Environmental Education on the Refuge

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge offers space for educators to conduct outdoor classroom activities in areas open to the public. Because Pierce, Franz Lake and Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuges in the Columbia River Gorge are closed to the public, educators are required to request a Special Use Permit before accessing or conducting activities on these refuges.
 
What do I need to do to schedule a field trip to the refuge?
All groups planning to visit the refuge for a field trip are required to contact the refuge office at 360-887-4106 or email Eric_Anderson@fws.gov and make a reservation. Reservations are required to avoid conflicts with other groups. It is also recommended that educators or activity coordinators conduct a site visit prior to the scheduled field trip date to become familiar with refuge facilities, layout, and regulations.

What type of information will I need to provide when I make my reservation?

1) Field trip contact person(s) name, phone number, or e-mail address(es).

2) Date(s) & time(s) - planned or scheduled - of field trip and how long the visit will last.

3) Name and address of school, organization, troop, etc. and grade level or ages of the students.

4) Total number of people in the group (includes teachers and chaperones).

5) Refuge area or facilities to be used during the field trip.

6) A description of the activity(ies) planned for during the visit.

How much does it cost to visit the Refuge?

Field trip groups qualify for a fee waiver only if they are visiting the Refuge for educational purposes and integrating their field trip into a larger course of study that focuses at least partially on the natural or cultural environment.

Will there be a tour guide available to lead my group during our field trip?
 
The Refuges in the Complex do not have full time educators on staff, therefore guided tours are usually limited to when staff or refuge volunteers are available. Groups wishing to have a tour guide during their field trip must inform the refuge staff at the time the reservation is made. Being specific about tour information or topic(s) to be addressed during the trip will help determine who is selected as a knowledgeable guide. If a tour guide is not available, educators should be prepared to lead their own groups while on the refuge.

What resources do you provide for educators who do not get a refuge tour guide?
 
A Refuge Educator's Guide is available to assist teachers and group leaders to prepare students for a visit to the refuge. It includes both indoor and outdoor educational lessons and projects. You may download a copy of the Refuge Educator's Guide here as a pdf file - 4.6 MB.

Other resources include the Dusky Duffel backpacks which contain binoculars, field guide identification books and equipment, and lesson exercises that may be conducted in the field. Other publications are ususally available at no cost and include posters, coloring books, informational brochures, and flyers.
 
Periodially, teacher workshops are conducted on the refuge through the Environmental Information Cooperative in Vancouver. The Birds Go To School workshop instructs educators on how to guide students at Ridgefield NWR and incorporating environmental education information in the classroom and outdoors. You may reach their office at (360) 546-9510.

What about an educational visit for cultural resources on Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge?

For information about education and the cultural resources on Ridgefield NWR visit the Cultural Resources webpage for Ridgefield NWR (this takes you to the US Fish & Wildlife Service website) or visit the Cathlapotle Plankhouse website at http://plankhouse.org.