National Wildlife Refuge Association Receives Three-Year Grant for South Florida Urban Wildlife Refuge Project
For Immediate Release: October 21st, 2026
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org
Multi-year grant of $55,000 annually for three years from the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties will expand opportunities to connect South Florida communities with nature
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL – The National Wildlife Refuge Association has received a three-year, $55,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties to support its South Florida Urban Wildlife Refuge Project. In partnership with the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, the project expands access to conservation education and outdoor recreation across South Florida.
The project supports the Refuge Association’s broader goal of building nationwide support for the National Wildlife Refuge System and the habitats and wildlife it protects. Working with A.R.M Loxahatchee NWR, community organizations, and local stakeholders, the Refuge Association creates opportunities for residents of all ages to take part in habitat restoration and conservation education close to home.
White Peacock Butterfly at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, FL | Eden Taylor / National Wildlife Refuge Association
“We are incredibly grateful to the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties for this three-year investment in our work in South Florida,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “Building a strong conservation constituency starts with creating opportunities for people to experience nature in their own communities. This support will help us deepen those connections, reach more families and young people, and inspire the next generation to become stewards of the natural places that make South Florida so special.”
Bringing Nature Into South Florida Communities
Working alongside community members, partners, and stakeholders, the South Florida Urban Wildlife Refuge Project develops relevant, sustainable, and engaging programs that make conservation accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Two Conservation Ranger Camp participants investigate a mock wildlife crime | Eden Taylor / National Wildlife Refuge Association
Programs include the Conservation Ranger Camp, which introduces young people to wildlife, conservation, and outdoor recreation through hands-on experiences, as well as Pocket Refuges, which create small-scale native habitats in public and community spaces. These programs provide opportunities for residents to build deeper connections with nature while learning about the important role healthy habitats play in their communities.
By creating opportunities to experience nature, the Refuge Association helps residents understand and address environmental challenges facing South Florida. The project’s Floating Wetlands pilot program creates miniature Everglades ecosystems on stormwater ponds, offering hands-on learning about wetland habitats and the role of green infrastructure in community resilience.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Conservationists
A central goal of the South Florida Urban Wildlife Refuge Project is to introduce young people to conservation and create pathways for them to envision themselves as future environmental leaders
Through outdoor recreation, conservation education, internships, and hands-on professional experiences, the Refuge Association seeks to give young people opportunities to explore careers in conservation while developing the knowledge and skills needed to protect wildlife and natural resources.
The Community Foundation’s three-year investment will help provide continuity for this work, allowing the Refuge Association to strengthen community partnerships, expand opportunities for meaningful engagement with nature, and build a lasting conservation constituency across South Florida.
###
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is a nonprofit organization that leads philanthropy locally, connecting donors to their charitable interests and addressing community needs through grantmaking and leadership.
The National Wildlife Refuge System is the largest network of public lands and waters in the world dedicated to wildlife conservation, encompassing more than 570 refuges and 850 million acres. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, refuges provide critical habitat for thousands of species and offer opportunities for Americans to experience nature through hiking, hunting, birding, photography, and education.
As the only nonprofit solely dedicated to supporting the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs that serve the Refuge System and wildlife beyond its boundaries. The organization addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.
