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.

Second Round of NEEF Every Day Grants – pre-proposal due May 25

The Foundation awards Every Day Grants to strengthen Friends by building organizational capacity. There will be two rounds of Every Day capacity building grants in 2012: 25 grants of up to $5,000 each will be awarded in April/May, and 25 will be awarded in July/Aug.

For the second round of grants, pre-proposals are due Friday, May 25, 2012. The invitation for full proposals will be in mid-June with grants awarded in late July. More information at neefusa.org/grants/every_day_grants.htm or contact grantsadmin@neefusa.org

Indigo blue bunting at Supawna Meadows Refuge, NJ	Anna Harris, vision implementation coordinator
Credit: Steve Maslowski	Credit: Courtesy of Anna Harris
Friends organizations have helped create a laminated guide to common species at Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, WI; collaborated with Carneys Point Generating Plan to start a new series of hands-on science field trips for high school students at Supawna Meadows Refuge, NJ; organized Mississippi State University fraternity pledges to volunteer at Noxubee Refuge, MS; and initiated jitney tours of Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge, NJ. Read more here.	Anna Harris, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service economist, will oversee implementation of Conserving the Future, the 10–year strategic vision for the Refuge System. Read more here.
See the full issue of Friends Forward Spring 2012 here.