National Wildlife Refuge Association Welcomes Matthew Emmer as Refuge Friends & Advocacy Manager
For Immediate Release September 8th, 2026
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org
New role will strengthen support for Refuge Friends and grassroots advocacy for the National Wildlife Refuge System
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association today announced that Matthew Emmer has joined the organization as Refuge Friends & Advocacy Manager, bringing firsthand experience in Refuge Friends leadership, community engagement, advocacy and storytelling.
In this new role, Emmer will lead the Refuge Association’s efforts to strengthen and mobilize the nationwide network of local organizations, conservation partners and advocates dedicated to national wildlife refuges. He will serve as the organization’s primary liaison to Refuge Friends groups, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Friends Coordinators, and the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates.
“Refuge Friends are among the most dedicated champions of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and Matthew understands their work because he has done it himself,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “His experience leading a Friends group, building connections across the national network and using storytelling to inspire action makes him uniquely prepared to help Friends turn their local passion into an even stronger voice for the entire Refuge System.”
Emmer will work directly with Friends groups to understand their needs and provide the training, resources and connections they need to grow their organizations and advocate effectively for their refuges. He will help Friends understand federal policy issues affecting the Refuge System, engage with elected officials and agency leaders, participate in coordinated advocacy efforts and build their long-term capacity.
One of Emmer’s first priorities will be to help build champions and lasting support for the National Wildlife Refuge System. He will also work across the Refuge Association’s programs to develop training, webinars, educational materials, action alerts and other resources for the Friends network.
“I’ve always believed that the strength of the Refuge System comes not just from the lands and waters themselves, but from the people who care about them,” said Matthew Emmer, Refuge Friends & Advocacy Manager of the National Wildlife Refuge Association . “Friends groups are uniquely positioned to be that bridge between refuges and their communities.”
Emmer draws on his experience as President of Friends of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuges, where he has helped people find meaningful ways to connect with and champion the places that protect wildlife and wild landscapes.
A storyteller and filmmaker by training, Emmer holds a master’s degree in film and television from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a bachelor’s degree in audio engineering from Clemson University. He served as an artist-in-residence at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2018 and again in 2023, documenting park rangers, gathering oral histories and exploring the human stories behind public lands. He brings that creative perspective to his conservation work and understands the important role storytelling and community play in building a strong future for the Refuge System.
The addition of this position represents an important investment in one of the Refuge System’s greatest strengths: the passionate people and local organizations that volunteer their time, knowledge and energy to protect and champion their refuges.
To connect with Emmer or learn more about the Refuge Association’s work with Refuge Friends, contact him at memmer@refugeassociation.org.
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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.
Refuge Friends organizations are community-based nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting national wildlife refuges. These grassroots groups raise awareness, coordinate volunteer opportunities, support habitat restoration, host educational programs, and advocate for their local refuges—all while working closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff.
