The National Wildlife Refuge Association is pleased to announce the addition of David Raskin, the long-time Board President and Advocacy Chair of the Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges (Friends of Alaska NWRs), as a new consultant for the National Wildlife Refuge Association on Alaska’s national wildlife refuge issues. After nearly two decades of dedicated service, David recently retired from the Board of the Friends of Alaska NWRs.
In 2022, the National Wildlife Refuge Association awarded David the Refuge Advocate of the Year Award because of his outstanding work as an advocate for our nation’s wildlife refuges, specifically his work with the National Wildlife Refuge System in Alaska. David’s role as co-founder of the Friends of Alaska NWRs organization in 2005 has led to years of advocacy, conservation, and preservation work for national wildlife refuges in Alaska. During his tenure as President, countless relationships were formed between each of the 16 Alaskan national wildlife refuges and the Anchorage Regional Fish and Wildlife staff, along with the expansion of the Friends of Alaska NWRs to 315 members. The Friends of Alaska NWRs’ volunteer, advocacy, and education programs increased exponentially under his leadership. Through David’s oral and written comments, opinion pieces, Congressional testimony, litigation activities, declarations, volunteer organizing, media communications, and other activities, David has significantly contributed to the numerous wins experienced over the years for many of Alaska’s refuges. These include repeatedly staving off Arctic Refuge oil and gas drilling for many years and achieving a 12-million-acre wilderness recommendation for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. David has also worked for 15 years defending Izembek National Wildlife Refuge from a road that would destroy its ecological integrity. The Friends of Alaska NWRs would not be what it is today without his tireless efforts to support and protect Alaska’s national wildlife refuges.
“After co-founding the Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges in 2005 and serving as its president for 16 years, I have retired from its Board of Directors. I look forward to drawing on the knowledge and experience I have gained in working for almost two decades to protect and promote national wildlife refuges as I continue this important work with the National Wildlife Refuge Association and all with whom I have had the opportunity to interact”
We are excited and grateful to have David join our team and for his willingness to continue his work supporting the National Wildlife Refuge System. With his extensive experience and expertise, David will be a great asset to the National Wildlife Refuge Association team to continue protecting and conserving the national wildlife refuges in Alaska and beyond.