Refuge staff say, "Rally for the refuge"

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge staff invite people to rally for the Refuge. The year 2013 has brought increased federal budget constraints and a cut of the refuges’ summer Youth Conservation Corps programs. These youth crews conduct much needed work to keep facilities looking good, invasive species at bay, and accomplish other light conservation efforts.

This summer and fall, refuge staff, friends and other volunteers will put on events for the public. Participants may learn about neighborhood refuges, explore unique places, meet new people, and work hard for wildlife:

--June 22nd - Celebrate pollinator week with a dune grass round-up and native plant patrol at Leadbetter. Meet at the Oysterville Beach approach at 9 a.m. for this 3-hour event.

--July 5th – Join the Friends and the Grassroots Garbage Gang for Beach Clean-up. Meet at the Cranberry Beach approach at 9:30 a.m. for this 2-hour event.

--July 13th – Be the first to clean up the Friends Adopt-a-Highway section near Refuge Headquarters on Highway 101. Meet at 10 a.m. at Refuge headquarters on Highway 101 west of Naselle for this 2-hour event. Stay and participate in a potluck lunch.

--July 17th – Travel to Julia Bulter Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer for a wildlife wander, work party and sandwich potluck. Transportation from Willapa Headquarters is available. Meet at Willapa NWR Headquarters at 9 a.m. to travel to JBH for a 10 a.m. start to this 3-hour event.

--July 20th – Be part of the solution to bring back the threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly to Washington State, and gather for a Weed Rumble at the Tarlatt Unit. Meet at the Refuge end of 95th (follow the event signs) for a 9 a.m. start to this 2-hour event.

--August 8th – Get your Zen on at this Trail Work Party. Walk the labyrinth and learn why forests are great for relaxation, work and play. Gather at Refuge headquarters at 10 a.m. for this 2-hour event. Stay for a veggie-themed potluck lunch.

--August 17th – Get deputized as a Saltmarsh Marshal and help search for fugitives; the few outlaw Spartina plants that is. Commissions take place at 8:30 a.m. sharp at Refuge Headquarters. The search will continue until 11 am. Space is limited. Participants are urged to RSVP.

--September 21st – Get deputized as a Saltmarsh Marshal and help search for fugitives; the few outlaw Spartina plants that is. Commissions take place at 8:30 a.m. sharp at Refuge Headquarters. The search will continue until noon. Space is limited. Participants are urged to RSVP.

For more details about these events and to discover additional opportunities to enjoy your local refuges visit http://www.fws.gov/refuge/willapa or https://www.facebook.com/WillapaNWRComplex. Contact Nancy Holman, Visitor Services Manager at 360-484-3482, nancy_holman@fws.gov.