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Join the Refuge Friends Community: Get Involved with Your Local Refuge Friends Group

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Join the Refuge Friends Community: Get Involved with Your Local Refuge Friends Group

Welcome back to the Refuge Friends Corner! As a supporter of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, you have a fun opportunity to get involved with your local Refuge Friends group and the overall Refuge Friends community. Whether you're passionate about conservation, enjoy spending time in nature, or want to connect with like-minded individuals, joining a Refuge Friends group can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Are you interested in exploring ways to get involved and make a difference for the National Wildlife Refuge System locally? Read on for ideas on how to get involved with the Refuge Friends community. 

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The Fight For Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Continues

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The Fight For Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Continues

In the heart of south Georgia lies the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, a sprawling landscape of over 400,000 acres. With its vibrant ecosystem and unique history, the refuge is a treasured national resource. However, the company Twin Pines Minerals has threatened to destroy this vital national wildlife refuge.

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New Urban Community Engagement Specialist Helps Expand Conservation Impact in New York, New Jersey

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New Urban Community Engagement Specialist Helps Expand Conservation Impact in New York, New Jersey

As far back as she can remember, Lucy Crespo hasn’t liked being indoors. Maybe it’s in her genes: she was born in Argentina, surrounded by forests and mountains, lush grass and plants, and rivers that ran by her home. The air was crisp and sweet, the water clear.

That’s all a distant memory for her now. When she was four years old, Lucy and her family left home in search of a better and more prosperous life, eventually settling thousands of miles away in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Nominations Now Open For The 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards

Nominations Now Open For The 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards

It's that time of year again! Every year, the National Wildlife Refuge Association honors the exceptional contributions made by the dedicated individuals who support our national wildlife refuges. We are proud to announce the 2023 Wildlife Refuge Awards, recognizing the outstanding achievements of refuge managers, employees, volunteers, Friends groups, and advocates.

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Elizabeth Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership Christmas Bird Count!

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Elizabeth Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership Christmas Bird Count!

Elizabeth, New Jersey is home to skyscrapers, parking lots, and one of the busiest seaports in the eastern United States, but may not immediately come to mind when thinking of a location for bird watching as part of the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count. Appearances can be deceiving though, as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with the Friends of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Groundwork Elizabeth, and the National Wildlife Refuge Association, successfully hosted their third-annual Christmas Bird Count in Elizabeth on December 17, 2022.

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Refuge Friends: The Unsung Heroes of America's National Wildlife Refuges

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Refuge Friends: The Unsung Heroes of America's National Wildlife Refuges

America's National Wildlife Refuge System is a beacon of conservation efforts, and the role of Refuge Friends groups is a shining example of what can be accomplished when people come together for a common cause. These groups of dedicated volunteers are the lifeblood of the Refuge System, providing invaluable support in the quest to preserve and manage America's precious wildlife and natural habitats.

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The National Wildlife Refuge Association Embarks on Campaign to Address Refuge Staffing Crisis

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The National Wildlife Refuge Association Embarks on Campaign to Address Refuge Staffing Crisis

The National Wildlife Refuge System, the world's largest network of lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation, is facing a staffing crisis that threatens its ability to protect biodiversity and provide recreational opportunities. In response to this dire situation, the National Wildlife Refuge Association is focusing its efforts in the 118th Congress to raise awareness of this issue and secure the necessary funds to sufficiently staff the Refuge System. We recently sent a letter to Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, outlining the work we will be doing with our partners and supporters to advocate for increased funding for the Refuge System to address these challenges.

Feathery Fun: Celebrating National Bird Day and the Importance of the National Wildlife Refuge System

Feathery Fun: Celebrating National Bird Day and the Importance of the National Wildlife Refuge System

Happy National Bird Day! Today is a time to celebrate and appreciate our feathered friends and all the joy they bring to our lives. But it's also a time to reflect on the importance of protecting and preserving the habitats that these birds call home.