President's Perch

by Cheryl Hart, President

This month, we had the opportunity to take three FWS Region 1 staff on a tour of our reguges. Christine Ogura, Acting Chief of Refuges; Claire McClory, Planning Branch Chief; and Rachel Esralew, Water Resources Branch Chief-Supervisory Hydrologist spent a full day touring both refuges.

Along with Rebecca Gómez Chuck, Project Manager, and Eva Kristofik, Deputy Manager, we visited the Tonquin unit so that our guests have a clear picture of what would be destroyed by the development of a quarry right next to that unit of the refuge. From there, we took them to see the new trail and work that has been done on Chicken Creek—if you haven’t been on the seasonal trail lately, it is amazing how much that has changed, even since this spring. And we ended with a visit to Wapato Lake NWR where Eva and Rebecca discussed the development of the public access plan for that refuge.

We really appreciate having our Regional leaders interested in learning more about the work both FWS and Friends are doing here at Tualatin River and Wapato NWRs and enjoyed having the opportunity to show them the special places that we work to protect.

It’s Robin Hood Days in Sherwood, the third weekend in July. The refuge and Friends will walk in the parade on Saturday. Connecting our refuge with the surrounding communities is such an important part of the work Friends does and this is a fun way to remind community members of this precious resource in their own neighborhood.

The board held a planning retreat last month and is now embarking on a long range (2-3 year) plan for our Friends organization. We know that the ambitious goals we are setting will require more work than the board alone can accomplish. We are looking for interested members to help in a variety of ways by serving on committees and helping with the activities we are planning. If you are interested in becoming more involved with Friends, there is almost certainly a way you could help. We’d be happy to talk to you about the opportunities to become involved with Friends and the refuge. You can contact us by calling 503-625-5944 ext 15227 and leaving a message.

I’ll see you at the refuge!

-Cheryl Hart

Focus of Friends

by Bonnie Anderson, ED

I was recently interviewed by Washington County for video on a grant the Oregon Chinese Coalition received. The grant was to to show how an organization helped the community cope with mental health challenges during the pandemic. The OCC partnered with the Friends and the Refuge on numerous projects that included the Youth Art Contest and planting events on the Refuge.

I spoke about the goal of the art contest, to have students disconnect from everyday pressures they face and connect with the natural world around them. We asked them to express that connection through art. Each art submission was accompanied by a narrative, and as I read each statement, it reaffirmed my belief in the importance of spending time in nature.  

I encourage each of you to get out on the Refuge and enjoy this place that is so special to each of us and I challenge each of us to find a way to support the Friends and the Refuge. We are fortunate to have the TRNWR so close and accessible to a large urban population.

It's always a busy time on the Refuge for the Friends! 

Hope to see you out on the trails 

-Bonnie Anderson