Ways to Get Involved
Whether you are looking to volunteer, join a Friends Group, or learn about internship programs, Conte Refuge offers a number of ways to contribute to our conservation mission.
Our Partners
Friends Groups
Connecticut River Watershed Partnership
Formed in 2005, the Friends of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (Friends of Conte), now the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership (CRWP), is a diverse coalition of over 70 public and private organizations and individuals dedicated to forging partnerships that benefit wildlife, people, and environmental quality in the Connecticut River Watershed. CRWP provides a forum and foundation for organizations of all sizes and types with varied missions related to the watershed, including land trusts, watershed associations, federal and state agencies, regional planning commissions, tribal organizations, municipalities, and other interests. Our partnership believes in the benefits of working together to accomplish goals in service of the Watershed and together we aspire to foster collective, inclusive, and shared vision to achieve positive impact across the region. To get involved contact Markelle Smith: Friendsofconte@gmail.com
Learn more about the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership
Friends of Pondicherry
The Pondicherry Division is fortunate to have the support of a strong and dedicated friends group. Members visit the Refuge nearly every day of the year interacting with visitors, identifying maintenance needs, monitoring wildlife, conducting educational workshops, etc. If you are interested in participating or would like more information please contact Friends President David Govatski: david.govatski@gmail.com.
Friends of the Nulhegan
The Friends of the Nulhegan serves as an advocate and supporter of the Nulhegan Basin Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Visit their website to learn more: www.friendsofthenulhegan.com.
Friends of Fannie Stebbins Refuge
The Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge includes the largest unfragmented area of natural floodplain vegetation in the Connecticut River Watershed. It is a 370 acre unit of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge located in the meadows are of more than 1,000 areas of forest, meadow, ponds and marshes in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. The Friends of Stebbins supports preservation of the natural plants and wildlife of the refuge and offers opportunities for people to enjoy the birds, trails and natural environment. For more information about the Friends of Stebbins, program and volunteering contact: friendsofstebbins@gmail.com
Friends of Salmon River
The Friends of Salmon River is comprised of a group of people with strong ties to the division and Haddam Neck. Members have actively worked with Refuge staff on public road maintenance, invasive plant control, and interacting with visitors and neighbors. If you would like more information about this friends group, please contact the Refuge Manager at 413.548.8002 x113 or Dean_Rhine@fws.gov.
Outreach
Outreach, environmental education and interpretation are a large part of the Conte's Visitor Service Program. In addition to our established programs and partnerships, we offer individual programs to meet a range of outdoor education needs. To learn more about visitor service programs contact the refuge at: Jennifer_Lapis@fws.gov or 413-835-5541.
Learn more about Conte's Urban Wildlife Conservation Program
Learn more about our Cops & Bobbers, Hooks & Ladders Youth Fishing Programs
Education Programs
Learn more about opportunities for youth internships on National Wildlife Refuges:
Student Conservation Association
American Conservation Experience
Silvio O. Conte offers a variety of environmental education programs for schools, youth groups, families and other organized groups. To learn more contact Jennifer Lapis at Jennifer_Lapis@fws.gov or 413-835-5541.