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Congress Heads Home: Time To Advocate For Your Refuge
As August approaches, so does a key opportunity for Friends groups across the country to make a big impact. On August 2, Congress will begin its annual summer recess—a four-week period when lawmakers return to their home districts. This is a golden opportunity for you to engage with your elected officials directly in their local offices or, better yet, at your national wildlife refuge.
$500 Million for Refuge Disaster Relief—Thanks to Your Advocacy!
Big news for national wildlife refuges! Congressional leaders just released a funding bill to keep the government running through March 14, 2025 (coincidentally the anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System!). But even more exciting, this bill includes $500 million for disaster relief to repair national wildlife refuges damaged by hurricanes, floods, and severe storms.
The 2024 O’Brien Prize for Refuge Friends Groups: Apply Today!
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is excited to announce the opening of the application period for our 2024 O’Brien Prize for Refuge Friends Groups. The O’Brien Prize is a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding achievement by Refuge Friends groups in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
A Journey Through The Heart Of Conservation: Exploring New Mexico's National Wildlife Refuges
New Mexico, known as the "Land of Enchantment," captivates visitors with its diverse landscapes, never-ending sunsets, and rich natural and cultural heritage. Recently, the National Wildlife Refuge Association's board and staff embarked on an inspiring journey to the heart of this enchanting state. The mission: to explore and gain insights from two exceptional national wildlife refuges - Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge and Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge.
Friends of Haystack Rock Awarded The 2023 O'Brien Prize For Refuge Friends
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is thrilled to announce the winners of the prestigious 2023 O'Brien Prize for Refuge Friends. This annual honor recognizes the outstanding efforts of Refuge Friends Groups, who work tirelessly to protect and enhance the natural wonders of our national wildlife refuges.
Celebrating the 2022 O'Brien Prize Grantees: Honoring Indigenous Heritage at Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
At the National Wildlife Refuge Association, we take great pride in supporting conservation initiatives that not only protect national wildlife refuges but also celebrate the rich cultural heritage intertwined with these special public lands dedicated to wildlife. The 2022 O'Brien Prize, awarded to the Friends of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, exemplifies the extraordinary efforts put forth by dedicated individuals who are committed to honoring and preserving the legacy of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi.
Announcing The Winner of the 2022 O’Brien Prize For Refuge Friends
Through the generosity of some of our great Board Members, each year we present a Refuge Friends group with the O’ Brien Prize. Refuge Friends groups are the lifeblood of the National Wildlife Refuge System serving as volunteers and stewards of their local national wildlife refuge. We are pleased to announce the Refuge Friends group that will be receiving the O’Brien Prize, Friends of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Vermont.
An Opportunity For Your Refuge Friends Group! 2022 O'Brien Prize Request For Proposals Announced
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is excited to announce the third installment of the O’Brien Prize, an annual award for our Friends groups. The prize is named after Donal O’Brien III, a past Board Chair and longtime enthusiast of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Don is a generous supporter of the great work we do for national wildlife refuges and is very impressed by the dedication and effectiveness of Refuge Friends groups.
2021 O'Brien Prize For Refuge Friends Groups Update
The 2021 recipient of the O’Brien Prize is the Friends of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex (FWVNWRC), Oregon for their Bilingual Trail Video Project. They are producing a series of 14 short trail videos in English and Spanish showcasing the plants, animals, and habitats found within the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, and the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Each of the national wildlife refuges that the Refuge Friends group support are a part of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Oregon. They have created a YouTube channel, posted videos of the first three trails, photographed and taken video footage for four additional trails, and identified seven additional trails for future videos. You can view all of the Friends Trail Videos on their YouTube Channel and one video of the series is shown below in both English and Spanish.
An Opportunity For Your Friend Group: The 2021 O’Brien Prize
The National Wildlife Refuge Association has an opportunity for you!! Through the generosity of some of our great Board Members, we are announcing our 2021 O’Brien Prize, an annual award for Refuge Friends groups. The prize is named after Donal O’Brien III, a past Board Chair and longtime enthusiast of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Don is a generous supporter of the great work we do for national wildlife refuges and is very impressed by the dedication and effectiveness of Refuge Friends groups.
Announcing The Winners of the 2020 O’Brien Prize For Refuge Friends
We are pleased to announce the two national wildlife refuge Friends groups who will be receiving the O’Brien Prize; International Wildlife Refuge Alliance of Detroit, MI, and Friends of the Mariana Trench National Wildlife Refuge, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.
An Opportunity For Your Friends Group: Announcing The O'Brien Prize
The National Wildlife Refuge Association has an opportunity for you!! Through the generosity of some of our great Board Members, we have established the O’ Brien Prize, an annual award for our Friends groups. The prize is named after Donal O’Brien III, a past Board Chair and longtime enthusiast of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Don is a generous supporter of the great work we do for Refuges and is very impressed by the dedication and effectiveness of Refuge Friends groups.