Press Releases - The National Wildlife Refuge Association

Andrew Gude Named Recipient of the 2025 Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager of the Year

Eden Taylor — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:15:39 +0000

For Immediate Release February 6th, 2026
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

Florida conservation leader honored for watershed-scale conservation and community partnerships at Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges

SUWANNEE, FL – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce that Andrew Gude has been named recipient of the 2025 Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager of the Year, one of the top honors of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards. The annual Wildlife Refuge Awards honor those whose service strengthens the National Wildlife Refuge System — the nation’s only network of public lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation.

Gude is recognized for his visionary leadership at Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges in Florida, where he built strong community partnerships and advanced conservation that reaches far beyond refuge boundaries.

Restoring Rivers & Reforesting Florida’s Uplands

From 2011 till his recent retirement, Gude led the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys NWRs with an inclusive and accessible style. Known for posting his personal cell phone number on public materials, he made himself available to residents, students, and visitors alike. He worked hand in hand with Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys Refuges, Tribes, universities, and local governments to deliver conservation projects that benefit both people and wildlife.

One of his most significant achievements is the Hydrology Restoration Project, which is reconnecting 53,000 acres of wetlands and forests to the Suwannee River and Gulf of Mexico. Decades of logging roads had cut off natural water flow, fragmenting habitat and starving estuaries of the fresh water they depend on. With more than $6 million secured during his tenure, Andrew led efforts to remove old roadbeds and restore flows — work that will improve water quality, rebuild oyster reefs, sustain commercial and recreational fisheries, and strengthen the Gulf’s aquaculture industry.

Gude also advanced a longleaf pine reforestation program, planting more than 60,000 trees on uplands once dominated by timber monocultures. This effort returned diversity to the forest, expanding pollinator habitat and improving conditions for birds, reptiles, and mammals. Regional foresters praised the project as a model of how to restore southern pine ecosystems and called for its strategies to be shared across the Refuge System.

At the same time, he expanded fire management and habitat restoration through innovative resource-sharing with neighboring refuges and state agencies. Under his leadership, prescribed fire was used to rejuvenate grasslands and forests, improving both ecosystem health and public safety.

Gude prioritized research as a cornerstone of management. He supported long-running butterfly surveys that inform pollinator conservation, worked with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute to track swallow-tailed kites from Florida to Brazil, and partnered with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to test bioacoustics at the Seahorse Key rookery, broadcasting recorded bird calls in hopes of attracting nesting herons and egrets back to historic sites.

Safeguarding the Gulf Coast’s Wild & Cultural Treasures

The Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys NWRs encompass some of Florida’s most unique landscapes — tidal rivers, expansive salt marshes, estuaries, and relic dunes rising above the Gulf. These habitats shelter bald eagles, swallow-tailed kites, roseate spoonbills, and thriving oyster reefs, while also supporting commercial fisheries, aquaculture, and working waterfront communities.

Gude ensured that cultural history was valued alongside natural resources. At Vista Camp and Shell Mound, sites with deep Indigenous and settler history, he worked closely with Friends and the State of Florida to weatherize historic buildings, secure grants for research, and prepare for public access. These projects connected community members to their heritage while reinforcing the refuge’s role as steward of both cultural and ecological treasures.

At Seahorse Key, the highest island on Florida’s Gulf Coast and home to a 19th-century lighthouse, Gude partnered with the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station to restore facilities, improve access for students and researchers, and manage invasive species. When hurricanes battered the island, causing shoreline erosion and damaging research stations, he coordinated recovery efforts that allowed research and education programs to continue. These efforts demonstrated his commitment to resilience — ensuring both historic structures and living ecosystems could withstand the challenges of a changing climate.

“I can honestly say, for me one of the best things about being a Friends’ president was getting from Andrew a much better understanding of the importance of the Refuge system. An example was his enthusiastic description to a group of 4th grade Junior Ranger candidates of how he knew at an early age – like 10 maybe – that he wanted to protect the public lands he spent much of his time romping around in, from potential indiscriminate development. Thank you, Andrew!” said Denise Feiber, Immediate Past President of the Friends of Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge.

Building Partnerships That Last

Gude’s legacy is also defined by his ability to build durable, trust-based partnerships. He understood that refuges cannot thrive in isolation; they must be anchored in the communities that surround them.

With the Friends of Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys Refuges, Andrew’s support went far beyond the expected. He attended every board meeting, regularly contributed updates for newsletters, and worked side by side with volunteers — whether leading Junior Ranger classes for fourth graders, serving meals at the Friends’ annual barbecue, or pitching in on cleanup crews at Vista Camp. Friends leaders say his willingness to listen, value feedback, and treat them as equals strengthened the refuge’s bond with the community.

His collaboration extended far beyond the refuge boundaries. With The Conservation Fund, he supported conservation easements that have permanently protected more than 45,000 acres of land buffering the refuge, safeguarding water quality and habitat corridors while preventing development. With Mayor Sue Colson and the town of Cedar Key’s aquaculture community, he partnered on projects that tied ecological restoration to the health of the local economy. With Dixie County, he found solutions to maintain the nine-mile Dixie Mainline Road — a commuter route vital to local residents but also part of the refuge — ensuring safe travel while protecting wildlife.

Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges safeguard one of the largest undeveloped river-delta estuarine systems in the southeastern United States, spanning tidal rivers, salt marshes, estuaries, and upland forests that provide habitat for Gulf Sturgeon, West Indian Manatees, Wood Storks, and countless migratory birds. They are part of the more than 570 national wildlife refuges that make up the National Wildlife Refuge System — a network of over 850 million acres of lands and ocean that conserves wildlife while providing clean water, flood protection, and outdoor recreation for communities nationwide. Under Andrew’s leadership, these refuges have become models of place-based conservation, where ecosystem restoration, cultural stewardship, and community partnerships come together to benefit both people and wildlife.

“I have known Andrew for many years and have always been impressed by his unwavering work ethic and deep dedication to our Refuges. He was the kind of manager who never hesitated to roll up his sleeves and do whatever it took to get the job done right. His hands-on leadership and commitment to stewardship made a lasting impact. Thank you, Andrew, for taking care of our Refuges all these years—you’ve truly made a difference,” said Ron Kamzelski, President of the Friends of Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge.

"Andrew was an exemplary public servant—always ready to listen, lead, and connect with the local community. His vision and dedication were instrumental in working with The Conservation Fund, the State, and other partners to create a +45,000-acre conservation easement buffer around the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. He was also a critical advocate for hydrological restoration on the Refuge that will leave a lasting legacy on the Gulf,” said Lauren Day, Florida State Director of The Conservation Fund

A Legacy Rooted in Florida, Reaching Nationwide

Andrew’s leadership has touched every level of the Refuge System. By restoring ecosystems vital to Florida’s Gulf Coast and elevating community voices, he showed how a refuge can serve as both a sanctuary for wildlife and a partner to people. His work continues to inspire refuge managers and partners nationwide, offering a model of how place-based leadership can have national impact.

“Anyone who’s worked in Florida’s Big Bend knows the name Andrew Gude. He’s the guy with his cell number on the hunt brochure, the manager who shows up at a Friends barbecue with tongs in hand, and the leader who figured out how to get $6 million in the door to restore a river system. Andrew shows us what the Refuge System is really made of — people with grit, heart, and a relentless drive to make conservation real for both wildlife and communities,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

“When you travel Florida’s Big Bend, you see a rare sweep of rivers, estuaries, and forests that still move in rhythm with the tides. Under Andrew’s guidance, those landscapes have been given new resilience — water flows restored, longleaf forests replanted, and cultural sites cared for with respect. His work shows us that the Refuge System is not just about protecting wild places, but about stitching together the stories of land, water, wildlife, and community. That is a legacy that will last,” said The Honorable Lynn Scarlett, Board Chair of the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

Recognition Events

Andrew Gude will be recognized locally at a celebration on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00–2:00 pm ET at Treasure Camp River Retreat in Fowlers Bluff, Florida, in partnership with the Friends of Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys NWRs. To RSVP and for more information please visit refugeassociation.org/andrew.

His story will also be featured nationally during the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards — Virtual National Celebration of the Refuge System on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, at 7:00 pm ET refugeassociation.org/livestream.

To learn more visit refugeassociation.org/awards.

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As the only nonprofit solely dedicated to supporting the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs that serve the Refuge System and wildlife beyond its boundaries. The organization addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.

The National Wildlife Refuge Awards, presented annually by the National Wildlife Refuge Association since 1994, honor the exceptional contributions of volunteers, professionals, and partners who strengthen the National Wildlife Refuge System. Now in their 31st year, the awards celebrate the people whose passion and dedication protect wildlife, restore ecosystems, and connect communities to the natural world.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is the largest network of public lands and waters in the world dedicated to wildlife conservation, encompassing more than 570 refuges and 850 million acres. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, refuges provide critical habitat for thousands of species and offer opportunities for Americans to experience nature through hiking, hunting, birding, photography, and education.

Dartha Campbell Named Recipient of the 2025 Refuge Employee of the Year

Eden Taylor — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 16:36:20 +0000

For Immediate Release January 9th, 2026
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

Humble hero of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, spanning Georgia and Florida, honored for 49 years of service

FOLKSTON, GA – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce that Dartha Campbell has been named recipient of the 2025 Refuge Employee of the Year, one of the top honors of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards. The annual Wildlife Refuge Awards honor those whose service strengthens the National Wildlife Refuge System — the nation’s only network of public lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation.

A Monumental Career

The nearly 90 year old Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 — and for nearly 50 of those years, Campbell has been a constant, serving first as Administrative Officer and now as Budget Analyst. In recent years, her impact has extended even further: she is now the primary budget analyst for two additional refuge complexes — the North Florida Refuge Complex and Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Complex — supporting a total of 13 refuges across three states with a combined budget of more than $6.5 million annually.

Her monumental career and unwavering love for the Refuge System are evident, reflected in the trust she has earned from colleagues and the stability she has provided through decades of change. Refuge managers across the Southeast credit her with ensuring financial integrity, meeting the highest standards in audits, and providing trusted guidance that allowed them to focus on conservation.

Supporting a World-Class Landscape

At over 407,000 acres spanning Georgia and Florida, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the crown jewels of the Refuge System — a National Natural Landmark, a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, and recently nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its vast peat beds, blackwater channels, and cypress forests shelter thriving populations of alligators, sandhill cranes, and endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers, while its prairies and wetlands sustain thousands of migratory birds, amphibians, and fish. The swamp is also the source of two rivers — one flowing to the Atlantic, the other to the Gulf of Mexico — making it one of the most important freshwater ecosystems in North America.

Okefenokee NWR is one of over 570 national wildlife refuges that make up the Refuge System —a network of more than 850 million acres of lands and ocean that conserves wildlife while providing clean water, flood protection, and outdoor recreation for communities nationwide. For nearly half a century, Dartha has been the quiet force ensuring Okefenokee NWR’s operations run smoothly, her dedication touching every program and partnership at the refuge.

Steady in the Face of Fire

Campbell’s contributions are perhaps most visible in times of crisis. During the Bugaboo Fire of 2007 — the largest fire in Georgia and Florida history — and subsequent wildfires including Honey Prairie (2011) and West Mims (2017), she managed the finances and logistics that kept firefighting crews supplied, housed, and operational. Her work behind the scenes ensured that frontline responders had the resources they needed to protect the swamp and surrounding communities.

“For nearly five decades, Dartha has been a cornerstone of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Refuges—serving with distinction as a Budget Analyst, Administrative Officer, and in numerous other key roles. Her deep institutional knowledge, unwavering professionalism, and generous spirit have made her a trusted resource and mentor to colleagues across the Service in the Refuge System. She is not only respected for her expertise but deeply admired for the person she is—a true embodiment of dedication and service." said Annette Taylor, Business Team Lead, R4-Refuges, USFWS.

A Humble Hero & Mentor

Though her work is often behind the scenes, Campbell is celebrated by colleagues as a humble hero of the Refuge System. She has trained countless staff, guided refuge managers through complex financial processes, and even assisted local vendors register in federal systems so they could work with the refuge — strengthening both refuge operations and the local economy.

"Dartha has been the beating heart of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for 49 years - more than half of its 88 year existence. Whether we like to admit it or not, money is the blood that keeps our day-to-day operations running, and Dartha has been the heart of the refuge by making sure that funding keeps circulating and getting where it needs to go. Dartha has been an amazing employee who has been willing to work late and on the weekends when necessary to pull the refuge through difficult times, such as when the Refuge had the largest wildfires in the history of the Department of the Interior. Dartha has supported seven refuge managers over the years and helped each one be successful. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge would not be the exceptional example of management of public lands that it is today without Dartha's dedication and commitment." said Michael Lusk, Refuge Manager, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

A saying heard across the National Wildlife Refuge System is that “everyone knows Dartha” — a reflection of how her work has touched colleagues across the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, particularly those who have done stints in the Southeast Region. That includes staff at Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges, led by Andrew Gude, recently retired and honored as the 2025 Paul Kroegel Award – Refuge Manager of the Year.

Recognition Beyond the Okefenokee

Campbell’s career is also marked by innovation and sacrifice that extend well beyond a single refuge. She was a driving force behind the tiny homes project at Okefenokee NWR, which saved the USFWS more than $1 million in construction costs while providing safe housing for fire crews. During disaster recovery, she meticulously managed FEMA reimbursements to ensure every dollar was accounted for and refuges could rebuild quickly.

Known for putting the mission first, Campbell has postponed retirement multiple times, determined to keep refuges stable during critical transitions. Her devotion to the Refuge System has become a model of service for colleagues across the country.

“Anyone who’s spent time in the Refuge System knows the name Dartha Campbell. For 49 years she’s been the one keeping the lights on, the budgets balanced, and the fires fought — literally,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “From Okefenokee to the Florida and Savannah refuge complexes, her fingerprints are on every project and every success. People talk about the challenges facing the Refuge System, and they’re real. But the reason the Refuge System endures — and continues to make a difference — is because of people like Dartha who show up year after year with grit, integrity, and a deep love for the mission. If that’s not Refuge Employee of the Year, I don’t know what is.”

“Okefenokee is a place of wonder, with cypress forests, blackwater channels, and wetlands alive with birds and wildlife,” said The Honorable Lynn Scarlett, Board Chair of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “For nearly half its history, Dartha Campbell has been at the heart of keeping this refuge strong. Her integrity, her constancy, and her devotion to both people and wildlife exemplify the very best of the Refuge System. Dartha reminds us that conservation depends on the human hands and human heart that sustain these places, year after year.”

Recognition Events

Dartha Campbell will be recognized locally at a celebration on Friday, January 16th, 2026, from 5:00–8:00 pm at Hartley Oaks in Folkston, Georgia, honoring her decades of service to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the wider community of conservation partners. For more information please visit refugeassociation.org/dartha.

Her story will also be featured nationally during the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards — Virtual National Celebration of the Refuge System on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 7:00 pm ET. refugeassociation.org/livestream

To learn more visit refugeassociation.org/awards.

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Refuge Association Praises Bipartisan Deal Protecting Wildlife Refuges from Deep Cuts

Eden Taylor — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:46:12 +0000

For Immediate Release January 8th, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association today praised a bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Interior appropriations bill that rejects the Administration’s proposed deep cuts to the National Wildlife Refuge System and preserves essential funding for America’s public lands and waters.

“This bipartisan agreement prevents devastating cuts to the National Wildlife Refuge System at a time when these lands can least afford them,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “While the budget remains tight, this bill helps keep refuges open, operational, and protected for wildlife and the communities that depend on them.”

The legislation, which is anticipated to be voted on this week, would reduce Refuge System funding by about 1%—from $527 million to $522 million—far less than the reductions proposed by the Administration.

The bill also fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund and maintains support for key conservation programs such as Visitor Services (including the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program and Youth and Careers in Nature), Marine National Monuments, Refuge Construction account, the Refuge Fund, the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, and the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. It also importantly provides a $1 million increase for Refuge System law enforcement.

The Refuge Association would like to thank the Interior Appropriations Chairs and Ranking Members - Senator Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Merkley (D-OR), Congressman Simpson (R-ID) and Congresswoman Pingree (D-ME) for their bipartisan leadership and we urge Congress and the President to pass and sign the bill.

Damaging Day for National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska

Eden Taylor — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:08:23 +0000

For Immediate Release October 24, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

Arctic and Izembek Refuges, established on the same day in 1960, now share another day that could see their shared degradation.

Fall foliage glows with color at Last Lake on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, AK | Sara Wolman/USFWS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association yesterday opposed the U.S. Department of the Interior’s decision to approve a land exchange that would enable construction of a commercial road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and the restoring of leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that were deemed to have been wrongfully approved.

“These decisions threaten the integrity of two of the most biologically important refuges in the entire Refuge System,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. ”Today’s actions undermine sixty-five years of conservation precedent and weaken protections for public lands.”

Entire Arctic Refuge Coastal Plain Now Open to Oil and Gas

The Department of the Interior overturned suspended oil and gas leases for the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) and opened the entire 1.5 million acres of the Arctic Refuge’s Coastal Plain to oil and gas leasing and drilling. This endangers one of the last remaining untouched wilderness areas in America. This region is the calving ground of the Porcupine Caribou herd and is essential to a complex Arctic ecosystem that includes threatened polar bears, migratory birds, and other wildlife.

The Gwich’in people, whose ancestral ties to this landscape span generations, have long made clear that drilling in the Arctic Refuge would irreversibly harm their food security, cultural heritage, and way of life. Despite this, there has been no meaningful engagement with the Indigenous communities most directly impacted.

Izembek, a National Precedent with National Consequences

Pacific Black Brant at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, AK | Lisa Hupp/USFWS

The announcement also finalized a controversial land exchange with the State of Alaska, enabling a commercial-use road to be built through designated wilderness in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Izembek NWR provides essential habitat for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, including nearly the entire global population of Pacific black brant, as well as brown bears, salmon, and other iconic wildlife. The over 300,000-acre refuge contains some of the most intact wetlands and eelgrass beds in the world, supporting biodiversity that stretches far beyond Alaska’s borders.

“As someone who has spent decades advancing conservation for the benefit of people and nature, including through public service and collaborative processes, I am troubled by this decision,” said The Honorable Lynn Scarlett, Board Chair of the National Wildlife Refuge Association and former Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior. “Izembek and Arctic Refuges are globally important ecosystems and are part of the promise we’ve made as a nation to protect extraordinary places for the benefit of all. Weakening that promise risks more than two refuges; it risks the foundation of how we care for our public lands.”

By advancing a road through designated wilderness, the decision threatens to erode the legal protections established by the Wilderness Act and the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act. Both laws were enacted by Congress to safeguard irreplaceable public lands from development and ensure they are managed in perpetuity for conservation.

The Arctic and Izembek National Wildlife Refuges were both established on December 6, 1960. Today, they stand together again—this time as examples of what is at risk when conservation commitments are cast aside.

What’s at stake is far greater than one road through one refuge or drilling in one refuge. This decision signals that no place in the National Wildlife Refuge System is truly safe from future development, even when they have the highest level of protection.

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As the only nonprofit solely dedicated to advocating on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs that serve the System and wildlife beyond its boundaries. The organization addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.

Arctic and Izembek National Wildlife Refuges were established on the same day, December 6, 1960, by President Dwight Eisenhower. The Arctic Refuge protects 19.6 million acres of intact arctic ecosystems, including the 1.5 million-acre Coastal Plain, a vital caving ground for the Porcupine Caribou Herd and a landscape sacred to the Gwich’in people. The Izembek Refuge spans more than 315,000 acres on the Alaska Peninsula. The refuge’s wetlands, lagoons, and tundra provide globally important habitat for migratory birds and marine species and support subsistence traditions and food security for local communities.

In 1980, Congress designated over 300,000 acres within both refuges as wilderness—the highest level of land protection in the United States. These designations reflect the national commitment to safeguard the ecological integrity of these landscapes in perpetuity.

National Wildlife Refuge Association Mourns Passing of Wildlife Conservation Icon, Jane Goodall

Eden Taylor — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:35:28 +0000

For Immediate Release October 2, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Like the conservation community around the globe, the National Wildlife Refuge Association mourns the death of Dr. Jane Goodall, who inspired a conservation ethic and the science to help us understand wildlife.

While Dr. Goodall is remembered most for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, she was a tireless advocate for biodiversity and all wildlife species. In her soft spoken but powerful voice, she eloquently urged us to protect places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, such as in this powerful video where she urged Americans to do everything in their power to ensure drilling in this magical place never happened.

Dr. Goodall once opined: "Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference." We extend those thoughts to our National Wildlife Refuge System. Each refuge makes a difference. Each builds upon the conservation commitment of communities, scientists, Friends groups, and individual volunteers. Each refuge reflects the sort of caring that is Jane Goodall's legacy.

Let us all embrace Dr. Goodall's central message of hope to inspire conservation in our communities, our wildlife refuges, and across the nation.

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Carl Zenger Named Recipient of the 2025 Refuge Volunteer of the Year

Eden Taylor — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:44:00 +0000

For Immediate Release October 2nd, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

New York conservation volunteer honored for 45,000 hours of service at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

BASOM, NY – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce that Carl Zenger has been named recipient of the 2025 Refuge Volunteer of the Year, one of the top honors of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards, now in their 31st year. The Refuge Association’s annual Wildlife Refuge Awards honor those whose service strengthens the National Wildlife Refuge System — the nation’s largest network of public lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation.

Zenger, a lifelong New Yorker from Lockport, has contributed more than 45,000 volunteer hours—the equivalent of 22.5 years of full-time work—to Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, which spans more than 10,000 acres across Genesee and Orleans counties in western New York near Buffalo. It is part of the Oak Orchard and Tonawanda wetlands complex, recognized as a Bird Conservation Area and one of the most significant migratory bird stopover sites in the Atlantic Flyway.

Iroquois NWR protects vast marshes, forests, and grasslands that provide resting and nesting grounds for hundreds of thousands of migratory waterfowl and songbirds each year, while also supporting bald eagles, river otters, and a rich diversity of fish and amphibians. It is one of over 570 national wildlife refuges that make up the National Wildlife Refuge System — a network of more than 850 million acres of lands and ocean that conserves wildlife while providing clean water, flood protection, and outdoor recreation for communities nationwide. Carl’s dedication has touched every part of Iroquois, from restoring habitats and mentoring volunteers to creating opportunities for families across western New York to connect with nature.

Restoring Habitat & Protecting Species

Zenger’s work is most visible across the refuge’s grasslands. Each year, he mows and maintains about 200 acres of habitat, ensuring that migratory birds and pollinators have the open fields they need to survive. This is part of nearly 1,500 acres of early successional habitat that Iroquois NWR manages through mowing, haying, prescribed fire, mulching, and planting. Zenger’s role as the refuge’s primary mower has been essential to keeping these lands healthy and vibrant.

He has also been the driving force behind the refuge’s bird conservation programs. Zenger maintains more than 50 bluebird boxes, launched a purple martin project that now fledges over 700 birds annually, and expanded nesting opportunities for the American Kestrel, which has declined by 85 percent in New York. He is also a permitted bird bander and has banded hundreds of bluebirds, tree swallows, and purple martins on the refuge, contributing valuable data to regional and national studies.

“Carl is a vital thread in the fabric of our refuge—his unmatched dedication to conservation, from championing grassland restoration across 200 acres annually to launching a multi-species cavity nesting program, continues to inspire and connect our community to the natural world,” said Emily Kelly, Park Ranger at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

A Volunteer of All Trades

In addition to his conservation work, Zenger is known as the person who can step in wherever the refuge needs him. During staffing shortages, he has taken on everything from tractor and mower maintenance, snow plowing and salting, and equipment repair to safety inspections, chemical inventory, and electrical labeling. He has repeatedly filled gaps when the refuge has been without a full-time maintenance professional, keeping operations safe and functional for staff and visitors.

“As a volunteer, Carl is the epitome of what refuge staff are like across the National Wildlife Refuge System. An individual whose passion and dedication is transformed into skills and tasks to ensure that the refuge can work towards its goals and objectives for trust resources and visitors. A person of all trades, Carl has assisted, initiated and filled in gaps for projects as needed for the refuge, but the best thing is that he is just a terrific individual!” said Tom Roster, retired Refuge Manager, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Connecting People to Nature

Zenger’s service extends beyond habitat and maintenance. He is also a mentor to more than 20 volunteers and has introduced countless interns and students to hands-on conservation work. Through his guidance, the next generation of stewards has learned not only practical skills but also a sense of responsibility for wildlife.

He has also made conservation accessible to the community. For the refuge’s largest annual event, Spring into Nature, Zenger builds hundreds of bluebird houses and “toad abodes” as kits for children and families. In 2024, more than 500 participants attended, many leaving with their own handmade habitat structures to place in backyards across western New York. To streamline the process, Zenger fabricates wooden jigs that ensure each kit is easy to assemble for the public.

These projects, along with his educational nest displays showcasing different bird nesting strategies, help thousands of visitors understand the importance of cavity-nesting species and empower them to take conservation home.

A Legacy That Reaches Beyond Iroquois

As a founding member of the Friends of Iroquois NWR, Zenger has served as President, Vice President, Secretary, and board member, while also raising funds from local businesses to support the refuge. His decades of work exemplify how volunteers extend the reach of the National Wildlife Refuge System, building bridges between conservation and community.

“Talk to anyone in western New York about the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, and you’ll hear Carl’s name. Forty-five thousand volunteer hours — over 22 years of full-time work — and he’s still out there leading by example,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “He’s restored wetlands, mentored volunteers, welcomed families to the refuge, and even made sure generations of bluebirds and purple martins have a home. That kind of grit and love for the mission can’t be manufactured. Carl proves what we know to be true: the Refuge System survives and thrives because of everyday people who just keep showing up.”

As a birder, I know what it means to see a flash of bluebird wings or hear the bubbly song of purple martins returning each spring. At Iroquois Refuge, those moments are possible in no small part because of Carl Zenger,” said The Honorable Lynn Scarlett, Board Chair of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “His dedication has created and nurtured homes for birds and countless other species, while also fostering a community of people who care deeply for these lands. Carl reminds us that conservation is sustained not just by policies, but by the caring hands and hearts of people on the ground.”

Recognition Events

Carl Zenger will be recognized locally at a celebration on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 12:00–2:00 pm at Bent’s Opera House in Medina, New York, co-organized with the Friends of Iroquois NWR. To RSVP and for more information please visit refugeassociation.org/carl.

His story will also be featured nationally during the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards — Virtual National Celebration of the Refuge System on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 7:00 pm ET. refugeassociation.org/livestream

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The National Wildlife Refuge System is the largest network of public lands and waters in the world dedicated to wildlife conservation, encompassing more than 570 refuges and 850 million acres. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, refuges provide critical habitat for thousands of species and offer opportunities for Americans to experience nature through hiking, hunting, birding, photography, and education.

Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends Named Recipient of the 2025 Molly Krival Award – Refuge Friends Group of the Year

Eden Taylor — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 17:28:24 +0000

For Immediate Release September 26, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

Virginia grassroots conservation organization honored for decades of community leadership, partnerships, and 65,000 hours of service

WARSAW, VA – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce that Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends has been named recipient of the 2025 Molly Krival Award – Refuge Friends Group of the Year, one of the top honors of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards, now in their 31st year. The Refuge Association’s annual Wildlife Refuge Awards honor those whose service strengthens the National Wildlife Refuge System — the nation’s largest network of public lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation.

Since 2009, the Friends have contributed more than 65,529 volunteer hours, including 5,935 in fiscal year 2024 alone, to support Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which spans four counties and protects more than 9,000 acres within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The refuge’s tidal wetlands, grasslands, and forests sustain bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and countless species of fish and wildlife, while also protecting water quality for the Bay and providing recreation opportunities for surrounding communities.

Rappahannock River Valley NWR is one of over 570 national wildlife refuges that make up the National Wildlife Refuge System — a network of more than 850 million acres of lands and ocean that conserves wildlife while providing clean water, flood protection, and outdoor recreation for communities nationwide. The Friends’ leadership has touched every part of the refuge, from restoring habitats and mentoring volunteers to connecting thousands of families and school children across Virginia to nature, making them a model for Refuge Friends groups across the Refuge System.

Protecting Fones Cliffs with the Rappahannock Tribe

Among the Friends’ most significant contributions is their decades-long work to protect Fones Cliffs, a critical bald eagle habitat and a sacred site of the Rappahannock Tribe. Once threatened by large-scale development, the cliffs are now permanently protected thanks to collaborations among the Friends, the Tribe, and refuge staff and other conservation partners, including the Chesapeake Conservancy and The Conservation Fund.

In 2025, nearly 1,000 acres of ancestral land were returned to the Tribe, which will co-steward the cliffs with the Rappahannock River Valley NWR. The Friends played a vital role in raising awareness, securing resources, and building partnerships to ensure this historic rematriation.

Volunteer Power & Habitat Work

With more than 65,000 volunteer hours logged since 2009, the Friends provide critical capacity to the refuge. Their projects include habitat restoration, trail maintenance, wildlife monitoring, and support for conservation education programs that reach schools and communities throughout the Northern Neck.

“We are proud and honored to have such and active and successful Friends Group. They consistently provide support to the Rappahannock River Valley NWR and achieve their goals by building strong community relationships, providing clear communication between staff and members, and fostering an unwavering passion to protect our natural resources. Staff are incredibly lucky to have their support so we can keep the needle moving forward for the mission of the NWRS.” said Marcie Kapsch, Project Leader, Eastern Virginia Rivers NWR Complex: Rappahannock River Valley NWR, James River NWR, Presquile NWR, Plum Tree Island NWR.

Engaging Communities in Conservation

The Friends are leaders in connecting people to nature. Signature programs include Kids Fishing Day, which draws families from across the region; Wheelin’ Sportsmen events that provide accessible outdoor experiences for individuals with disabilities; school field trips and scholarships for local youth; and volunteer-led bird walks, workshops, and public events.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition,” said Steve Colangelo, President of Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends. “This achievement reflects the tireless efforts of our members, volunteers, and partners. Together, we’ve worked to protect wildlife, engage the community, and ensure that future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of the refuge.”

Advocacy & Leadership Beyond the Refuge

The Friends have extended their impact far beyond the boundaries of the refuge. They have testified to Congress and worked with partners on initiatives to enhance the refuge’s role as a good neighbor in Essex, King George, Caroline, Richmond, and Westmoreland Counties and beyond, while safeguarding the protections for wildlife habitat that the refuge provides.

They are also leaders regionally and nationally, active in the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates, the Chesapeake Gateways Network, and long-term partnerships with the Refuge Association and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends show us what the heart of the Refuge System looks like,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “From protecting sacred landscapes to planting trees along the river, they’ve built bridges between the refuge and the community. Their leadership doesn’t just help one refuge — it shows how Refuge Friends groups everywhere keep the Refuge System strong, vibrant, and rooted in local care while making a national impact.”

“Stand on the banks of the Rappahannock River and you see a story of connection — a river flowing to the Chesapeake, a landscape sacred to the Tribe, and a refuge alive with eagles and herons,” said The Honorable Lynn Scarlett, Board Chair of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “The Friends have woven those threads together, engaging people of all ages and showing us the very best of what Refuge Friends groups can do.”

Recognition Events

Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends will be recognized locally at a celebration on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Cat Point Creek Lodge in Warsaw, Virginia, a property now owned by the Rappahannock Tribe. A community tree planting will take place beforehand from 8:30 – 11:30 am at the Fones Cliffs unit of the Refuge located on Carter's Wharf Rd., Warsaw VA, GPS coordinate 38°03’48.4″N 76°55’06.7″W. To RSVP and for more information please visit refugeassociation.org/rappahannock.

Their story will also be featured nationally during the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards — Virtual National Celebration of the Refuge System on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 7:00 pm ET. refugeassociation.org/livestream

To learn more visit refugeassociation.org/awards.

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Refuge Friends organizations are community-based nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting national wildlife refuges. These grassroots groups raise awareness, coordinate volunteer opportunities, support habitat restoration, host educational programs, and advocate for their local refuges—all while working closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff.

Refuge Association’s Statement On Secretarial Order Enhancing Land and Water Conservation Fund Use

Eden Taylor — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 21:16:59 +0000

For Immediate Release September 5, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association appreciates Secretary Burgum’s efforts to increase recreational access, enhance connectivity of protected lands, and advance species protection through a new Secretarial Order for implementation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – SO 3442.

LWCF is one of the most important land acquisition and conservation tools of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Refuges use acquisition of important lands and waters to protect vital habitat for threatened and imperiled species and to increase access for Americans who hunt, fish, hike, watch wildlife, engage in photography, and seek solace in nature.

The Secretarial Order affirms the importance of the outdoors to the mental and physical health of all Americans. We agree that increasing access to urban national wildlife refuges is an important way for Americans—who are increasingly separated from the natural world—to connect to local wildlife havens.

“National wildlife refuges are Nature Next Door,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, the President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “We believe all Americans, regardless of where they live, need access to our public lands heritage. Acquiring lands and waters through strategic additions to the Refuge System is an important way to ensure this legacy continues.”

The Refuge Association is pleased that the Secretarial Order focuses on using LWCF funds for conservation and outdoor recreation access rather than diverting funds to infrastructure maintenance.

“Though our refuges are struggling with an ever-growing maintenance backlog, taking valuable funds from land acquisition is not the answer,” said Sorenson-Groves. “We look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to reauthorize the Great American Outdoors Act and other measures to address the Refuge System maintenance backlog.”

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National Wildlife Refuge Association Welcomes Brian Nesvik As Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Eden Taylor — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 20:53:42 +0000

For Immediate Release August 1, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association congratulates Brian Nesvik on his confirmation as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). With deep roots in the conservation and wildlife management community, including service as a game warden and decades-long commitment to field-based stewardship, Director Nesvik brings practical experience and an understanding of America’s sporting and conservation heritage to the role.

During his confirmation hearing, when Senator John Boozman (R-AR) asked about rebuilding the Refuge System Nesvik responded, “I strongly believe that the [National] Wildlife Refuge system is important and it’s going to have my focus.”

We thank Director Nesvik for this affirmation, and Senator Boozman for elevating the needs of national wildlife refuges. It’s a hopeful sign that the future of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) may once again be recognized as a bipartisan national priority— one that transcends politics in favor of protecting America’s wildlife, public lands, and shared natural world.

As a career conservation officer with deep connections to the sportsman community, Director Nesvik understands the on-the-ground realities of managing for both people and wildlife. His background gives us reason to believe he will appreciate the important role national wildlife refuges play in migratory bird conservation and as critical landscapes for wildlife and outdoor recreation alike.

“We look forward to working with Director Nesvik,” said Desirée Soreson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “We respect his experience and his commitment to wildlife and we look forward to working together to protect, promote, and enhance the Refuge System and our shared mission of conserving America’s natural heritage.”

The National Wildlife Refuge Association remains committed to advancing the Refuge System and ensuring that national wildlife refuges remain protected, restored, and accessible for generations to come.

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The National Wildlife Refuge System is the largest network of public lands and waters in the world dedicated to wildlife conservation, encompassing more than 560 refuges and 850 million acres. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, refuges provide critical habitat for thousands of species and offer opportunities for Americans to experience nature through hiking, hunting, birding, photography, and education.

Friends of Hagerman Awarded 2025 O’BrienPrize for Refuge Friends

Eden Taylor — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:38:26 +0000

For Immediate Release July 30, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to award the 2025 O’Brien Prize for Refuge Friends to the Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge for their visionary work launching a citizen science bioacoustic bat monitoring program at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Sherman, Texas.

The $6,000 grant supporters their “Music of the Night” initiative, a long-term effort to engage community volunteers in monitoring bat populations using cutting-edge acoustic technology. The project will help assess and protect local bat species, including the northern long-eared bat and tricolored bat, both of which are under increasing threat from habitat loss and white-nose syndrome.

“The Friends of Hagerman are doing exactly what the O’Brien Prize was created to recognize,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “They’re stepping in to support critical refuge science, building deeper community ties, and using innovation to project some of our most misunderstood and ecologically important species.”

By pairing specialized acoustic detectors with advanced software, the project enables citizen scientists to help identify species across a range of refuge habitats. The data gathered will help inform refuge management decisions and contribute to broader regional and ecosystem-wide bat conservation efforts. The Friends group also plans to share findings through public presentations and youth education programming, further depending community engagement with science and wildlife.

The O’Brien Prize, named in honor of longtime Refuge Association Board Chair Donal O’Brien III, celebrates excellence in local conservation leadership. Now in its sixth year, the prize recognizes a Refuge Friends group whose work exemplifies community-driven support for national wildlife refuges. Each year, the Refuge Association awards up to $6,000 to a group whose project strengthens public engagement and supports the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Learn more and see past recipients at https://www.refugeassociation.org/obrien

About Refuge Friends

Refuge Friends organizations are community-based nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting national wildlife refuges. These grassroots groups raise awareness, coordinate volunteer opportunities, support habitat restoration, host educational programs, and advocate for their local refuges—all while working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff. The O’Brien Prize celebrates the creativity, impact, and community spirit of Refuge Friends groups as they strengthen the mission of the Refuge system nationwide.

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Announcing the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards

Eden Taylor — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:54:53 +0000

For Immediate Release July 24, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

This year, the National Wildlife Refuge Awards hit the road—celebrated locally, and shared nationwide through a virtual broadcast

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards, a beloved tradition recognizing exceptional contributions to the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Now more than 30 years strong, the National Wildlife Refuge Awards shine a light on the people and partnerships that make wildlife conservation possible—from refuge staff and volunteers to community leaders and grassroots organizations.

This year rather than a national dinner, we’re bringing the awards back to the refuges—honoring each recipient through heartfelt, in-person events hosted where each awardee has made their mark on the landscape. Footage from these local celebrations will be featured in an inspiring virtual broadcast on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 starting at 7:00 pm ET, connecting these stories to a national audience of refuge supporters, partners, and policymakers.

Meet the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards Recipients:

2025 Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager of the Year

Andrew Gude, Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges, Florida

Refuge Celebration: February 21, 2026

2025 Molly Krival Award - Refuge Friends Group of the Year

Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends, Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia

Refuge Celebration: October 7, 2025

2025 Refuge Employee of the Year

Dartha Campbell, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia

Refuge Celebration: January 16, 2026

2025 Refuge Volunteer of the Year

Carl Zenger, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, New York

Refuge Celebration: October 15, 2025

“Calling awardees to let them know they’ve been selected is hands down, the best part of my job,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “Over the years, I’ve had the joy of seeing so many incredible people honored—people who don’t do this work for recognition, but whose dedication is the backbone of the Refuge System. These awards are a highlight of the year for me, our staff, and our board, and a powerful reminder of the heart that drives this conservation community.”

“When I keynoted the National Wildlife Refuge Awards last year, I was reminded of something I’ve seen again and again over the years,” said Lynn Scarlett, Board Chair of the National Wildlife Refuge Association and former Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior. “There’s often surprise from audiences when they realize how many people care—really care—about our national wildlife refuges. But those of us who’ve worked alongside refuge staff, volunteers, and community partners know the truth: these places endure because of human hands and human heart. The awards honor that care, that commitment. They remind us that conservation is a collective act—and that it depends on people showing up, day after day.”

Help celebrate these remarkable achievements by sponsoring the events! Download our sponsor packet here or contact Courtney Phelan at cphelan@refugeassociation.org to get involved.

To explore past winners and learn more about this year’s celebrations, visit refugeassociation.org/awards.

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House Funding Bill Chips Away at National Wildlife Refuges with Deep Cuts & Damaging Riders

Eden Taylor — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:02:11 +0000

For Immediate Release July 23, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

House Funding Bill Chips Away at National Wildlife Refuges with Deep Cuts & Damaging Riders

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies spending bill Fiscal Year 2026 — and while it wasn’t as extreme as the slash-and-burn bill the President had proposed, it would still deliver a severe setback to the National Wildlife Refuge System. The bill proposes a $22 million cut to Refuge System operations and includes a range of dangerous policy riders that would undermine wildlife conservation across the country. On a good note, the bill maintains funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, one of the most important tools for land acquisition.

“The Refuge System is already reeling from hiring freezes, early retirements, resignations, a ballooning deferred maintenance backlog, and trying to figure out how to cover staff buyouts—often with funding allocations released just one month at a time,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “While this bill isn’t as draconian as the President’s budget request, it still undercuts core American conservation efforts when we can least afford it.”

According to the House Committee Report, the bill would reduce National Wildlife Refuge System funding from $527 million in FY 2025 to $505.7 million in FY 2026—a 4% cut. This would take the Refuge System back to roughly where it was over 15 years ago. The Refuge System was funded at $503 million in FY 2010 - adjusted for inflation, that would be at least $731 million today.

Harmful Riders That Undercut Wildlife & Refuges

On top of the funding cuts, the bill includes a long list of damaging “policy riders”—non-budget directives that weaken protections for wildlife and public lands. Among the most concerning:

Blocks bison reintroduction at Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge: Prevents the return of a keystone species to its native prairie habitat in Montana.
Prohibits the expansion of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge: Prevents a community supported land protection plan at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas that would provide habitat for sandhill cranes, lesser prairie-chickens, and pronghorn.
Prevents the listing of species while delists others: Delists gray wolves and the Greater Yellowstone grizzly bear population while preventing protections for greater sage grouse, wolverine, lesser prairie-chicken, and northern long-eared bat.

The Refuge Association is calling on the Senate to reject these provisions and restore full, sustainable funding for the Refuge System. Now is the time to act—Congress must hear from the American people that wildlife refuges are not negotiable.

“National wildlife refuges are a uniquely American idea—public lands managed not for profit, but for the protection of life itself,” Sorenson-Groves added. “Fully funding the Refuge system is a reaffirmation of who we are as a nation.”

For more information visit refugeassociation.org or follow the conversation at #RefugeStrong.

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Conservation Leader Lynn Scarlett Appointed Board Chair of National Wildlife Refuge Association

Eden Taylor — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:14:13 +0000

For Immediate Release July 2, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is honored to announce the appointment of Lynn Scarlett as Chair of its Board of Directors. The decision was made during the Refuge Association’s June 2025 board meeting, held at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Nampa, Idaho.

Scarlett brings an unparalleled legacy of leadership in conservation and public service. She retired in December 2021 as Global Chief External Affairs Officer at The Nature Conservancy, where she shaped climate and conservation policy across 79 countries and territories. From 2001 to 2009, she held senior roles in the U.S. Department of the Interior, including Deputy Secretary (November 2005 - January 2009) and Acting Secretary in 2006, where she led key initiatives on cooperative conservation, climate change, and landscape-scale collaboration.

Scarlett rejoined the Refuge Association board in 2022, having previously served two terms as a director, from 2011 through 2017. Most recently, she served as Vice Chair before being elected Chair in June 2025. Based in Santa Barbara, California, Scarlett is a lifelong birder, avid hiker, and passionate advocate for public lands.

“I am honored to step into this role as Board Chair,” said Lynn Scarlett. “The National Wildlife Refuge Association plays a critical role in advancing conservation across our nation’s public lands. I look forward to supporting the organization's mission with deep resolve, particularly at this time when our wildlife refuges and the broader landscapes they inhabit face complex and growing challenges. With an extraordinary team and strong leadership from Desirée Sorenson-Groves, I am optimistic about what we can achieve together for the Refuge System and for wildlife conservation.”

President and CEO Desirée Sorenson-Groves shared her enthusiasm:

“I have had the privilege of working with Lynn Scarlett for many years—during her tenure at the Department of the Interior and through our shared time at the Refuge Association,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves. “Lynn has been a mentor, a collaborator, and a visionary leader in conservation. She has always been a staunch supporter of both the National Wildlife Refuge System and the Refuge Association. Her strategic insight and deep commitment to public lands make her the ideal person to lead our board. I’m honored to continue partnering with her in this next chapter for the Refuge Association.”

Scarlett also serves on the Boards of the Sand County Foundation, Santa Barbara Foundation and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and on the advisory councils of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, UC Santa Barbara Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, and the Salazar Center. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and previously chaired the Science Advisory Board of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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National Wildlife Refuge Association Warns Senate Proposal Threatens Public Lands Legacy

Eden Taylor — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:01:00 +0000

For Immediate Release June 17, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is calling on Senators to remove a controversial provision in their FY 2026 budget reconciliation bill that would mandate the sale of up to 3 million acres of public lands, but more than 250 million acres would be available for sale. The proposal, advanced by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, would direct the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service to identify and dispose of millions of acres within just five years.

While national wildlife refuges, national parks, wilderness and national monuments are excluded from the proposal, the Refuge Association warns that the move sets a dangerous precedent that opens the door to future sell-offs that would impact critical conservation lands.

“These public lands are for you and me and our kids and our grandkids,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “It doesn’t matter that refuges and national parks are excluded. It doesn’t matter at all. Public lands are public lands—they’re for every American, not the highest bidder.”

Under the committee’s language, land sales would begin just 60 days after the bill’s passage, with 90 percent of the proceeds going to the U.S. Treasury. The plan has drawn strong opposition from conservation groups, sportsmen, and outdoor business leaders across the country.

A similar proposal was recently dropped from the House bill following public backlash and an effort by members of Congress like Representative Ryan Zinke (R-MT). Critics say the Senate version is even more expansive and could result in the largest public land divestiture in U.S. history.

“Public lands are not currency,” said Sorenson-Groves. “We can’t trade away our natural legacy. We need leaders in Congress willing to say no! We are especially grateful to House leaders Rep. Ryan Zinke, Rep. Gabe Vasquez and the Public Lands Caucus for standing up for America’s public lands. Their leadership was instrumental in removing this dangerous language from the House bill, and now we need the Senate to follow suit.”

The Refuge Association is urging its supporters and all public lands advocates to contact their U.S. Senators and demand the land sell-off provision be stripped from the final budget reconciliation bill.

The Senate is expected to vote on the budget package before the July 4th recess.

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For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communications & Marketing at etaylor@refugeassociation.org. If you are interested in joining our press list please sign up here.

🎯 Want to help stop this public land sell-off?

The Senate is considering a proposal to sell off up to 3 million acres of public lands as part of the FY2026 budget reconciliation bill.

🗓 Deadline: Thursday, July 3rd, 2025

Take Action Now

National Wildlife Refuges On The Precipice

Eden Taylor — Thu, 08 May 2025 21:51:33 +0000

For Immediate Release May 8th, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

As Public Service Recognition Week Celebrates Federal Workers, Refuge System Staff Face Unprecedented Staff Exodus, Impending Layoffs, Crippling Proposed Budget Cuts, and Politicization of Careers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Public Service Recognition Week shines a light on the value of federal service, the National Wildlife Refuge Association is warning that the very people who protect our nation’s wildlife and public lands are under siege. A massive staff departure due to resignations, retirements and fear of a Reduction in Force (RIF), are converging with harmful policy proposals to create a crisis for the National Wildlife Refuge System unlike any in its 122 year history.

Workforce Decimated, New Threats Looming

The Refuge System has lost over 20% of their staff since January - but it was already in a precarious position having already suffered a 30% reduction in the past 15 years. These most recent losses are the result of retirements, resignations, and those who were fired not coming back after being reinstated, and they come on top of already dangerously low staffing levels. Today, over 10% of national wildlife refuges are completely unstaffed, and not one refuge in the country has the staff and resources it needs to fully function.

Now, additional threats loom. On January 20th, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order called “Schedule F” with the objective of removing civil service protections from federal employees in “policy-influencing” roles - which could make every Refuge Manager in the country vulnerable to cursory dismissal from their job. Coupled with a potential RIF, we believe the Refuge System will be unable to conduct the most basic of functions.

“This isn’t only about losing employees, it's also about losing decades of expertise, knowledge, and commitment by people who considered it their patriotic duty to serve their country,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “These dedicated Americans are IN communities - they are your neighbors, they sit next to you in church and they are first responders after natural disasters - now vilified because they sought to save wildlife and serve our nation. If we allow this hollowing out to continue, we will be left with public lands in name only—protected on paper, but abandoned in practice.”

Budget Cuts Disguised As Reform

Rather than addressing the cascading losses, the administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 initial budget outline offers little relief calling for a 30% cut to the Department of the Interior. And Congress is adding policy challenges to funding cuts including oil and gas development, the sale of public lands, and truncated environmental analysis with no judicial review if a company just pays a fee.

Conservation Policy Under Attack

At the same time, key environmental protections are being rolled back:

Endangered Species safeguards are under assault, threatening the legal backbone of wildlife recovery efforts.
Mandated oil and gas lease sales in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska have been reinstated, undermining one of the most iconic and sensitive habitats in America.
The Idaho legislature is pushing to transfer Camas National Wildlife Refuge to state control, which could set a dangerous precedent for public land management nationwide.
Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, a critical seabird nesting site in the remote Pacific, faces rocket landings from SpaceX.
Proposed public land sell-offs in Nevada and Utah included in the House budget reconciliation package—threaten the integrity of all public lands.

A Moment Of Recognition Amid Ongoing Crisis

This year’s Public Service Recognition Week comes at a time when the workforce of the Refuge System is being stretched to a breaking point.

“We urge every American to thank a public servant this week - especially if you know one who works to conserve our wildlife heritage on our shared public lands,” said Sorenson-Groves. “Baseball, apple pie, and public lands - that’s America.”

The National Wildlife Refuge Association is calling on Congress, the Department of the Interior, and the American people to act now:

Stop the sale of public lands. National public lands belong to ALL Americans and shouldn’t be used to pay for tax cuts.
Hold the line and fully fund the National Wildlife Refuge System in the FY2026 budget to halt further decline.
Maintain civil service protections, ensuring conservation work is guided by science, not politics.
Defend the Endangered Species Act and stop legislative and administrative attempts to undermine it.
Reject efforts to privatize or transfer refuge lands, and reaffirm the public ownership of America’s conservation legacy.

National wildlife refuges belong to all of us and the wildlife that calls them home. We must fight to keep them thriving.

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As the only nonprofit solely dedicated to advocating on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs that serve the System and wildlife beyond its boundaries. The organization addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.

For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communications & Marketing at etaylor@refugeassociation.org. If you are interested in joining our press list please sign up here.

Marianne Kelso Lands in Roswell To Lead Conservation Work At Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Eden Taylor — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:24:31 +0000

📷 Oxbow at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico | Joel Deluxe

Roswell, NM – Something exciting has touched down in Roswell— and this time, it’s not from another planet. The National Wildlife Refuge Association is thrilled to welcome Marianne Kelso as our new biologist at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), where she’s bringing her skills, smarts, and species-saving know-how to southeastern New Mexico’s Pecos River watershed.

Marianne Kelso, our new Biologist at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, NM

Bitter Lake NWR might be just a few miles from UFO hotspots and alien museums, but its real wonders are earthly and extraordinary. As part of the Roswell Artesian Wetlands Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, this unique refuge sits at the intersection of the Chihuahuan Desert, the Pecos River, shortgrass prairie, and the Roswell Artesian Basin. It provides critical habitat for endangered and endemic species like the Pecos sunflower, Roswell springsnail, Noel’s amphipod, and Pecos pupfish, and serves as a vital migratory stopover along the Central Flyway.

Marianne joins the Refuge Association team through a multi-year, grant-funded initiative supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Pecos Watershed Conservation Initiative, which aims to restore habitat, manage invasive species, and bolster ecosystem resilience across the region.

This role is part of a growing tradition of on-the-ground conservation at Bitter Lake NWR. Marianne is continuing the work of past National Wildlife Refuge Association biological technicians— including Anna Lee, Tegan Robert, and JC Boothe, who was recognized as the Early Career Conservationist of the Year for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southwest Region in 2022. Their efforts, along with an American Conservation Experience crew helped launch critical projects such as wildlife-friendly fencing for pronghorn migration, invasive species removal, and restoration of sensitive wetland habitats. Marianne’s arrival ensures that this important work continues.

“Marianne brings a rare blend of experience, passion, and grit to Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge— a place unlike any other, nestled in the heart of the Pecos River watershed,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “This ecosystem is teeming with life found nowhere else on Earth, and with support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, we’re proud to continue putting boots on the ground to protect it. At a time when federal staffing shortfalls threaten the future of national wildlife refuges, Marianne’s work is not only timely— it’s essential.”

Originally from North Carolina, Marianne’s journey into conservation began after a transformative AmeriCorps term with the Utah Conservation Corps shifted her focus from veterinary medicine to wildlife biology. She holds a M.S. in Biology from Grand Valley State University and has contributed to the recovery of a wide range of federally threatened, endangered, and regionally endemic species, including the Mojave Desert tortoise, Utah prairie dog, Mariana crow, and Woundfin.

At Bitter Lake NWR, Marianne will work closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge staff to lead crews of interns and technicians on habitat restoration projects. Her primary focus includes managing invasive species such as salt cedar, advancing climate adaptation efforts, and improving habitat conditions for federally threatened and endangered fish, invertebrate, and plant species. She’ll also conduct waterbird surveys, monitor rare plants and aquatic wildlife, and contribute to daily refuge operations— all a part of a long-term commitment to conservation in one of the country’s most biologically unique landscapes.

For questions related to conservation efforts at Bitter Lake NWR, Marianne can be reached at mkelso@refugeassociation.org.

National Wildlife Refuge Association Welcomes Natalie Balaguer as South Florida Regional Partnership Specialist

Eden Taylor — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:17:00 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27TH, 2025 – The National Wildlife Refuge Association is thrilled to welcome Natalie Balaguer as our new South Florida Regional Partnership Specialist! Based in her home region, Natalie is already making waves across South Florida by reinvigorating partnerships and stewarding exciting conservation initiatives through the Urban Wildlife Refuge Program.

Natalie Balaguer, our new South Florida Regional Partnership Specialist for the Urban Wildlife Refuge Program

Working in close collaboration with the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and local organizations, Natalie is focused on bringing communities together to connect with nature in meaningful, lasting ways. With her roots in South Florida and a background in business administration from Florida Atlantic University, Natalie combines her deep personal ties with professional know-how to strengthen community relationships, engage new audiences, and support conservation efforts on the ground.

“Natalie brings the passion and energy we need to take our South Florida Urban Wildlife Refuge Program work to the next level,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “She’s a connector, a collaborator, and a natural leader—someone who understands the power of place and people. We’re incredibly lucky to have her on board.”

Natalie is building on the strong foundation laid by Liz Figueroa, who helped lay a strong foundation through projects like the Conservation Ranger Camp, Floating Wetlands, and Pocket Refuges. Those programs are already seeing big success: the Floating Wetland installed at SouthTech Academy is thriving, the second annual Conservation Ranger Camp kicks off this spring, and two new Pocket Refuges are set to be planted soon.

In her role, Natalie is building on this momentum while bringing her own vision to the table. She’s partnering with groups like StandFirm Outreach, the Friends of Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to deepen outreach, enhance programming, and celebrate nature across South Florida. She’s also supporting local storytelling—like the powerful film Garden of the Glades—as it reaches new audiences at film festivals and community events throughout the region.

As a first-generation immigrant and proud member of the Hispanic community, Natalie is committed to creating more inclusive pathways to conservation. Her fluency in Spanish and her passion for breaking down barriers make her a vital bridge to South Florida’s diverse communities.

For more information or to connect with Natalie, you can reach her at nbalaguer@refugeassociation.org.

We’re so excited to have Natalie on board—and even more excited about the future of urban conservation in South Florida.

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For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communications & Marketing at etaylor@refugeassociation.org.

National Wildlife Refuge Association Condemns Proposed Transfer Of Camas National Wildlife Refuge To State Control

Eden Taylor — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 21:58:59 +0000

📷 Black-billed Magpie at Camas National Wildlife Refuge, ID | Brent Lawrence/USFWS

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 24th, 2025 –The National Wildlife Refuge Association (Refuge Association) vehemently opposes the proposed transfer of Camas National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System), to the State of Idaho. The effort, initiated by the Idaho State Legislature, threatens to dismantle nearly 90 years of conservation progress and opens the door to selling off national wildlife refuges and America’s other public lands to the highest bidder.

“Camas National Wildlife Refuge is a symbol of what this country can do when we invest in wildlife, community, and restoration,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “This proposal is a betrayal of the American people who built the Refuge System— who cleaned up unwanted lands, restored habitats, and handed down a conservation legacy for future generations. And now somehow federal management is a four letter word - it’s outrageous.”

Established in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Camas NWR spans over 10,000 acres of wetlands, sagebrush steppe, and riparian woodlands in southeastern Idaho. It is a critical stopover along the Pacific Flyway for more than 300 species of migratory birds, including tundra and trumpeter swans, long-billed curlews, short-eared owls, and the iconic greater sage-grouse— a keystone species in western ecosystems. The refuge also draws the public for birdwatching and environmental education, including seasonal events like the Come to Roost event to watch bald eagles return to their roosts, and the beloved annual Birds, Bugles, and Brunch celebration of fall migration and elk bugling.

The proposal— Senate Joint Memorial 104, sponsored by Idaho State Senator Van Burtenshaw— passed the Idaho Senate last week and the House today. The proposal requests federal action to transfer the refuge to state control. The Refuge Association is raising red flags on multiple fronts but perhaps the most important is that it will no longer be a national wildlife refuge and managed for wildlife and biodiversity. It also won’t be managed as part of a System - it will be a lone area with no relationship to the other refuges in the Refuge System, something Congress mandated in the 1997 Refuge Improvement Act.

“What we’re seeing isn’t neglect— it’s a result of a lack of funding and resources,” said Sorenson-Groves. “Congressional appropriations have fallen behind what is needed for refuge management for years, and now the state of Idaho wants to use that to declare its management a failure and give it away. What is really needed is for everyone to come together and fund the Refuge System at a level that will allow refuges to be managed as they should.”

The Refuge Association urges the public and policymakers to reject this attempt to sell off America's conservation legacy. Camas NWR, like all national wildlife refuges, was built with public investment for the benefit of all— not as a handout to private interests.

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As the independent voice advocating on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs that serve the System and wildlife beyond its boundaries. The organization addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.

For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communications & Marketing at etaylor@refugeassociation.org.

Refuge Association Honors Passing of Conservation Legend and Refuge Champion, Raul Grijalva

Eden Taylor — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:33:38 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 14th, 2025 –It is with great sadness that the National Wildlife Refuge Association recognizes the passing of one of the greatest conservationists of our time. Congressman Raul Grijalva, architect of some of the most important conservation laws of our nation, passed yesterday from a long battle with cancer.

“This amazing human being had a profound impact on the lives of every American, whether they realize it or not,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge System. “Every single one of us benefited from his passion and his drive to make our lives better and his legacy will continue to have this impact on future generations.”

Congressman Grijalva spent the entirety of his 22 years in Congress advocating for wildlife conservation. Serving on the House Natural Resources Committee all his Congressional tenure, and as the top Democrat on the Committee for ten of those years, he was instrumental in advancing laws to protect and enhance the National Wildlife Refuge System including the Great American Outdoors Act which permanently authorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Grijalva was also passionate about the national wildlife refuges and other public lands in his district. Cabeza Prieta and Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuges were places he visited and was in awe at the wildlife that called these places home. And he valued both the federal employees and non profit Refuge Friends organizations who work so hard to ensure wildlife like the Pronghorn Antelope and Masked Bobwhite Quail thrive for present and future generations of Americans

The Congressman spoke about the importance of the Refuge System in a 2015 opinion piece in The Hill, "National Wildlife Refuges preserve and restore key pieces of our natural heritage, fuel local economies, and provide unparalleled outdoor opportunities. They are America’s insurance policy for nature. Congress should make it easier, not harder, for Americans to enjoy these benefits."

Mr. Grijalva was one of the greatest conservation heroes our country has ever known. The National Wildlife Refuge System would not be what it is today without his help and support and we will greatly miss his strength, wit, passion and dedication to our nation and our nation’s wildlife heritage.

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For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communications & Marketing at etaylor@refugeassociation.org.

Nancy Marshall Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Eden Taylor — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 21:08:00 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 3RD, 2025 –Environmentalist and philanthropist Nancy Marshall received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Wildlife Refuge Association at the organization’s 50th anniversary kickoff celebration. The event was held January 24 at Grand Living in West Palm Beach, Florida. More than 90 guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner, auction, and dancing with entertainment by Bianna Rosarrio. Marshall was lauded for her work in fundraising and program development for the organization.

Marshall serves on the Board of Directors of the National Wildlife Refuge Association (Refuge Association) based in Washington, D.C. Before joining the Refuge Association board, she presented workshops on behalf of the Refuge Association and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife nationally promoting environmental stewardship and diversity in the country’s national parks and national wildlife refuges delivering programs connecting children with the environment. In 2010, Nancy was awarded the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Regional Director’s Award for championing efforts to provide a state-of-the-art interpretive Everglades’ exhibit at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.

Nancy Marshall received the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award from MajGen E. Gray Payne, Chair of the Board of the organization.

From 2001 to 2017, prior to its transition to the Everglades Foundation, Nancy was President of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation for the Everglades (ARMF) - a nonprofit organization devoted to developing, promoting, and delivering award-winning, science-based environmental education and public outreach programs central to the restoration of the Everglades ecosystem. She is lauded for negotiating numerous community partnerships with like-minded organizations to encourage the next generation as stewards of the environment.

The National Wildlife Refuge Association is the voice for the National Wildlife Refuge System, which is the largest network of lands and waters in the world set aside for conservation. The Refuge Association unites individuals, friend’s groups, and policymakers to ensure its protection for generations to come.

Marshall also serves on the board of the Everglades Foundation and the Mandel Library Foundation of West Palm Beach and is actively involved with the Sovereign Order of St. John, Palm Beach Commandery.

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For all media inquiries and questions, please contact Eden Taylor, Director of Communications & Marketing at etaylor@refugeassociation.org.