Ways to Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love. National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of urban and coastal communities to make a lasting difference. Find out how you can help make American lands healthier and communities stronger while doing something personally satisfying.
Volunteering
Discover for yourself what tens of thousands of volunteers have learned: Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fun and rewarding in many ways. Master new skills. Meet new friends. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow. Check out our station's latest volunteer opportunities on volunteer.gov.
Our Partners
Nature does not recognize human-made boundaries. In order to conserve our natural and cultural resources effectively, we must work with others to bridge these boundaries. Partnerships foster creative solutions to challenging situations and often the results are greater than the sum of the parts. Learn more about our local partners.
The Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge works with the following partners. They play a very important role in helping the refuge accomplish its wildlife management and conservation mission.
Outreach
Environmental Education Programs
Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge provides free environmental education programs for students ranging in age from Preschool to college. Refuge staff work with educators to provide programs that meet the current curriculum needs of a classroom and topics can range from environmental awareness to animal identification. The free presentations can be done at the school or arrangements can be made for students to schedule a field trip to the refuge. We understand that many school budgets are slim, and we want to find a method to tailor this unique learning experience no matter what the budget allows. Again, the programs are free and we encourage educators to reach out to us and discuss the possibilities.
Refuge Field Trips
Field trips to the refuge can include a walk through the wetlands where students can see wildlife, learn about the importance of wetlands, water quality issues, wildlife conservation issues and more.
Okmulgee County 'Archery in the Schools' Day
The refuge hosts this event in the Spring every year. Designed for 4th-12th graders, the curriculum covers archery history, safety, techniques, equipment, mental concentration and self-improvement. Lunch is provided for the students, and awards are given out for top archers.
Oklahoma Wildlife Expo
This event is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and is generally held the last Saturday and Sunday in September at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Anyone with an interest in wildlife and outdoor activities alike will enjoy the activities and booths. There is something for everyone, whether your hobby is fishing, hunting, kayaking, falconry, photography, or hiking. Be sure to stop by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s booth and enjoy the interactive activities!
National Wildlife Refuge Week Celebration
Celebrate your National Wildlife Refuge System! A week of fun wildlife-related tours, talks and walks. This event is typically held the second full week of October. Check back to this page or the Events Calendar for details.
International Migratory Bird Day
On the second Saturday of May the refuge participates in this international day of celebrating migratory birds. The education program highlights the migration of nearly 350 species of migratory birds between nesting habitats in North America and non-breeding grounds in Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. An informative talk is given relating to migratory birds, and visitors then head out on the refuge to participate in bird watching.
National Public Lands Day (NPLD)
The nation's largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands in the United States. NPLD is typically held on the last Saturday in September but check back for details. This popular event is a great volunteer opportunity and a fun way you can help national wildlife refuges!
Fishing Programs
Do you love to fish? Help teach others with our fishing program.
Education Programs
Open the door to a potentially life-changing experience. If you land a student internship, a fellowship or a volunteer opportunity at a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge , fish hatchery or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site, you’re bound to come away with new insights and excitement about conservation.