Ways to Get Involved
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.
Refuge Friends organizations support national wildlife refuges, whether they work with a single refuge, a refuge complex or an entire state. Friends members are crucial to conserving and protecting our nation’s wildlife and teaching millions of Americans that their actions today determine the conservation legacy of tomorrow.
Individuals also volunteer their time and ideas each year to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Whether they work on the land, at home, in a visitor center or with youth, they contribute to the conservation mission that reaches back more than a century. Become a volunteer or Refuge Friend to contribute your strength on behalf of America’s natural resources.
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.
Volunteers at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge provide their talents and energy to help in many different ways. They come as individuals, families, and groups. They bring skills they already have or learn new ones. They gain knowledge about the refuge and become part of a community of people dedicated to the stewardship of wildlife and natural landscapes and to connecting people with those landscapes.
Many opportunities exist for you to donate your time and talents for conservation: from removing invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species to answering visitor inquiries at the visitor center, from hiking trails with your BARK Ranger dog to helping with school programs, volunteers are invaluable to refuge programs! If you have questions about the volunteer program, would like details about what opportunities are available, or would like an application, please email deerflat@fws.gov. After receiving your application, we will schedule a meet and greet so we can get to know you a little more, you can learn more about volunteer opportunities, and we can see where the best match may be for you.
Volunteer Opportunities
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 National Wildlife Refuge System is committed to building partnerships that encourage conservation and protection of our natural and cultural resources. Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge works with multiple partners throughout the region and the Treasure Valley.
Friends of Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge
The Friends of Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose members share the common bond of enjoying the refuge and wanting to protect and nurture it's resources. Their mission is: To promote, protect, and provide resources to preserve and enhance Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
Whether you use the refuge for wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting, fishing, or other recreation, you might want to consider joining the Friends. The group raises funds through membership fees and other activities and uses those funds to support the preservation and protection of the resources of Deer Flat NWR.
Other partners
- Non-governmental organizations like Southwest Idaho Birders Association, Deer Flat Chapter of Idaho Master Naturalists, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.
- Educational institutions like Caldwell School District, College of Western Idaho and University of Idaho.
- Local, state and federal agencies including Canyon County Parks, Cultural and Natural Resources; Idaho Department of Fish and Game; U.S. Geological Survey; and Bureau of Land Management.
- The men, women and children who live near and use the refuge and experience all that the natural surroundings have to offer, as well as those in the Treasure Valley whose lives are impacted by the protection of healthy populations of fish and wildlife species.
Some partnerships are well established, but there are many opportunities for further growth and for reaching new refuge partners. We recognize that we face major challenges in managing refuge wildlife and habitats and in providing equitable, accessible recreational and educational opportunities for all members of local communities. We look forward to working with a diverse set of partners to address these challenges together.
Outreach
We are building a community outreach program that strives to reduce barriers and increase opportunities to connect urban audiences with the nature in their neighborhoods. We are looking for ways to partner with community organizations to offer a variety of outdoor education and recreation opportunities, both on the refuge and in the community, ranging from library demonstrations and community events to fishing and nature journaling programs to habitat restoration. Through heightened awareness, we inspire visitors to take positive actions supporting refuge goals and the National Wildlife Refuge System mission.
Through formal, curriculum-based environmental education tied to state education standards, we advance awareness, understanding, appreciation and knowledge of key fish, wildlife, plant and their habitats.
Refuge staff members may be available to speak with your group on- or off-site on a variety of refuge-related topics.
Education Programs
Visit School Programs to learn more about our educational programs.