Refuge Friends – Your Place to Connect with Wildlife and People

From its start in 1903, the National Wildlife Refuge System has owed its very existence to concerned citizens eager to protect America's natural resources. There are now more than 200 Friends groups, with about 10 new organizations created each year. Some support a single refuge while others are connected to a refuge complex or an entire state.

Friends organizations are crucial to the collective mission of the Refuge System to conserve and protect the wildlife of this great nation. Friends organizations are essential to helping millions of Americans understand that their actions today determine the legacy we leave for tomorrow. Click "Find a Friend" on the left to locate a Friends organization near you.

News and Information

Grant Opportunities for Friends

Every Day Capacity Building grant applications will now be accepted year-round. Applications that are submitted between November 1 and April 30 will be reviewed in the Summer Cycle with 25 grants awarded in August. Applications that are submitted between May 1 and October 30 will be reviewed in the Winter Cycle with 25 grants awarded in February.

Build a Better Board The June issue of Friends Forward features tips and advice on building a better board for your Friends organization. Credit: Avocets at Malheur Refuge, OR, by Barbara Wheeler