Ways to Get Involved

Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to join us in fulfilling our mission by volunteering. Refuge volunteers help maintain and collect data on wood duck nesting structures, conduct wildlife surveys and inventories, harvest native prairie and wetland seeds, remove sapling trees and provide interpretation. Contact the refuge at 515-928-2523 for more information.

Our Partners

Nature does not recognize human-made boundaries. In order to conserve our natural 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:

Friends of Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Friends of Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge serves as the primary refuge partner and their mission is to support environmental, educational and recreational activities and programs offered at the refuge. The goals Friends of Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge are to:

  • Increase public awareness and appreciation of the refuge
  • Encourage public participation in prairie pothole preservation
  • Promote public use and enjoyment of the refuge

Other Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge partners include:

  • Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
  • Ducks Unlimited
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Pheasants Forever

Outreach

Refuge staff members are available to come and speak to your group. Programs are available on a variety of topics concerning the refuge, plants and animals living in the area or other topics.