For Immediate Release November 3rd, 2026
Contact: Eden Taylor | etaylor@refugeassociation.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to honor Kathy Woodward with the Lifetime Refuge Friend Award in recognition of her decades of dedication to the National Wildlife Refuge System, her leadership in the Friends movement, and her enduring commitment to protecting wildlife and wild places.
Kathy Woodward receives Lifetime Refuge Friends Award alongside her husband and Refuge Association Board Member Carl Woodward and Board Chair, The Honorable Lynn Scarlett | Eden Taylor / National Wildlife Refuge Association
A founding member of Friends of Great Swamp, Woodward has been a steadfast champion of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge since 1999. Her commitment to the refuge reflects a lifelong love of the outdoors and a deep belief in the importance of preserving natural places for wildlife and future generations.
Woodward’s connection to Great Swamp began long before her formal involvement in the Friends organization. She and her husband, Carl Woodward, married in 1973, sharing a love of the outdoors that began when they were dating. When they purchased their home in 1976, its proximity to Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was a selling point. Over the years, that connection grew into what Woodward describes as a “love affair” with Great Swamp—a relationship that has shaped her volunteer service and commitment to conservation.
“Kathy Woodward embodies the very best of what it means to be a Friend of a national wildlife refuge,” said The Honorable Lynn Scarlett, Board Chair of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “Her decades of service to Great Swamp, her leadership within the Refuge Association, and her willingness to share her knowledge and experience with others demonstrate the lasting impact one dedicated individual can have. Kathy’s commitment has strengthened the refuge community and helped ensure that these special places remain valued and protected for generations to come.”
In addition to her longstanding work with Friends of Great Swamp, Woodward has dedicated significant time and leadership to the National Wildlife Refuge Association. She served on the Association’s board for a total of 12 years, including time as vice chair, helping advance the organization’s mission to protect, promote, and enhance the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Woodward has also played an important role in mentoring others. Beginning in 2003, she participated in two rounds of mentoring with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recently returning to this role. Her continued willingness to guide and support others reflects her understanding that the future of wildlife conservation depends not only on protecting places, but also on cultivating the people who will care for them.
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, NJ in fall splendor | USFWS
“Throughout her years of service, Kathy has demonstrated that being a Refuge Friend is more than volunteering—it is a lifelong commitment to a place, its wildlife, and the community that surrounds it,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “Kathy’s passion for Great Swamp, her leadership at the national level, and her dedication to mentoring others are an extraordinary example of the difference one person can make. We are delighted to recognize her with the Lifetime Refuge Friend Award and celebrate the legacy she continues to build.”
The Lifetime Refuge Friend Award recognizes individuals whose sustained dedication and service have made a meaningful difference to the National Wildlife Refuge System and the communities that support it. Through her decades of involvement with Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, her leadership with the National Wildlife Refuge Association, and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of conservation advocates, Woodward exemplifies the spirit of this award.
Her story is a testament to the power of a personal connection to nature—and to how that connection can grow into a lifetime of service, stewardship, and lasting impact.
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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.
