Habitat Restoration

Nothing in nature is static, and there is always work to do.

Volunteer Opportunities:

**NOTE: Volunteer Activities at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge are suspended until further notice. Stay tuned, and thank you for your patience.

Types of work includes:

Blackberry removal

Tree planting

Tree maintenance (removal of tubes, adding beaver cages, watering, etc.)

Bulrush searching and removal

Fence Removal

And so much more!

For all work days: We provide snacks, coffee, and water. All work days are rain or shine. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Gloves and eye protection are provided. Arrive early to sign paperwork.

Parent/Guardian signature required for those under 18.

High Tunnel Project

Thank you to all the donors and volunteers who helped to make the High Tunnel Project possible! Throughout 2019, The Friends and Refuge Volunteers worked tirelessly to build a high tunnel hothouse for the Refuge, where plants can be grown and propagated without the possibility of invasive species introduction. These can include Camas, Wapato, Oregon Grape, tree starts, and so much more. And we couldn’t have done it without our generous donors!

Click here to view a pdf slideshow explaining some of the progress while the High Tunnel was being built, or check out some of the images below:

Habitat Restoration Wednesdays & 2nd Saturdays

There is always work to do, and we need your help to do it!

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Habitat Restoration 9 am – 12:30 pm, Wednesdays & Second Saturdays

Meeting location at the Carty Unit, 28908 NW Main Ave, in the lower parking lot next to the bathrooms. (note the detour signage to get to this unit, as Main Ave is closed at Depot St.) Contact: elena_tinoco@fws.gov

Wednesdays:

You are invited to make a difference on your local wildlife refuge! Join us to protect the rebuild native habitat on the Refuge through invasive plant removal and planting preparation. Volunteering will also give you the opportunity to remove barbed wire fencing to prevent wildlife injury and death.

Saturdays:

You are invited to help create a beautiful future for the new Oaks-to-Wetlands trail area. Between the months of March and July the “Oak Release” project removed 34 acres of fir trees on the refuge to conserve white oak habitat. Join us this fall to take part in an exciting mission to restore the native habitat through blackberry removal and native seed planting.

Purchase Supplies

Want to help out the Friends with Habitat Restoration, but can’t make it out to help yourself? You can help us purchase supplies! With Amazon Wishlist, we tell you what we need, and how much, and all you do is buy it! Amazon makes sure it gets to us and provides the receipt! It’s that easy!

This list is always changing and being added to, check back frequently!

What is Habitat Restoration?

Habitat restoration involves work in the mud: planting, digging, pulling, clipping, cutting, hiking, carrying, and fun! We add and subtract, dig and fill, pump water in and pump water out, for the betterment of our land. And sometimes, it isn’t muddy!

Why Volunteer?

You provide a little sweat, we provide the snacks, the tools, and the fun! Unlike other volunteer opportunities on the Refuge, with habitat restoration work, you can join us once, or again and again. Become part of a team that not only gets to shape our refuge but also make a visible difference to the important species it supports. Sometimes our volunteers even get to venture to parts of the Refuge that are closed to the public. And, as with all our volunteer opportunities, come meet some new people and commune with nature!

