President Obama launched the America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative to develop a 21^st Century conservation and recreation agenda. AGO takes as its premise that lasting conservation solutions should rise from the American people – that the protection of our natural heritage is a non-partisan objective shared by all Americans. AGO recognizes that many of the best ideas come from outside of Washington. Instead of dictating policies, this initiative turns to communities for local, grassroots conservation initiatives. Instead of growing bureaucracy, it calls for reworking inefficient policies and making the Federal Government a better partner with states, tribes, and local communities. For more information, visit the AGO website.

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a summer employment program, established by Public Law 93-408, for young men and women between the ages of 15 through 18.  The program is administered by the Department of Interior (DOI), Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Park Service (NPS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).   For more information about the YCC at Bear River, check out our YCC PAGE!

Let's Go Outside! is an U.S. Fish & Wildlife program and partner, set up to get more nature in your kids!  For more information, check out the Let's Go Outside website.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program (JDS) is a dynamic arts curriculum that teaches wetlands and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. The program incorporates scientific and wildlife management principles into a visual arts curriculum with participants completing a JDS design as their visual “term papers."  Bear River's very own Kathi Stopher is the Utah state coordinator for the Junior Duck program.  For more information, check out our Jr. Duck page or  visit the Jr Duck Stamp website. (Art to the right is by Bradley Gray, 2011 winner of the Utah Jr. Duck Stamp contest.) 

The 2013 Utah Jr. Duck Stamp entry deadline is March 23, 2013! For more info - call or email Kathi Stopher at 435.734.6438 or kathi_stopher@fws.gov  or download the 2013 JDS Poster! 

Bear River has an active Jr. Ranger program - highlighted by our Jr. Ranger Activity backpacks.  These backpacks are available for check out by children and families at our front desk, and are filled with fun tools and guides for exploring the Refuge wetlands and grasslands.  There is also an activity workbook with 15 fun activities, and if participants complete at least 5, they can earn their patch and become an official Bear River Jr. Ranger. Download your Bear River Jr. Ranger Activity Book now, print it and bring it with you and become a Jr. Ranger today!

Through a partnership with the Ogden Nature Center, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge offers local families, preschool and daycare student’s opportunities for discovery through our Wetland Wings and other Wild Things program. This age-appropriate curriculum focuses on connecting children with their natural world. Parents and teachers rave about this engaging education program. “I really liked having this class for my 3-year old.” “A very fun program, my son loves that bird refuge!” The naturalists from the Ogden Nature Center an integral part of the Wetland Wings program; they bring the lessons to life!  For more information, download the Wetland Wings flyer.

The Refuge is a GREAT place for scouting groups of all levels to learn, explore and experience the outdoors. The Refuge is unfortunately not offering any Ranger led scout programs at this time, but we have excellent resources available for pack and den leaders such as scout folders, scout scavenger hunts & birding activities,  and Jr. Ranger backpacks.