Please add contact@ridgefieldfriends.org to your address book or safe senders list. You are receiving this email because you are either a member or signed up for our mailing list.  Image credit: Oca Hoeflein, 2018, 2nd Place, Landscape Category, Pro Photo Supply Refuge Photo Contest The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge The latest updates & news | July 2026 Get ready, it's a long one, but worth it!The Ridgefield NWR Admin Office is open weekdays, as staff availability allows: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Office phone number: 360-887-4106 Community Nature Center Hours:  Hours and times for the Community Nature Center and the Office will vary over the next few months as we transition to offering this new experience at the Refuge. The staff of the Refuge and the Friends appreciate your patience. Learn More: Official Refuge Website Raptor's Baseball NightTHIS THURSDAY - JULY 2! 50% of all ticket sales through OUR LINK ONLY will be split with us! Last chance to help the Friends, support a good cause, and enjoy summer baseball as the Ridgefield Raptors take on the NW Star Nighthawks!  Gratitude in Action: Thank You to Our Supporters!Our community is growing stronger every day, thanks to the incredible generosity of our local partners and friends. We want to extend a huge thank you to our recent donors who are helping us thrive:
Volunteer with the FriendsWe are looking for folks to assist with tabling during Ridgefield Fourth of July First Saturday on July 4, and at National Night Out, in Abrams Park, on August 8.  We need members and supporters willing to put on a metaphorical Friends volunteer hat, and help us spread the word about memberships, sponsorships, business perks, and all the work the Friends are doing in the new Community Nature Center! No experience required; we can work with you to get started. Ridgefield First SaturdayFourth of July July 4, 2026  Join us in Ridgefield, Washington, for a spectacular 4th of July celebration filled with parades, live entertainment, delicious food, and unforgettable fun! Find the Friends celebrating in the vendor marketplace, and say hi! Community Nature Center Ribbon Cutting SuccessOn May 3, 2026, we officially celebrated a monumental milestone with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our brand-new Community Nature Center at the Carty Unit! Bringing together tribal nations, federal agencies, local leaders, and our incredible community, the grand opening marked a beautiful renewal of our shared connection to the land and each other. More than just a building, this space stands as a vibrant educational hub and a welcoming gateway to the natural world—co-created with and for the community to inspire wildlife stewardship for generations to come. For now, we ask that you check the events page for when you can visit the new building. Over the summer, hours for the Community Nature Center will vary. The staff of the Refuge and the Friends truly appreciate your patience while we grow. Thank You, Stacy!Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge would like to thank Stacy Mueller for her time and commitment as a Board member. Stacy joined the Board in January of 2025 and has been an active participant with the Friends...keep reading...  July Friends Member Wellness Event Friends Members, make sure you check your inboxes for the official invite to our next Member Wellness Event, partnered with the City of Ridgefield Dragon Boats, on July 19! Not a Member of the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge yet? Or maybe you didn't get the email? Join or Renew, at the $60 level or higher to be invited to this and future free membership engagement. Pro Photo Supply Ridgefield NWR Updated & Fledgling Photo ContestsOnly one month left to submit your Ridgefield Refuge photos in various categories for a chance to win prizes from Pro Photo Supply and Friends of Ridgefield NWR! This year, our 'Youth' category was changed to High School, and we added the Fledgling Contest (thanks to a sponsorhsip from ASMP Oregon) for grades 4-8!  Submissions Due: August 3, 2026 Winners of both contests will be able to view their photo prints at BirdFest & Bluegrass, Saturday, October 3, 2026! Free Workshop Series Continues!FREE Workshop at the Carty Unit! Writers Workshop BirdFest & BluegrassOctober 3, 2026SponsorshipsSponsor BirdFest & Bluegrass, our annual festival celebrating the Refuge, wildlife, and our community!  Partner PartyThe BirdFest & Bluegrass Partner Party on October 3, 2026, brings together our support community and Refuge visitors. We invite nonprofits and community partners to join us for an educational, non-retail celebration of local wildlife, habitat conservation, and the groups helping protect the Refuge. Birding Enthusiasts Check out what bird species are being seen on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - both past and current archives - on our website. A Bee StoryThe Sting Misunderstanding "I've been stung before." I hear that comment a lot when I talk about bees. My response is usually, "By what?" Most people are surprised to learn...keep reading... -Anne Bulger, Friends of RNWR Board Member, & OSU Master Melittology Lead Instructor for the RNWR Complex Image of Native Fine Striped Sweat Bee by la4bonte/iNaturalist Stay Involved:Join the Friends - Become a MemberAll members will receive a digital member card, a free optional tote bag, a sticker, and other perks. Members over $60 also gain access to the Soar into Wellness Program, & Members giving over $1000 are also included in a special website highlight!  Support While You Shop Get the whole family geared up and support Refuge conservation with every purchase. If you're looking for gorgeous nature and wildlife photography on jigsaw puzzles, we have you covered!  When you link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to the Friends, you help us earn donations from Fred Meyer Community Rewards. It's easy! Search Friends of Ridgefield NWR, #PK822  Friends Amazon Wishlist- Support our work and the Refuge's initiatives! Whether it's habitat restoration or BirdFest & Bluegrass, we'll feature items essential to efforts toward achieving conservation and community outreach goals. Friends Board MeetingsJoin the Friends of Ridgefield NWR Board for their monthly meeting. Meetings start at 5:00 PM every second Monday of the month and will be either virtual or in-person with a virtual option. Please contact us to find out how to join in! Board Meeting Dates 2026:
*moved due to a federal holiday or Board decision  Become a Business Alliance MemberAs a member of the Friends of the RNWR Business Alliance, you invest in one of our urban metropolitan area’s most unique and diverse natural and cultural resources. Find out more. Sponsors:Business Alliance Members:    In-Kind Support:   BirdFest & Bluegrass:           Granting Organizations & Partners            More Ways to HelpWant more updates on Refuge events & happenings? Follow the Friends on social media or our website by clicking the logos below! Stay connected when you're off the Refuge. Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge | PO BOX 1022 | Ridgefield, WA 98642 |
