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Making Tracks
The Newsletter of the Friends of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Joyfully Connecting our Community with the Wonder of the Refuge
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Presidents Perch
by Cheryl Hart
Friends President
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As I write this, it is Veterans’ Day Weekend, and I am thinking about the wonderful event that we hosted at our refuge earlier this year, to honor women Veterans. It was wonderful to have our beautiful refuge and its resources to offer as a setting for this event. This is what being an urban refuge and our mission to connect people with nature bring to our community every day. We’ll be doing a lot more of this serving our community yet this year and in the coming year.
For example, mark your calendar for our first Conservation Conversation speaker at 6:00 on November 20. Our speaker will be Erin Forrester, a certified Oregon Naturalist with a passion for dragonflies. This year, the first 15 people who arrive will be eligible to register for a dragonfly walk with Erin on May 31, 2025. You can register here for this event. This presentation is free, but donations are always welcome!
Our Nature’s Overlook Store Annual Holiday Open House will be November 30 and December 1. Kick off your Christmas shopping with a stop at the store during our open house where members will receive a 20% discount on their purchases (Not a member? You can sign up online or at the store). We will also have our Holiday toy drive that benefits Sherwood SHARE and Greenway Elementary School in Beaverton. You can purchase toys, puzzles, books, whatever you think a child might love to get and donate them to which ever charity you choose or, why not both? We will also be participating in the Sherwood Chamber of Commerce Christmas Passport program so be sure to get a stamp in your passport before you leave.
Later this spring, we will host the third annual Youth Climate Change Summit. A committee of students is already hard at work planning this event. If you know of a young conservationist in the area who might like to help with this or a group that would like to participate, please let Bonnie know. This year’s Summit will take place on April 26 which is the same date as our Native Plant Sale. You won’t want to miss these two events. Get them on your calendar now!
These are just a few of the events that Friends will be sharing with our community this year. Please let us know if you are interested in helping with any of these. We are always looking for more volunteers. We can do even more with your help.
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Focus on Friends
by Bonnie Anderson
Executive Director
Last month, I had the privilege of attending two significant community gatherings: the Tree For All Meeting and the Building Bridges of Understanding Coalition Meeting. While these events differed in focus, they shared a common thread: a commitment to collaboration, community, and environmental stewardship.
Tree For All: Nurturing Our
Watershed
The Tree For All coalition brings together conservation organizations and local agencies to protect the Tualatin River watershed. Our Friends of the Refuge have been a proud member since the beginning. At this year's meeting, we discussed the latest developments in the watershed, the impact of climate change, and strategies for community engagement. Keynote Dr. Vivek Shandas of Portland State, highlighted the crucial role of tree canopies in urban and suburban areas.
| TREE FOR ALL Gathering THPRD Nature Park | |
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Building Bridges: Fostering Understanding
The 9th Annual Building Bridges of Understanding Conference provided a platform for law enforcement, government officials, and social justice and community organizations to come together. The event emphasized the importance of confronting bias and promoting healing and understanding within our community. Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton's keynote address underscored the collective responsibility we share in creating a more equitable society.
A Shared Commitment
Both events offered valuable opportunities to connect with partners, build new relationships, and share information about the Refuge. It's inspiring to be part of a community that values collaboration, environmental stewardship, and social justice.
See ya on the Refuge
-Bonnie
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Friends Awarded $100k TREE Grant
The Friends were recently awarded the highly completive Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District's TREE grant for restoration efforts at the Oleson Unit of the Refuge. Our recent Annual Meeting included a tour of this site and an overview of the restoration plan to happen over the next three years. Our grant was fully funded for the maximum amount available at $100,000. The Friends are an important resource for the refuge to be able to continue their restoration efforts. We will be planning multiple volunteer work parties over the next few years to help with these efforts.
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Qualified Charitable Giving
As the year draws to a close, many individuals reflect on their financial goals
and charitable intentions. For those aged 70½ or older, one powerful option for making a charitable impact while also managing taxable income is through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs).
What is a QCD?
A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from an individual retirement account (IRA) to a qualified charity such as Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. It allows individuals to donate up to $105,000 per year directly from their IRAs without incurring federal income tax on the distribution. For individuals that need to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) a QCD can offers a significant opportunity to maximize philanthropic efforts while minimizing tax liability.
- It’s essential to note that QCDs can only be made from traditional IRAs and some inherited IRAs, but not from other retirement accounts such as 401(k)s or Roth IRAs.
- Documentation is key. Retain records to substantiate that the transaction
was a QCD for tax purposes.
As you evaluate your philanthropic goals, consider the power of a QCD to
amplify your impact and help shape a better future for the causes you
cherish such as OUR Public Lands. The USFWS Regional shortfall of 1.4-million dollars is drastically effecting Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex this fiscal year, a QCD could be a win/win.
If you have any questions on the above strategy contact Rebecca Semper at Blue Water Wealth: Rebecca.semper@bluewaterwealth.com or the financial advisor, you are working with.
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Blue Water Wealth is proud to be a Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge sponsor.
Blue Water Wealth is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Registration does not imply that a certain level or skill or training has been obtained by our firm or our associated persons. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Blue Water Wealth and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Blue Water Wealth unless a client service agreement is in place.
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Bowl Your Way to a Happy Thanksgiving!
Join us for a fun-filled night of bowling and camaraderie! We’ll meet at Langer’s around 5 PM to grab dinner and then hit the lanes.
RSVP on our website to help us form teams. The highest score of the night will win a fantastic prize!
Let’s make this a memorable night together. We hope to see you there!
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Thank You to All that Attended the Friends of the Refuge Annual Membership Meeting and Welcome to our New Board Members | |
A Letter from
Desirée Sorenson-Groves
President & CEO
National Wildlife Refuge Association
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Dear Refuge Supporters,
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge Association is to conserve America’s wildlife heritage for present and future generations through strategic programs that protect, promote, and enhance the National Wildlife Refuge System and the landscapes beyond its boundaries. This mission is our north star and guides our work every day.
Our nation’s wildlife and natural spaces face unprecedented challenges— pressures from climate change, habitat loss, and development threaten our natural world. The National Wildlife Refuge System is one of our most powerful tools for addressing these challenges and supporting wildlife and habitat resilience. From desert dunes to coastal marshes, from Arctic tundra to mountains and forests, refuges are our natural legacy and belong to everyone.
For 50 years, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has built a bipartisan coalition of refuge advocates and supporters who share our commitment to protecting wildlife, expanding conservation, and ensuring public lands are accessible to all Americans. We are committed to forging a future where the Refuge System’s role in protecting wildlife and habitat is recognized and prioritized by leaders across the political spectrum.
Our Commitment to A Shared Future
As we look to the future, we know that every American— regardless of political affiliation— wants clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and thriving natural spaces to explore. A majority of Americans also believe in the importance of biodiversity and want to protect the irreplaceable wildlife that calls national wildlife refuges home. This is a shared responsibility and priority that transcends politics and speaks to our nation’s values.
Think about this… the United States was the first nation to establish a system of public lands and waters dedicated specifically to wildlife and habitat conservation. Today, at 572 national wildlife refuges strong, plus five marine national monuments covering over 750 million acres of protected waters, the National Wildlife Refuge System remains the largest network of lands and waters in the world focused on wildlife and habitat protection.
That is something to be profoundly proud of as a nation. We must hold our elected leaders and government accountable to ensure that this incredible legacy not only survives, but thrives— for our generation, for future generations, and for the diverse communities that make up America.
National wildlife refuges reflect what is best about America: places where anyone can connect with nature, find peace, and appreciate the intrinsic value of our natural world. This vision of America unites rather than divides. The Refuge System is a promise to future generations that we will protect our natural legacy and that we value these places not only for their ecological and recreational benefits but also for the sense of identity that they give us as Americans.
What We’ll Continue To Do Together
In the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 50th year, we will seek common ground and build on the strengths of the Refuge System by engaging all Americans who care about conservation. We Will:
- Defend Environmental Protections: Our team of advocates and policy experts will work to safeguard essential laws that protect the Refuge System and the wildlife it calls home. We will ensure strong policies are upheld.
- Strengthen Local Partnerships & Support Refuge Friends Groups: Refuges are local— they are in your backyard and protect every type of habitat, from deserts and grasslands to marshes, tundra and coasts. The network of Refuge Friends groups and partnerships with local leaders is essential to the Refuge System’s success. These local champions bring vital support, raise awareness, and connect communities to the natural treasures in their own backyards.
- Promote Community Resilience & Inclusion: The Refuge System includes refuges in every state, accessible to every community. We will continue to welcome and uplift diverse voices in our conservation work to make sure that refuges are accessible, inclusive, and serve as gathering spaces for all Americans to enjoy nature.
- Advocate for Robust Staffing & Funding: The Refuge System relies on dedicated staff to manage and protect its diverse habitat and wildlife. Yet, many refuges face critical staffing shortages and limited resources, which hinder their ability to fulfill essential conservation goals. We will work tirelessly to advocate for increased federal funding and staffing support, ensuring that each refuge has personnel and resources needed to protect wildlife, maintain habitat, and provide recreational and educational opportunities for all Americans.
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The Friends Amazon Wishlist
Looking for a fast and easy way to help the Friends? Our new Amazon Wishlist will take you right to a list of much-needed items for the Friends office, special events, public programs, and volunteer work parties. Check back often, as we will update our list on a regular basis. All items are shipped directly to the Friends office at the Refuge. Thank you for your support!
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Click the picture to view. | |
Celebrate nature doing its thing! Squirrels can seem so pesky, especially when it comes to gardens, but they have a vital role in a functioning ecosystem. Check out this coloring sheet from our friends at Metro to learn more about a squirrel's benefit! | |
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Blue Bags Are Back In Stock- Pick Up In The Visitor Center
We Have Raised $1,658.56 towards our Annual Goal of $2,000.00 Last year we raised $1,783.90
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We know you will have lots of bottles and cans accumulating over the holidays- Stop by the Visitor Center and grab some Bottle Deposit Donation Bags- fill them up and drop them off at the collection site- Your donation goes to support the Friends of the Refuge. Help us meet or goal of $2,000 this year!
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An important notice from Oregon Bottle Drop about donations for the Friends program. Here's the key takeaway:
- Donations must be placed in the blue bags provided by the Friends, not in trash bags with a Friends' sticker.
- Remove any unrelated items (including trash) from the blue bag before drop-off to ensure your donation is counted.
Donate your cans and bottles to the Friends!
1. Stop by the Visitor Center and pick up Blue Bottle Drop Bags
2. Fill the bags up with cans- (only fill halfway if donating glass)
3. Drop off at your nearest Donation site
4. No need to wait in line- there is a drop off door just for you!
If you have your own Bottle Drop account you can also donate directly to The Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge from your account.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure the success of the Friends program and Oregon Bottle Drop's participation in it.
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Calling All Photographers
By Phyllis Millan
Let’s share the beauty of TRNWRC and other wild places through your pictures. Submit via email to:
FriendsPhoto@FriendsOfTualatinRefuge.org
Include your name, where the picture was taken, and any pertinent information.
Photo credit: Richard Schiedeman
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The Friends are dedicated to the restoration of this special place and providing outreach to the community so that they too can enjoy and protect Tualatin River NWRC. Please consider making an online donation here, so we can continue to provide these opportunities.
Bonnie
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This Week at Interior | November 15, 2024
This Week: Secretary Haaland joins veterans and servicemembers for the 27th annual Military Women’s Memorial Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery; the Secretary travels to the homelands of the Winnebago and Omaha Tribal Nations in Nebraska to take part in a bison transfer; a new report documents the tremendous economic impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as it advances the Department's key initiatives; the Bureau of Land Management updates its Central Yukon Resource Management Plan for nearly 13.3 million acres of public lands in central and northern Alaska; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams visits South Africa as part of the worldwide effort to combat wildlife trafficking; and a river runs through our social media Picture of the Week!
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Friends of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex
19255 SW Pacific Hwy Sherwood, Oregon 97140
503.625.5944 x 15227
www.FriendsofTualatinRefuge.org
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