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Conservation has a ‘Friend’ in Southern California
Volunteers make the world work….better. Thanks to the Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge (Friends) in Southern California, more people are learning about the refuge and why it’s so vital to its nearby communities. This group's countless hours of service and its long-term commitment to nature and conservation earned the Friends the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 2022 Molly Krival— Refuge Friends Group of the Year Award.
Josiah "JC" Boothe Recognized With Early Career Conservationist of the Year for USFWS Southwest Region Award
The National Wildlife Refuge Association’s own Josiah “J.C.” Boothe was recently recognized with the Early Career Conservationist of the Year for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Southwest Region Award for his excellent work at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Roswell, New Mexico.
On His Watch, National Wildlife Refuge System Remains Safe For All To Explore
Don’t mess with the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System). If you do, Federal Wildlife Officer Robert Peloquin of Las Vegas is there to set you straight, with education, awareness and dignity. For his 20 years of service at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex (DNWRC), dedication to the Refuge System and his record of accomplishments, Robert was recently named the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Employee of the Year.
‘Rock’ Solid with 8,938 Volunteer Hours Benefiting Wildlife in Nevada
Don’t tell Rod Colvin to find a hobby. With the number of hours he dedicates to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Nevada, spare time is limited, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Rod was recently named the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 2022 Volunteer of the Year. He will be recognized for this honor at the Wildlife Refuge Awards dinner, which will take place on Wednesday, September 14, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC at 6 p.m. Media is welcome to attend and cover the program.
Announcing Our 2022 Wildlife Refuge Awards: Honoring Five Awardees for Conservation Accomplishments
Within the hustle and bustle of everyday life lies a world of nature and conservation that is vital to the vibrancy of its surrounding communities. Although many of us have not yet experienced the peace and serenity of a national wildlife refuge, we are all fortunate that there are those who dedicate their lives to the preservation of these wild and unique places.
Spotlight On Refuge Projects: Ocean Exploration Of Pacific Remote National Wildlife Refuges
Ever wonder what lurks under the sea at some of the most remote national wildlife refuges? Well, now you can watch along and find out! During their 2022 E/V Nautilus Expedition, the Ocean Exploration Trust is on an eight-month mission exploring the remote waters of the Central Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
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.
Meet The National Wildlife Refuge Association Board— Cheryl Hart
The National Wildlife Refuge Association Board of Directors provides expertise, support, and a strategic vision for the organization. They are conservation experts, business leaders, volunteers, and advocates dedicated to our mission to protect, promote, and enhance the National Wildlife Refuge System for the benefit of all Americans. Cheryl Hart is a Refuge Friends aficionado and currently serves on the National Wildlife Refuge’s Board and as the organization’s chair of the Friends Committee. Cheryl is also active in her local Refuge Friends group, Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, and is on the board of NWRA’s partner Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates.
Refuge & Hatchery Friends Photo Contest April 2022 Winner— D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives
The April Photo Contest winner was a photo by Les Heiserman of a Canada Goose and six goslings. Les captured the amazing image at the D.C Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives in Spearfish, South Dakota. Nancy Cole, Booth Society Friends Gift Shop Manager, and Assistant Director submitted this winning photo. The pair of geese have been nesting on the island for at least the last 9 years. Visitors to the Hatchery eagerly await their arrival.
Refuge & Hatchery Friends Photo Contest March 2022 Winner— Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
For March the winning photo taken by Bob Glennon is of a bison and a fiery red sunset at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, East Lake, North Carolina.
Bob shared with us captivating photos of the early bloomers at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern North Carolina. These early bloomers will produce the berries the black bears that reside on the refuge. Bob, also captured a great photo of the black bear.
Meet The National Wildlife Refuge Association Board— Wayne Hubbard
Each month, we highlight a former or current board member and get their thoughts on current events, how they got involved in National Wildlife Refuge Association, and what they love about nature and wildlife refuges.
Wayne Hubbard is the host and producer of Emmy-nominated Urban American Outdoors TV and has spent his career bringing outdoor recreation opportunities to urban audiences around the country for decades.
Spotlight On Refuge Projects: Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge Expansion
Bayou Sauvage, at nearly 30,000 acres, is the nation’s second largest urban refuge and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It lies protected mostly within the levees of eastern New Orleans and has long been a favorite of birders, fishers, hunters, crabbers, hikers, bikers, and kayakers. An abundance of wildlife – more than 340 species of birds, including bald eagles, as well as Gulf sturgeon, American alligators, and the occasional west Indian manatee – call the refuge home.
Why Congressional Appropriations Are Important To The National Wildlife Refuge System
The National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses more than 850 million acres of land and waters across America’s 568 National Wildlife Refuges, including 5 Marine National Monuments. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is responsible for managing these lands and is expected to fulfill its obligation to the Refuge System’s 64 million annual visitors and diverse wildlife on a budget of a mere 61¢ per acre per year, a fraction of what other land agencies receive. For comparison, the National Park Service receives $31 per acre for land management.
Meet The National Wildlife Refuge Association Board— Rebecca Rubin
Rebecca Rubin was a member of our board for seven years and remains a passionate advocate for the environment. She lives in Fredericksburg, VA, and continues to work on environmental causes and projects.
Each month, we highlight a former or current board member and get their thoughts on current events, how they got involved with the National Wildlife Refuge Association, and what they love about nature and wildlife refuges.
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.
Happy 119th Birthday To The National Wildlife Refuge System
Today we wish a very happy 119th birthday to the National Wildlife Refuge System!
The National Wildlife Refuge System began in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt created a “Federal Bird Reservation” at Pelican Island in Florida to save brown pelicans. The protection of this three-acre mangrove island was a pivotal moment for the American conservation movement, laying the groundwork for what would become our system of national wildlife refuges.
Refuge & Hatchery Friends Photo Contest February 2022 Winner— Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
For February the winning photo taken by Dale Bales, is of a bison and a fiery red sunset at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, Prairie City, Iowa. Linda Frazier has other photos of the Refuge.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City, Iowa was established in 1990 with the purpose to protect, restore and reconstruct and manage native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie, oak savanna, and sedge meadow.
Spotlight On Refuge Projects: Tidal Wetlands Restoration Project – first of its kind in Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
A multitude of benefits and a model for the future. That’s the result of the recently completed White Slough Tidal Wetlands Restoration Project at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in California.
Reducing Light Pollution From Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches In Puerto Rico
As sea turtle nesting beaches become more urbanized, light pollution tops the list of deadly threats affecting these endangered species.
Refuge & Hatchery Friends Photography Contest
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is partnering with Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates to host a monthly photo contest for Refuge and Hatchery Friends groups across the country. The Friends Photo Contest started as an idea by the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates Facebook group last year and has quickly grown in engagement, you can read more about the contest here.