Due to the federal government shutdown, this event has been cancelled. For more information, please visit: www.doi.gov/shutdown.
Turnbull NWR invites the public to join refuge staff for its annual fall community-supported tree planting day.
This year’s event takes place on October 4, from 9 am through 1 pm. It is a celebration of both National Wildlife Refuge Week, which celebrates the great network of lands and waters that conserves and protects Americans’ precious wildlife heritage, and National Public Lands Day (NPLD), which is the largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. This year's theme, "Our Home Outdoors," emphasizes the importance of public lands as more than just beautiful landscapes; they are essential places for gathering, learning, healing and building connections. Volunteer efforts help ensure these cherished areas remain vibrant, healthy and accessible for generations to come.
Unlike previous years’ events, which have focused on restoration efforts along the Pine Creek drainage adjacent to Refuge Headquarters, this year’s event is taking place in the Jolly Jack unit of the refuge, located off Cheney-Spangle Road. Please follow these GPS coordinates to locate parking.
This area was added to the Refuge in 2019 and holds great potential for migratory waterfowl habitat as well as other species such as Elk and Moose.
To reiterate, this event will be taking place away from Refuge HQ.
Volunteers will spend a half day assisting refuge staff planting native trees such as aspen, hawthorn, serviceberry, and cottonwood in various plots across the Jolly Jack unit of Turnbull NWR. These plantings have been a regular occurrence on the refuge for the past two decades.
These planting sessions are family-friendly and open to all ages. Large groups are welcome with advance notice. Participants are asked to wear appropriate clothing (long pants, closed toe shoes) and provide their own food and water. Refuge staff will provide all the planting equipment, including gloves. No prior experience is necessary to volunteer.
The Friends of Turnbull NWR will be providing light refreshments.
To RSVP for the event, please visit this link: https://forms.office.com/g/X8QtjNcWWg
For more information about volunteering at Turnbull NWR, please contact Ranger Josh, Visitor Services Manager, at joshua_contois@fws.gov or (509)-559-3034.
To learn more about National Wildlife Refuge Week, please visit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife website.
To learn more about National Public Lands Day, please visit the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) website.