Get Involved Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington State NWR, National Wildlife Refuge, Birding



Volunteer Projects The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge support an active volunteer program offering several opportunities for you to help out throughout the year. Read on to see how you can get involved and make a difference on the Refuge.
Habitat Restoration Projects Make the refuge even more beautiful than it already is! Help restore wildlife habitat. Habitat Restoration Volunteer Work Days 2009 For more information see the Refuge web site at http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield/getinvolved.html To sign up for a work day: contact Lynn Cornelius, 887 3883 x 14 or lynn_cornelius@fws.gov Invasive Plant Control - Water Iris and ivy: Sat May 30 and Sat Jun13, 9am-1pm. Meet at River S. Unit (Driving Route) kiosk. Invasive Plant Control - Ricefield Bulrush: Our biggest project most Saturdays in summer: June 27, Jul 11, 18, 25; Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and Sept 5. 9am –1pm. Meet at River S kiosk. Invasive Plant Hunter Volunteer Trainings: Wednesday May 13, 9am -1 pm, OR Saturday May 16, 9-1 pm. Limit of 10 spaces per training. Volunteers must be able to work independently and negotiate difficult refuge terrain on foot. (Please Contact Lynn directly) Look for more work days. Additional work parties including weekdays will be added as the schedule is developed. Invasive Plant Volunteer Herbicide Applicators Needed: The refuge will pay costs for interested individuals to obtain a Washington State Pesticide Applicator's license. In exchange, applicators will repay at least 10 hours per year (3, ½-day outings) in applicator time in addition to study and test time. Herbicide applicators will be asked to work independently and as a group with staff to treat persistent invaders like Himalayan blackberry. Contact Lynn Cornelius 887-4106 lynn_cornelius@fws.gov Habitat restoration projects on the refuge and in associated watersheds are a collaborative effort between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Friends of the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, WSU Clark County Extension, Gee Creek Enhancement Committee, The City of Ridgefield, The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, and private citizens.
Cathlapotle Plankhouse Volunteer Work Projects The Cathlapotle Plankhouse, a full-size replica of a cedar Chinookan plankhouse, has been open to visiors since March 29, 2005, the 199th anniversary of Lewis and Clark's visit to the Native American village of Cathlapotle. Volunteer docents kept the house open in 2006, leading tours every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from spring through fall for over 8000 visitors. Volunteers also work on maintenance projects to keep the plankhouse and surrounding area in good shape. Other projects volunteers are involved in include developing an ethnobotanical walk, childrens' activities, and building a summer shelter. What can You do to Help? Become a Docent and talk with visitors - (no experience necessary). Are you handy with your hands? Help with maintenance or landscaping projects. Do you love children and sharing information with them? Become a part of our educators program - (again, no experience necessary). Want to learn Native American craftwork and share it with others? Attend a workshop and sign up to share your knowledge with others. There are many ways to volunteer. Go to www.plankhouse.org for information on Plankhouse events and volunteer opportunities or contact Catherine Mueller-Wille at Catherine_Mueller-Wille@fws.gov.

Volunteer Projects

The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge support an active volunteer program offering several opportunities for you to help out throughout the year. Read on to see how you can get involved and make a difference on the Refuge.

Habitat Restoration Projects

Make the refuge even more beautiful than it already is!
Help restore wildlife habitat.

Habitat Restoration Volunteer Work Days 2009

For more information see the Refuge web site at http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield/getinvolved.html

To sign up for a work day: contact Lynn Cornelius, 887 3883 x 14 or lynn_cornelius@fws.gov

Invasive Plant Control - Water Iris and ivy: Sat May 30 and Sat Jun13, 9am-1pm. Meet at River S. Unit (Driving Route) kiosk.

Invasive Plant Control - Ricefield Bulrush: Our biggest project most Saturdays in summer: June 27, Jul 11, 18, 25; Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and Sept 5. 9am –1pm. Meet at River S kiosk.

Invasive Plant Hunter Volunteer Trainings: Wednesday May 13, 9am -1 pm, OR Saturday May 16, 9-1 pm. Limit of 10 spaces per training. Volunteers must be able to work independently and negotiate difficult refuge terrain on foot. (Please Contact Lynn directly)

Look for more work days. Additional work parties including weekdays will be added as the schedule is developed.

Invasive Plant Volunteer Herbicide Applicators Needed: The refuge will pay costs for interested individuals to obtain a Washington State Pesticide Applicator's license. In exchange, applicators will repay at least 10 hours per year (3, ½-day outings) in applicator time in addition to study and test time. Herbicide applicators will be asked to work independently and as a group with staff to treat persistent invaders like Himalayan blackberry. Contact Lynn Cornelius 887-4106 lynn_cornelius@fws.gov

Habitat restoration projects on the refuge and in associated watersheds are a collaborative effort between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Friends of the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, WSU Clark County Extension, Gee Creek Enhancement Committee, The City of Ridgefield, The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, and private citizens.

Cathlapotle Plankhouse Volunteer Work Projects

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse, a full-size replica of a cedar Chinookan plankhouse, has been open to visiors since March 29, 2005, the 199th anniversary of Lewis and Clark's visit to the Native American village of Cathlapotle.

Volunteer docents kept the house open in 2006, leading tours every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from spring through fall for over 8000 visitors. Volunteers also work on maintenance projects to keep the plankhouse and surrounding area in good shape. Other projects volunteers are involved in include developing an ethnobotanical walk, childrens' activities, and building a summer shelter.

What can You do to Help?

Become a Docent and talk with visitors - (no experience necessary).
Are you handy with your hands? Help with maintenance or landscaping projects.
Do you love children and sharing information with them? Become a part of our educators program - (again, no experience necessary).
Want to learn Native American craftwork and share it with others? Attend a workshop and sign up to share your knowledge with others.

There are many ways to volunteer. Go to www.plankhouse.org for information on Plankhouse events and volunteer opportunities or contact Catherine Mueller-Wille at Catherine_Mueller-Wille@fws.gov.