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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 | August 2026
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:
Check the events page for when you can visit the new building. 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
Last Call - August Free WorkshopWriters Workshop
August 1, 10 AM
Join Susan Dingle, current Clark County Poet Laureate, for a relaxing and reflective 1.5 hours on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Walk the trails and use the time to write, draw, brainstorm, or however else you'd like to interact with the written word. Susan will lead the group through writing practices as you enjoy the beauty of summer at the Refuge. No experience or previous writing required, all ages welcome.
August 3 - Last Day to Enter the Pro Photo Supply Ridgefield NWR Updated & Fledgling Photo Contests! Just days 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, we added the Fledgling Contest (thanks to a sponsorhsip from ASMP Oregon) for grades 4-8! So far, we can see a deficit in the fledgling contest, and the landscape, wildlife, plant life, and High School categories! We know there are lots of photographers on the refuge; we want to see your point of view. Submissions Due: August 3, 2026 Winners of both contests will be able to view their photo prints at BirdFest & Bluegrass, Saturday, October 3, 2026!
Ridgefield First SaturdayDay of Festivals August 1, 2026 Join us on Saturday, August 1 for the Day of Festivals in Downtown Ridgefield.
Learn about how your City works at City Days, watch Dragon Boat Races at the Paddle For Life Races, shop the Children's Entrepreneur Market along with the Farmers Market and First Saturday Vendors (where the Friends booth is!)!
6 PM Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Abrams Park
400 Abrams Park Rd.National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie - and transforms Abrams Park into a community-wide block party with a free hot dog dinner, activities, games, music, vendors, and more.
Be sure to stop by the Friends booth to help us paint decorative birdhouses! You can also sign up as an individual, family, or group to paint your own birdhouse. They'll all be on display starting at BirdFest & Bluegrass this October, and will spend the winter adding a splash of color to downtown Ridgefield. Special thanks to our fantastic partners at Plas Newydd Farm and Ridgefield Main Street for bringing this project to life!
Big news is fluttering through the Refuge!📷 Red-winged blackbird by Bill Lowney Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is thrilled to announce we're joining Give More 24! on September 24th, Clark County's most impactful day of community giving!
The Refuge is a local treasure, and it needs your support to thrive. This year, we’ve set an ambitious goal to raise $20,000. These vital funds will power advocacy, nature education, and community programs that simply wouldn't exist without you.
Our theme this year is simple yet powerful: “The Refuge Needs Your Help.”
Volunteer with the FriendsWe 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.
10:30-11:00 AM,
August 6 & 20, 2026Put on your adventure boots and join your Ridgefield Community Library pals the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge for Storytime! The shiny new Community Nature Center will welcome curious wanderers from 10AM to 12PM, with a library-led storytime from 10:30-11:00.
And don't forget, the trails are calling for some daytime exploring fun! No need to sign up, just drop on by!
Check out what bird species are being seen on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - both past and current archives - on our website. The Secret Life of Bees and TreesWhen we think about bees, we usually picture colorful wildflowers buzzing with activity. Yet some of the busiest pollinator highways are high above our heads—in the flowering canopies of trees...keep reading...
-Anne Bulger, Friends of RNWR Board Member, & OSU Master Melittology Lead Instructor for the RNWR Complex Image of Sitka Bumble Bee (Bombus sitkensis) la4bonte/iNaturalist
Sponsor BirdFest & Bluegrass, our annual festival celebrating the Refuge, wildlife, and our community! The 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.
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!
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.
Join 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: - August 10
- September 14
- *October 19
- November 9
- December 14
*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.
Business Alliance Members: Granting Organizations & Partners
Want 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 |
