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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 2018)
Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 845 Ocean Park, WA 98640 FRIENDS OF WILLAPA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE PROGRAMS FOURTH GRADE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Every year, the Environmental Education Program visits 4th grade classrooms in Pacific County schools. Students learn vocabulary, wildlife facts and observation skills. Staff and volunteers bring wildlife samples into the classroom with hands-on lessons about the Refuge System, refuge habitats, adaptations, web of life, and change. The program finishes each year with a field trip to the Refuge. JUNIOR DUCK STAMP PROGRAM Since 1998, the Junior Duck Stamp Program has taught thousands of kids about ducks, geese and swans and the wetlands where they live. The Friends help local students to participate with educational materials, in-class presentations by Friends of Willapa volunteers, and a chance to enter the annual Junior Duck Stamp Contest. SCHOLARSHIPS To promote the preservation, awareness, and appreciation of our environment, the Friends offer college scholarships to students pursuing careers in fish and wildlife management, environmental education, conservation, and related fields. SOUTH BAY TRAIL The South Bay trailhead is off Sandridge Road at the east end of 95th Street. Fifteen parking spots, a viewing area and kiosk were constructed in 2016 to provide an access point for viewing, hiking and birding along the South Bay Trail. WILLAPA NATURE NOTES The Friends team with Coast Community Radio (KMUN) to produce a weekly radio program, Willapa Nature Notes. Tune in to learn about local species and habitats. Or listen to Willapa Nature Notes podcasts on KMUN. WONDERS OF WILLAPA - Wings Over Willapa The first Wonders of Willapa program ran in 2015 to support restoration projects on the South Bay. In 2018 the program expanded to a three-day Wings Over Willapa bird festival, offering diverse programs around (and on) Willapa Bay for the public. Mission: Our mission is to provide assistance to Refuge programs and to enhance awareness and appreciation of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. Member Services and Volunteerism: The primary purpose of the Friends group is to support the goals and activities of the Refuge, and this is dependent upon a dedicated group of volunteers. Our volunteer members are the backbone of the Friends, as they participate in community beach clean-up, trail maintenance, radio program production and newsletter contributions. Foremost of the volunteer programs is the annual 4th Grade Environmental Education program held in the spring, and community outreach events such as Wings Over Willapa in the fall, and the staffing of information booths at Garlic Festival, Jazz and Oysters, Kite Festival, Ilwaco Saturday Market and the Long Beach Farmers Market on Fridays. To show appreciation to all members of the Friends, the Refuge staff hold an annual barge excursion to Long Island, and conduct guided tours to the Don Bonker Old Growth Cedar Grove. This is usually in July. Want to be active in the out-of-doors? Join us! CONTACT INFORMATION PO Box 845 Ocean Park, WA 98640 (360) 484-3482 info@friendsofwillaparefuge.org https://friendsofwillaparefuge.org/ SPONSORED BY: South Pacific County Community Foundation GIVING BACK 2018 • NONPROFIT RESOURCE GUIDE • 13
