Friends Annual Fundraiser: Thank You!  Sending many thanks to those of you who were able to join us for our annual fundraiser on July 20th! We spent a lovely evening at Lucy's Garden celebrating our accomplishments, recognizing our valuable partnerships, and looking towards an exciting year ahead. We'd like to send a special thank you to Lucy's Garden for their outstanding hospitality, to Chef Regan of Delicious Dishes for an amazing meal, to NW Natural for their ongoing support, to the Ilani Casino Resort for the much needed water, to all of the artists and  businesses who contributed items to our auctions, and to the volunteers who were integral in the success of the evening. We look forward to gathering together next year for yet another joyous evening with you all! -Alix Danielsen, Executive Director |
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Calling all BirdFest & Bluegrass 2018 Vendors! BirdFest & Bluegrass, taking place the weekend of October 5-7th, is our  local celebration of the return of the Sandhill Cranes to the Refuge, and of the natural and cultural wealth of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Events include Sandhill Crane tours, guided nature and bird walks, children’s activities, kayak tours, Chinookan Plankhouse tours, naturalist workshops, and the Birder’s Marketplace, featuring artists who concentrate on wildlife and/or nature themes. BirdFest attracts 3,000 – 5,000 people annually, and we expect this year to be a record-breaker! Please note that this year the Birder’s Marketplace will only be open for ONE DAY on Saturday, October 6th. The Marketplace will not be open on Sunday, October 7th. All Sunday activities will be taking place on the Refuge, and not in town. Deadline for space reservation is September 15, 2018. *Note- Nonprofits are free |
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Hey, where is everybody? We are into the summer doldrums. It’s been hot. The number of visitors to the River S has dropped. Hot and dusty is not a favorite time to visit our refuge. Besides, there aren’t many animals to see some will say. Well, that isn’t necessarily so. (The hot part is; the lack of animals isn’t.) It just requires a lot more patience and some thought about why that might seem to be the case. June produced many baby animals running around. Sightings were abundant. The bird parents were busy bringing food to the nests or taking out their chicks to learn how to find food...Keep Reading... -Susan Setterberg, Volunteer & Board President |
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2018 Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest! Back, and better than ever! Submit your favorite nature images taken within the boundaries of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge to the 12th Annual 2018 Photography Competition. This year we are switching things up! We are looking for categories of photos, and adults can only win 1st or 2nd place in each category. Youth prizes stay the same. We look forward to seeing your entries! Submit by: September 3, 2018. ADULT CATEGORY PRIZES: 1st Place & 2nd Place in each category: - Birds – Birds and waterfowl in their natural habitat
- Wildlife – Any wildlife other than birds – mammals, amphibians, fish, insects, reptiles, and invertebrates in their natural habitat
- Plant Life – Trees, grasses, flowers, fungi, mushrooms, and other flora in their natural habitat
- Landscape & Structures – The Refuge contains a mosaic of scenic views, including iconic structures such as the Cathlapotle Plankhouse
YOUTH PRIZES:
Gift Cards from Pro Photo Supply: 1st, 2nd, 3rd place Photo Credit: Raul Moreno 2nd Place 2017 Photo Contest Winner |
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Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events  Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Have a Fun and Safe Summer on the Refuge!  1. Water: Make sure to bring water with you whether you are planning a long or a short visit. It is going to be a hot summer and there is no access to drinking water on the Refuge. 2. Restroom facilities: There are restrooms at the trailheads of both the Carty and River ‘S’ Units, and one stop right before the Kiwa Trail on the River ‘S’ Auto Tour Route, but there are no other facilities available to the public. 3. Bring a Snack: Just like with water, we want you to stay healthy and happy. Plan to bring a snack on longer walks, but keep in mind there are no picnic areas on the Refuge. 4. Trash Receptacles: There are no trash cans available so please pack out anything you bring in with you. We really appreciate it, and the wildlife does too! 5. Appropriate Shoes: If you plan to walk anywhere on the Refuge, we recommend wearing shoes that protect your feet. While Refuge staff strive to keep grasses, poison oak and stinging nettle back from the trails, they are always around, as well as fallen branches, rocks and more. 6. Fire: Fireworks and burning are strictly prohibited on the Refuge, please protect our wildlife. 7. Ticks: Ticks are crafty- even on open trails they can find their way onto humans, so make sure to check yourself after a visit to the Refuge. 8. Heat: If the temperatures become too extreme, the Cathlapotle Plankhouse may be closed during it's regular open hours on the weekend. Keep up to date on sudden closures by checking the Friends Facebook page here. You do not need to have a Facebook account to check.
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 7:30am to 3:30 pm at 360-887-4106. |
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Cathlapotle Plankhouse Second Sunday at the Plankhouse- Traditional Technologies Day August 12, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM: “Early” Bird Walk with a Refuge Naturalist
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM:Plankhouse Tours and Activities-
Explore hands-on displays inside the Plankhouse and family-friendly activities throughout the day. Demonstrations Include: Native Games, Chinookan carving, First Foods, fire-starting, flintknapping, and atlatl throwing.
12:30 PM: Refuge Naturalist led Tracking Walk-
Study plants and their historical significance with expert trail guides.
2:00 PM: Refuge Naturalist led Ethnobotony Walk-
Discover our landscape and learn to track with expert trail guides.
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 Volunteer This Summer on the Refuge Whereas June is the time for newborns on the Refuge, July is for toddlers and tweens. Does browsing the wetlands as fawns trail behind waiting to nurse, fledging birds begging parents for handouts as they careen about learning to fly, coyote pups stalking rustles in the grass, are all reminders that life on the refuge continues from one generation to the next. New life on the Refuge is also a reminder to our habitat volunteers of the importance of the work they do year round to maintain the systems that support current and future generations of the area’s flora and fauna... Keep Reading... (click flyer to view larger or download)
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Help the Friends and the Refuge When 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 go to www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. You can search for us by our name, Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, or by our non-profit number, 89824. Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping the Friends earn a donation to support the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Customer Service desk of any Fred Meyer store. Shop and Give Online at AmazonSmile.com  Log on to smile.amazon.com, shop as you usually would and .5% of your purchase will be donated directly to the Friends. Use the special link, smile.amazon.com, with your existing user name and password. To set up your AmazonSmile account, click this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-2018749. When prompted to select a charity, choose the Friends of Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge. Begin shopping as you normally would and the Friends will receive 0.5% of eligible purchases. Or Shop Online and Give through Giving Assistant  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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Follow the Friends on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! 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: Javier Urquizu 2007 Photo Contest Honorable
Mention |
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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, or a beautiful yard courtesy of Shorty's Nursery? |
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Types of 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. 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 AutoTour. 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 place 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. 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.
Don’t forget to glance at the Refuge calendar, your one-stop shop for fun activities and volunteer opportunities! |
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Ridgefield First Saturday: Picnic in the Park August 4th, 2018 9am - All Day! The sultry days of summer are upon us. So saunter downtown for food, friendship and fun. Shop the used book sale, take a History Walking Tour, participate in the Zucchini 500 Races, play water balloon games, perform in the “Ridgefield’s Got Talent” show and enjoy a picnic lunch – maybe with a glass of wine! |
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American Goldfinch Spinus tristis These bright black, yellow, and white small-stature finches can be spotted in the spring and summer in weedy fields and floodplains. Unlike many species who nest and train their young in the early spring, goldfinches mate and nest in the summer so that they can collect the seeds of plants for their nests and to feed their young. Goldfinches can be seen at birdfeeders year-round, but may not be as easily identifiable as they are in the summer, because goldfinches are the only finch that molts its body feathers twice a year... Keep Reading... Photo By: Kimberly Orth- 2017 Refuge Photo Contest Honorable Mention |
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Business Members
Granting Organizations & Partners
BirdFest & Bluegrass
In-Kind Support |
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