Clearing the Hurdles and on to 2022

By Joan Patterson, President, Board of Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates (CORFA)

Did you ever experience a year that felt like a never-ending hurdle race? For all of us, 2021 started with COVID-19 and the impacts of the Office of Inspector General audit of the Service’s Friends program. For the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates (CORFA) we were also getting our inaugural board up and running. We did it! Well, we didn’t cure COVID-19, but by working with Friends, the Service, and NWRA, the partnership between the Service and Friends grew stronger. CORFA cleared numerous hurdles, and we know we have the stamina to sustain our mission to foster a network of nonprofit organizations supporting the National Wildlife Refuge System and the National Fish Hatchery System.

We are thankful for Sue Hix and Barbara Volkle, who were willing to serve one-year terms on the inaugural board. Sue volunteered to be the editor of this newsletter, and we are thankful that she will continue in this role. Barbara has helped to shape CORFA through her insights into policies and strategy. We appreciate the time and creativity that you have committed to CORFA. 

We are delighted to announce three new team members: Aimee Arent, Executive Director of the Friends of Ottawa NWR; Ken Kupchak, Board Member of the Friends of Hakalau Forest NWR; and Sue Wilder, Treasurer of Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges. These folks have a passion for seeing the Friends community succeed, and we’re glad they’re willing to share their time and talents. Welcome!