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image credit: Oca Hoeflein, 2018, 2nd place Landscape Category, Pro Photo Supply Refuge Photo Contest | |
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The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
The latest updates | August 2024
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Refuge Open Hours:
5:30 am – 9:00 pm
You can enter both RNWR units by paying an Entrance Fee or using an eligible Entrance Pass.
Please note: Bicycles, off-road vehicles, & ATV driving are not permitted on the Refuge.
Entrance Fee:
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Online: NEW! Easily pay your entrance fee (or purchase an entrance pass) before you visit, by using recreation.gov.
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In-Person: $3.00 daily per vehicle, or up to four adults on foot. Cash or check only (for now!).
Entrance Pass Options:
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Online: New! Easily buy an Annual Pass before you visit, using recreation.gov.
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In-person (or by mail): Purchase An Annual Refuge Pass or eligible Federal Lands Pass.
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$15.00 for an Annual Ridgefield NWR pass. Purchase at Ridgefield NWR Admin Office, M-F, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm; by mail; or place cash/check in an official fee envelope. Complete details HERE.
- Become a Friends Member at $60 or above.
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Join here! Opt-in when joining, and an Annual Refuge Pass will be mailed to you.
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Use your current Federal Lands Pass. Check HERE to see the list of eligible passes. Note: State Passes are *not valid for entry to the Refuge.
The Ridgefield NWR Admin Office is open weekdays, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Office phone number: 360-887-4106.
-To verify staff availability, please call the office before you visit the Refuge.
-For general inquiries, please call the office between 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
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Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex News & Updates
Kiwa Trail Now Open...Friday, August 2, 2024
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MINOR CORRECTION: The Kiwa Trail will open to the public on Friday, August 2, 2024, at 8 AM!
For the fifth year in a row, the Kiwa Trail opening was (happily!) pushed back due to Sandhill Crane Nesting activity. Biologists have finally given the go-ahead to clean up the trail and open it to the public! Hit the trail in August and September, and during BirdFest & Bluegrass, October 5, 2024!
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Community Nature Center Construction Continues
When visiting the Carty Unit, plan ahead by checking the website for closures, bring water, and pack out what you pack in. Temporary restrooms in the parking lot are the only option on weekends. Please follow all signage, for your safety and that of the construction crew.
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New Refuge Maps
We discovered a map developed by HOPE Dementia that was both beautiful and user-friendly. We reached out to them and said, "we love your map and would like to make it our official map, but would need to extend some trails. Would you like to partner with us?"
They were thrilled and we ended up using the creative team they hired, to make new maps for Ridgefield, Steigerwald Lake, Tualatin River, and Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuges. Now the maps have interactive activities, clear mileage, and neat site features to discover. Beyond that, the Ridgefield team now partner with HOPE Dementia on a "Meet Me at the Refuge" series where we offer special site visits to their participants and caregivers, with nature walks and a beautiful day on the refuge.
-Juliette Fernandez, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex Manager
Download and print ahead of time, or pick one up when the Admin office is open.
Learn more about Art|Nature|Place - the creative team behind the new maps.
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BirdFest & Bluegrass 2024
COMING SOON! The official schedule will be published soon, with links to details to plan your day of festival fun on Saturday, October 5th! Join us to celebrate 25 years of appreciation for birds, our Refuge, and our community. Bookmark our pages or follow our social channels to get info right when it comes out.
Some event registrations are already open, head to this page to find all the links, downloads, parking details, and more.
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Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest 2024 | |
Share your favorite Ridgefield Refuge photos in various categories (including youth!) for a chance to win prizes from Pro Photo Supply and Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Submissions Due: September 3.
A gallery of the 2023 winners is available in the Ridgefield Refuge Administration building. This is where the 2024 winners will also be hosted, starting on October 5, 2024.
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From the Friends
Join the Board to Shape the Future of Wildlife Conservation
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We're seeking motivated individuals to join our Board of Directors, to help guide our fundraising efforts, ensure robust board governance, and represent the vibrant community that surrounds our beloved refuge. Your expertise and dedication can make a significant impact on the preservation of this precious habitat for generations to come.
Interested? Let's chat! Email us to explore how your talents can help preserve this natural treasure.
| Digital Membership Cards Now Available | |
Say goodbye to paper overload, waste, and extra expenses - we're switching things up by zapping your digital membership card straight to your email inbox.
We teamed up with Zeffy to dodge those pesky platform fees, making sure every bit of your generosity goes straight to the Refuge!
Team up with us to bring the Community Nature Center vision to life! Help us outfit a space where nature, education, and wildlife party together for generations to come! Get all the deets HERE.
| If you are already a member, you will receive the new digital card when you renew next! | | | | |
Check out what species are being seen on the Refuge here.
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Ridgefield First Saturdays
Day of Festivals
August 3, 2024
Learn about how your City works at City Days, watch Dragon Boat Races at the Paddle For Life Races, shop the Children's Entrepreneur Market along with the Farmers Market and First Saturday Vendors, and attend the Ridgefield Art Association Ridgefield Forest Fair!
Get the full schedule here
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Friends Amazon Wishlist- support our work and the Refuge's initiatives. Visit for chances to contribute to all our projects. Whether it's habitat restoration or BirdFest & Bluegrass, we'll feature items essential to reaching our objectives. You purchase the item, and Amazon takes care of the rest. Get started, HERE.
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When you link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to the Friends, you help us earn donations from Fred Meyer Community Rewards. It's easy to sign up. Just click here. Or search, Friends of Ridgefield NWR #PK822
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Check out our online store to find the Chinookan Steller's Jay design, BirdFest & Bluegrass button art, and the 2023 Photo Contest winning images, on tote bags, sweatshirts, t-shirts, different mug styles, and photo cards! | |
Psst...if you love a good
jigsaw puzzle...
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Join the Friends of Ridgefield NWR Board for their monthly meeting. Meetings start at 5:00 PM every second Monday of the month and will be virtual, or in-person with a virtual option. Contact us to join in!
Board Meeting Dates:
August 12
September 9
October 15*
November 11
December 9
(*moved due to federal holiday or special circumstance)
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Become a Business Alliance Member
As a member of the Friends of the RNWR Business Alliance, you invest in one of our urban metropolitan area’s most unique and diverse natural and cultural resources. Find out more
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Business Alliance Members: | |
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Granting Organizations & Partners: | |
Want regular updates on Refuge events & happenings? Follow the Friends on social media by clicking the logos below to stay connected even when you are off the Refuge.
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