonnie Donavan
Ashley Dumbra
Kaye Duncan
Dan & Lisa Dunning
Daniel and Lin Dzurisin
Catherine Eastman
Pat & Ron Eastman
Tanna & Lynn Engdahl
Dale Estes
Andrew Ferguson
Tom Finn
Fire & Ice Concession
Bob Flores
Eric Foster
Anita Freyman-Danielsen
Garden Fever!
Richard Garrison
Heather Gramp
Michael Greenstreet
Jim Gola
Erinne Goodell
Mary Grout
Jan Haig
Bonnie Hankins
Richard Hannan
Irene Fisher & Craig Hansen
Dede & Ken Heath
| Barbara Hedges
Kristi Herron
Scott Hewitt
Dan and Rita Hill
Randy Hill
David Hills
Margaret Hirce
Barbara Howard
Scott & Cathy Hughes - Ridgefield Hardware
Bob & Phyllis Hyatt
Ilani Casino & Resort
Lorre Jaffe
Dennis Johnson
Patrick Kearney
Fred Kerr
Kevin Merchant Photography
Don & Helen Klopfenstein - In honor of their mother Vera
Gabriella Knott
Lee Knottnerus
Julie Koch
Barb Kusik
Kent C. Landerholm
Sandor William Lau
Madeleine von Laue
Gloria Lawrence
Nicholas T. Legg
Peter Lent
Mair Lewis
Beth Marlin Lichter
A. Virginia Lindley
Michelle Llaguno
Duane & Christina Lundeberg
Michelle Maani
Joe & Donna MacKenzie
Christine Maitland
Alan Malone
Marc Mathieu
Ursula McCabe
Twila and Mark McCombs
Aletha McGee
Juliet McGraw
Steven McLaughlin
McMenamin’s
Heather Memarian
Kenneth Meyer
John & Kay Meyers
Curt & Debbie Mohler
Annie Moorhead
Raul Moreno
Gwendolyn J. Morgan
MudSlinger’s Pottery
Nancy Newland
Nice Nests
NW Natural
Jim Nindel-Edwards
Elizabeth Oedell
Christine Olson
Barbara Ross
Leslie O’Rourke
Dorothy O’Very
Laura Pagano
Joe and Susie Palena
Patagonia
Marilyn Pitts
David Phelps
Plas Newydd Farm
Port of Ridgefield
Port of Vancouver
James Potter
Vikki Pynenburg
Steve Rauske
| Ryan Recht
Mary Regan
Kay Richardson
Ridgefield Floral & Gifts
Ridgefield Lions
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Fund - Community Foundation SWWA
Greg Robinson
Sam Robinson
Russ Roseberry
Barbara Ross
Jim & Darcy Rourk
The Recovery Village
Cory Samia
Mel Sanchez
Claudia & Mark Sanzone
Carin Schienberg
Maureen Schuette
Jason Schuit
Dean Schuler
Terri & Loren Schulte
Virginia Scott
Molly Seto
Susan Setterberg
Judy Sierra
Stephanie Shea
Carol Silva & Mary Cox
James Smith
Russel Smith
Shane Smith-Sanhow
Pat Snyder
Jill Spencer
Stephanie Stacker
Loran Starr
Gary Suda - Suda Bowls
Christina Swanson
Dave & Julie Tanner
Bob & Marsha Taylor
Kathy Tomei
Aschlie Moriah Town
Jane Tuck
Robert Vanderkamp
Henry VanWyhe
Janis VanWyhe
Lori and Richard Vollmer
Susan Wickersham
Simran Winkelstern
Jennifer Wolcott & Daniel Heinrichs
Karen Wood
Jeffrey Yellin
Tom and Lisa Zeiner
In Memory of Syndey Reisbick:
Jan Haig
Mrs. James Johnson
In Memory of Lance Wilson:
Enas H Wilson
In Honor of Greg Hranac:
Gary Blefgen & the USFWS Division of Engineering
In Memory of Mary Coleen
In honor of Randy Wuerfel |
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| From the Contact Station
Getting a Closer Look
At the beginning of the summer, the contact station volunteers, with permission from the FWS staff, brought in a seed feeder to hang in one of the cottonwoods by the station. We started with black oil sunflower seeds. It was a slow birding summer. Mostly we had visits from the California Scrub Jays. They have been frequent visitors for some time. Changing to a mix of seeds (the cheap kind) we started seeing...Keep Reading...
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Calling All Volunteers!
Volunteer Opportunities:
Habitat Restoration
Volunteers get to see the most beautiful places on the Refuge while helping to ensure that native wildlife have food and shelter. Summer work is focused on maintaining winter plantings and controlling invasive plants that threaten to take over habitat. Crews meet on most Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Contact Keith Rutz atKeit...@fws.govor 360-887-3883 x 14.
Refuge and Trail Greeters
Over 120,000 visitors flock to the Refuge annually to enjoy nature through participation in wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, cultural interpretation, hunting, and fishing. Volunteers help to make their experiences meaningful. Share your enthusiasm for nature and make the Refuge a welcoming place for people walking our trails, stopping at the Visitor Contact Station and driving the Auto Tour. Contact Josie Finley at josie_...@fws.gov or 360-887-4106 x 130. |
| Cathlapotle Plankhouse
The Cathlapotle Plankhouse draws thousands of visitors to the Refuge each year. Help share the legacy of the Indigenous people who have tended to this land since time immemorial as a Plankhouse Docent or Cultural Educator. Field trips take place during the weekdays. Docents staff the house on weekends from April - September. Contact Juliet McGraw at juliet...@fws.gov 360-887-4106 x 123.
Education
Help us inspire the next generation. Kids of all ages need hands-on learning and inspiration in the great outdoors as part of a well-rounded education. We need your help to make their visit to the Refuge fun and memorable. Field trips take place during the weekdays starting in April. Contact Josie Finley at josie_...@fws.gov or 360-887-4106 x 130.
Now you can sign up to volunteer easily on our website!
Check it out by clicking here! |
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2019 Refuge Photo Contest Calendars
There is still time to get your Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest 2019 Calendar! Check out the winners from the 2018 contest, learn about the subjects of the photos, and stay up-to-date on important events, volunteer opportunities, and more. Support volunteer programs like habitat restoration and educational programming, and host beautiful photos of wildlife and the Refuge in your home the whole year through. Just $18.00 for the standard heavyweight gloss 8.5×11 (opens to 11×17) calendar, or $23.00 for the XL 11×14 (opens to 14×22) size! Choose your own preferred binding color - and keep a little piece of the Refuge right in your own home. Shop online here! |
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Cathlapotle Plankhouse Updates & Events
This winter we are working hard on our second year of revitalizing our Cultural and Environmental Education Program. Refuge and Friends staff are focused on connecting the Since Time Immemorial (STI) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) curricula for in-classroom and on-site visits. The Cathlapotle Plankhouse Collections are being reviewed and updated to contemporary curatorial standards. Come see us in the spring and check out some of the display changes in the Plankhouse. Stay tuned for updates on dates, Second Sunday themes, and more!
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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. |
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Habitat Restoration Updates & Events
Thank you to the volunteers who braved the weather in December to come out and help us clear and plant around the Ash trees for improved deer habitat. Right now we are currently focused on clearing and seeding under our mature Ash trees on the River ‘S’ Unit, and removal of beaver fencing at the Carty Unit at Ridgefield NWR. In mid-January through March the priority will be planting 700 shrubs at Pierce NWR and 350-400 trees and shrubs at Ridgefield NWR. These work parties will be Wednesdays at Ridgefield from 9:00am-12:00 pm, and Saturdays at Pierce NWR with shifts at 8:30am-12:00pm and 12:00pm-4:00pm (limit 12 volunteers for Saturday crews, sign-up required) until everything is planted. Note: The Pierce work party dates have their own sign up - please sign up in advance. Get Started here.
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Wednesdays at Ridgefield NWR-
January: 9, 16, 23
February: 6, 13, 20
Saturdays at Pierce NWR (Shifts: 8:30-12:00 & 12:00-4:00; limit 12, sign-up required)-
January: 12, 19
February: 9, 16, 23
** Please note: if the government shutdown is still in effect, work parties will not take place.
Now you can sign up to volunteer on our website!
Check it out by clicking here!
General Habitat Questions? Contact Keith Rutz |
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| Ridgefield First Saturday: Lazy Dayz
Saturday, January 5, 2019 9am-4pm
The Ridgefield Community Center will be transformed into a cozy living room theater. Bring a blanket, pillow and get comfortable. Or, buy a used book for $1 and settle in to read. Chair Massage, Cider Remedy Class, and prize drawings around town.
Check out the full schedule here! |
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Species Spotlight
Rough-skinned Newt
Taricha granulosa
Some of you may have come across some interesting visitors in your wood piles this winter! Salamanders and newts are known for hiding away in decaying wood in the winter as they prepare for, mate, or lay eggs. Rough-skinned newts in particular...Keep Reading...
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| Birding Enthusiasts |  | | Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here. |
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Sponsors
Business Alliance Members:
 
BirdFest & Bluegrass:
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| Granting Organizations & Partners:
    
In-Kind Support:
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Support the Friends While You Shop! |
| 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. 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 username 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 HEREhttps://ridgefieldfriends.org/volunteer-support/join-the-friends/! Thanks for being an EcoShopper and helping the Refuge! |
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 | Benefits of Membership:
Discounts at local businesses for new and renewing members! Would you like to enjoy a cup of coffee from Ridgefield's Seasons 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 with member card!)? Or maybe you would like to get a discount on some supplies at Shorty's or Backyard Bird Shop? How about a night out at Ilani? Find out more, become a Friend, or renew your membership today and receive a member card with great discounts at these wonderful local businesses! Feel free to contact us for any questions or inquiries.
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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. Visit us on the web at www.ridgefieldfriends.org |
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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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| Header Photo Credit: Raul Moreno, 2nd Place, 2017 Refuge Photo Contest |
