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