• About Us

• Contact Us

Welcome

Ridgefield NWR has a total of 5,150 acres of marshes, grasslands and woodlands. Preservation of the natural Columbia River floodplain is the management objective of the Carty (2-mile self guided hiking trail) Roth and Ridgeport Dairy units. The River 'S' (4.2 mile auto tour route and 1.2 mile seasonal hiking trail) and Bachelor Island units are managed to maximize habitat for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife.

The refuge was established (along with 3 other refuges in the Willamette Valley of Oregon) in 1965, in response to the violent earthquake of 1964 in Alaska, that impacted the nesting habitat of dusky Canada geese. The establishment of these Refuges were an effort to secure vital winter habitat for dusky Canada geese and wintering waterfowl.

Stately sandhill cranes, shorebirds, and a great variety of songbirds stop at the refuge during spring and fall migrations. Some bird species such as mallards, great blue herons, and red-tailed hawks are year-round residents that nest on the refuge. Black-tailed deer are the largest mammal on the refuge. Coyote, raccoon, skunk, beaver, river otter and brush rabbits are occasionally seen.

Current Events

The Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge post e-newsletters and calendars of current events. Please follow this link to learn more about current events Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Open House

An Open House is scheduled to discuss future site design for the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Contractors from Miller/Hull Partnership will present concept design and placements of a pedestrian bridge, office/Nature Center, parking lots, and connecting trails. The Open House will be held at the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N. Main Avenue, on November 18, 2009 starting at 4:30 pm. Design alternatives will be formally presented at 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm with the time between the presentations reserved for your questions and comments.

GeoAdventure

GeoAdventure is a free group activity kit that includes a GPS unit and a bag of clues, designed for ages 12 and up. Great for scout troops, families, and other groups. Follow this link to find out more: GeoAdventure

Comprehensive Conservation Plan

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is preparing a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA). The Refuge is presenting preliminary versions of four management scenarios (alternatives) being considered for the future management of the Refuge. These preliminary draft alternatives and other planning information are discussed at the following link: Planning Update #3 (1.9 mb). Comments on the preliminary alternatives can be sent by e-mail to FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov, please include 'Ridgefield CCP Alternatives' in the subject line. Comments can also be faxed to (360) 887-4109. Comments need to be received by April 10th. A public open house meeting will be held in Ridgefield, WA on March 26, 2009, to discuss the preliminary draft alternatives. The Meeting will be held at the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N. Main Ave., from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Waterfowl Hunting

Waterfowl hunting starts on October 17th. Please follow this link for more information: Waterfowl Hunting.