Advocacy in Action –
In Person at the Refuge

By Cheryl Hart, President, Friends of Tualatin River NWRC, and Board Member, Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates (CORFA)

Friends Board President, Cheryl Hart; Advocacy Lead on Opposing Tonquin Quarry, Alan Christensen; and Refuge Deputy Manager, Eva Kristofik, hosted Senator Jeff Merkley’s (D-OR) Field Aide for Washington County, OR, Mitra Anoushiravani at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. We took her on a tour of the refuge and introduced her to the work being done by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Friends, and our community partners to restore and conserve the refuge.

As a mom, she was particularly interested in the family-focused programs we provide, including Puddle Stompers, Creatures of the Night, and our program with Greenway Elementary School. We also highlighted that both USFWS staff and Friends participate in community events such as the Robin Hood Days Parade and the Wapato Showdown, as well as our upcoming 30th Anniversary Celebration and Brews for the Birds Beer and Music Festival. Mitra asked to be put on our mailing list because she thought that many of these events sounded like fun.

Friends will continue to reach out to Mitra on a regular basis to keep her aware of our activities. We are also working with Senator Merkley’s aides to arrange a visit to Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge during National Wildlife Refuge Week from October 8th to 14th.