What Friends Do

We promote conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and engage in educational, charitable, scientific, and civic activities that increase public awareness and assist management in accomplishing Refuge goals.

Friends Accomplishments of 2018

Volunteer Support:
• Hosted the volunteer recognition banquet
• Provided lunch for volunteer training
• Sponsored mid-season volunteer picnic
• Provided food for end-of-season volunteer picnic

Environmental Education:
Co-sponsored programs with Refuge staff and the Dungeness River Audubon Center about:
• Marine Mammals
• Insects
• Leave No Trace
• Native plants
• Geology

Environmental Restoration: (supervised by Refuge staff)
• Removed non-native plants from the Dawley property, Protection Island, San Juan Island archipelago, Graveyard Spit and the forest above Dungeness Spit
• Planted native species, including golden paintbrush on Protection Island
• Monitored and removed green crabs
• Watered garry oak saplings in new oak savanna near Refuge office
• Worked on fencing and other preparation of oak savanna to create a native plant meadow

Refuge Protection:
• Worked to protect our Refuge and refuges across the country
• Commercial Oyster farm in Dungeness Refuge tidelands
• Dungeness County Park
• Atlantic Salmon Farming
• International Migratory Bird Treaty
• Land and Water Conservation Fund
• 2019 federal budget, National Wildlife Refuge System appropriation
• Invitations extended to County Commissioner Mark Ozias and U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer to visit the Refuge

Plans for the Future: (in partnership with Refuge staff)
• Video on the restoration of Protection Island
• Discover Nature App
• Dungeness Discovery Day

Donations:
• Refuge entrance volunteers for handled donations and pin sales, including suggestion to visitors that their change be a donation to Friends.

Goals

Volunteer Support
• Provide lunch for volunteer training in the spring.
• Provide food for the end-of-season picnic.

Environmental Education
• Planning and assist Refuge staff with Dungeness Discovery Day.
• Protection Island video.
• Discover Nature smartphone app.
• Plan and assist with educational events or lectures.

Environmental Restoration
• Monitor and remove green crab.
• Remove non-native plants and plant native species on Refuge property.
• Assist with growing new native plants for future planting (garry oak, golden paintbrush, etc.).

Fundraising
• Obtain grants for funding the Discover Nature app and Protection Island video.
• Engage with community to develop event sponsor relationships.

Outreach
• Publish four newsletters.
• Develop new web site.

Refuge Protection
• Inform public about harmful effects of fireworks near the Refuge.
• Inform volunteers about developments that may impact the Refuge via newsletter and email.
• Engage with local government officials.

 

Want to help Friends reach these goals? You can make a donation or join us.