News

Willapa Tidings
Willapa Tidings is a quarterly newsletter published by the Friends of Willapa NWR to keep members up to date on the activities of the Friends group and refuge happenings, as well as to provide fun and informative articles on a variety of topics related to the refuge. Members receive the newsletter as part of their membership.

Press Releases
Press Releases--2007
June 21, 2007: Senator Murray Provides $1 Million to Help Eradicate Spartina Grass at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Senator Murray press release (html link)

Press Releases--2005
June 9, 2005: Two Ilwaco High School Seniors Receive Scholarships from Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Scholarship Seniors Press Release (348K PDF file)
Tom Browning and Jason Wirkkala (68K JPEG)

March 11, 2005: The Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Invites Everyone to Critter Trivia!
Critter Trivia Press Release (656K PDF file)

February 21, 2005: Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Scholarship Program Available for Pacific County High School Seniors Interested in Natural Sciences and Conservation
Scholarship press release (48K PDF file)

February 4, 2005: Successful Educational Program in Its 5th Year
Education press release (52K PDF file)

January 28, 2005: Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Scholarship Campaign Announced
Campaign press release (60K PDF file)

Press Releases--2004
November 19, 2004: Endowment Announcement Supports Scholarship Fund Campaign
Endowment press release (128K PDF file)

October 19, 2004: A Night about Ellsworth Creek
Ellsworth Night press release (112K PDF file)

September 27, 2004: First Annual Long Island Hike and BBQ
BBQ press release (116K PDF file)

September 15, 2004: Public Invited to Learn More about a Local Treasure: Ellsworth Creek Preserve
Ellsworth press release (144K PDF file)

September 8, 2004: Grand Opening of the Salmon Trail This Fall--Volunteers Needed
Salmon Trail press release (96K PDF file)

September 1, 2004: National Wildlife Refuge Association Tours Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Woodbridge press release (156K PDF file)

June 6, 2004: Willapa Valley Senior Receives Scholarship from Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Scholarship Senior release (208K PDF file)

May 1, 2004: Photography Blind at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Available to Area Birders
Photo Blind press release (32K PDF file)

March 11, 2004: David Gonzales joins the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge staff as Refuge Manager
New Manager press release (128K PDF file)

Press Releases--2003
December 26, 2003: Volunteers stock cutthroat trout and plant salmon eggs in Long Island's famed Cedar Grove, one of several aquatic and riparian habitats being restored on Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Volunteer for Wildlife press release (112K PDF file)

June 25, 2003: New Outdoor Recreation Planner Joins Willapa Refuge
Massin press release (52K PDF file)

April 24, 2003: Senator Patty Murray Visits Willapa National Wildlife Refuge to Review Spartina Control Program
Murray press release (168K PDF file)

March 17, 2003: Students Present Design Details of Interpretive Trail
Trail's Tale Told press release (52K PDF file)

March 17, 2003: Time Capsule Buried at Willapa to Commemorate 100th Birthday of Refuge System
Celebrating 100 Years press release (52K PDF file)

Jan. 27, 2003: Interpretive Salmon Trail to be focus of Public Art Design Competition
Trail press release (120K PDF file)

News Archive
Willapa Refuge in the News--2008
April 30, 2008 Willapa Friends leaders thank lawmakers, learn of refuge topics at national conference
Chinook Observer article (html link)

April 23, 2008 Portland Girl Scouts visit wildlife refuge
Chinook Observer article (html link)

March 26, 2008 Spartina No More: "Huge success" in fight to eradicate invasive grass on Willapa Bay
Chinook Observer article (html link)

March 19, 2008 Comment on wildlife refuge March 26
Chinook Observer article (html link)

February 13, 2008 Refuge scholarship application process announced
Chinook Observer article (html link)

Willapa Refuge in the News--2007
Autumn 2007: Mixing Art and Nature at Willapa Bay
University of Washington A & S Perspectives (html link)

October 19, 2007: Art Imitates Wildlife
Longview Daily News article (html link)

October 10, 2007: Willapa Refuge celebrates 70th anniversary this Saturday
Chinook Observer article (html link)

October 3, 2007: Refuge Friends host poster artist reception
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 19, 2007: Letter: Active mosquito trapping programs finds no West Nile here
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 22, 2007: Area artists commemorate 70th Anniversary of Willapa Refuge with poster contest
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 22, 2007: Friends of Willapa NWR conquer Long Island with hike and BBQ
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 15, 2007: Purple martins make their homes at the refuge
Chinook Observer article (html link)

June 20, 2007: New Interpretative Artwork proposed for Willapa Wildlife Refuge
Chinook Observer article (html link)

May 30, 2007: Sound work ethic paying off for Naselle senior Robert Rangila
Chinook Observer article (html link)

May 23, 2007: Getting back to the garden
Chinook Observer article (html link)

February 28, 2007: Harbinger of springtime on the refuge: Skunk cabbage
Chinook Observer article (html link)

January 24, 2007: Apply now for refuge friends' scholarships
Chinook Observer article (html link)

Willapa Refuge in the News--2006
November 22, 2006: Chum numbers tumble with hatchery cuts, more gillnetters
Chinook Observer article (html link)

October 4, 2006: Willapa Refuge seeks volunteers for Salmon Trail during spawning season
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 20, 2006: Peninsula mosquitoes have a 'buzzy' summer
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 20, 2006: Long believed extinct in Washington: Scientists excited to discover lost flower at Leadbetter
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 6, 2006: Team effort spurs road removal
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 30, 2006: With Friends like these, the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is safe and sound
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 23, 2006: Agencies' cooperative effort spurs restoration of creek bed at refuge
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 23, 2006: Murray pledges to continue battle against spartina
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 2, 2006: Western brook lamprey makes annual appearance at refuge
Chinook Observer article (html link)

June, 21 2006: Ilwaco High School students teach local 8th-graders about the tide flats
Chinook Observer article (html link)

June 14, 2006: Graduates honored with scholarships for achievements
Chinook Observer article (html link)

May 31, 2006: What birds can tell us
Chinook Observer article (html link)

May 24, 2006: Ilwaco High students and Friends of WNWR share the joy of nature with area school children
Chinook Observer article (html link)

May 17, 2006: Taking walks on the wild side
Chinook Observer article (html link)

March 23, 2006; Willapa Bay Salmon Trail: a boardwalk on the wild side
Seattle Times article (html link)

March 22, 2006: Private landowners now must control spartina on the bay
Chinook Observer article (html link)

March 8, 2006: Wildlife refuge friends seeking applicants for annual college scholarship
Chinook Observer article (html link)

March 8, 2006: Wildlife refuge friends seeking applicants for annual college scholarship
Chinook Observer article (html link)

Willapa Refuge in the News--2005
December 30, 2005: Visit remarkable Long Island
Chinook Observer article (html link)

December 30, 2005: Peninsula Wildlife: One of the world’s best places to observe birds and wildlife
Chinook Observer article (html link)

December 7, 2005: Friends of Refuge hike new part of trail
Chinook Observer article (html link)

November 2, 2005: A trail with a tale etches out further with new leg of trail
Chinook Observer article (html link)

November 2, 2005: Sandridge Road wildlife photography blind reopens to public
Chinook Observer article (html link)

October 12, 2005: Editorial: Support our refuges
Chinook Observer article (html link)

October 10, 2005: Let us praise our wildlife refuges
Daily Astorian article (html link)

October 5, 2005: Blaze threatens cedar grove
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 28, 2005: Help show off new Salmon Trail
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 28, 2005: Setting nets to learn more about vital creatures: Bats
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 14, 2005: Robust program of mosquito monitoring in Pacific County
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 14, 2005: Planted oyster shells appear to be perfect for plover nests
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 31, 2005: Baird lines up spartina-control funds
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 31, 2005: Editorial: Thanks to Don Bonker
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 31, 2005: Don Bonker honored for saving ancient cedar grove
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 25, 2005: Willapa cedar grove gets a new name
Daily Astorian article (html link)

July 20, 2005: Spartina lawsuit settled, clearing way to controlling invasive grass
Chinook Observer article (html link)

July 02, 2005: Spartina's tide may be ebbing
Longview Daily News article (html link)

June 1, 2005: Bay overflows with 8th grade science lessons
Chinook Observer article (html link)

May 25, 2005: Spartina war turns a hopeful corner with new herbicide
Chinook Observer article (html link)

May 25, 2005: Refuge refresher course
Chinook Observer article (html link)

April 13, 2005: Critter Talk II, a fun evening
Chinook Observer article (html link)

April 6, 2005: Gorse me out
Chinook Observer article (html link)

March 16, 2005: Refuge Friends: Willapa refuge friends visit Washington, D.C.
Chinook Observer article (html link)

February 25, 2005: In One Ear
Daily Astorian article (html link)

February 23, 2005: Lawsuit spells trouble for bay spartina fight
Chinook Observer article (html link)

February 23, 2005: Deadline nears for Friends of Refuge scholarship applications
Chinook Observer article (html link)

February 9, 2005: Work under way to improve plover habitat near Leadbetter
Chinook Observer article (html link)

February 9, 2005: Willapa Refuge plays host to local school children
Chinook Observer article (html link)

February 2, 2005: Refuge friends raising scholarship funds
Chinook Observer article (html link)

Willapa Refuge in the News--2004
December 28, 2004: Visit our remarkable wildlife refuge
Chinook Observer article (html link)

December 27, 2004: One of the world’s best places to observe birds and wildlife
Chinook Observer article (html link)

December 1, 2004: Congress provides funds for various Pacific County needs
Chinook Observer article (html link)

November 26, 2004: The Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge launch scholarship fund campaign for 2005 program
Daily Astorian article (html link)

November 24, 2004: Endowment Announcement Supports Scholarship Fund Campaign
Chinook Observer article (html link)

November 24, 2004: Inside Naselle School: Naselle elementary fourth-grade students learn from Wildlife Friends
Chinook Observer article (html link)

November 18, 2004: Snowy plovers produce record nesting season
Longview Daily News article (html link)

November 17, 2004: Grassy Island: The Island That Isn’t
Chinook Observer article (html link)

November 01, 2004: Study seeks to answer questions on spartina grass
The Longview Daily News article (html link)

October 27, 2004: Ellsworth Creek manager speaks to public about preservation efforts
Chinook Observer article (html link)

October 13, 2004: Park Happenings: Leadbetter Point: For the Birds and Norah
Chinook Observer article (html link)

October 1, 2004: Friends explore Willapa refuge
Daily Astorian article (html link)

September 29, 2004: Ellsworth Creek Preserve
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 29, 2004: Willapa Refuge Friends take hike on Long Island and enjoy barbecue
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 22, 2004: Murray lines up $1.4 million for spartina grass control in Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 15, 2004: New refuge trail looking for volunteers for upcoming salmon spawning season
Chinook Observer article (html link)

September 8, 2004: Lobbyist tours Willapa Wildlife Refuge
Chinook Observer article (html link)

August 06, 2004: Spartina Battle: Tide turning, but fight to save fish, wildlife hitting snags
The Longview Daily News article (html link)

August 4, 2004: Refuge friends receive $3,000 grant
Chinook Observer article (html link)

June 30, 2004: Baird, Dicks shepherd $1.4 million in anti-spartina funds through Congress
Chinook Observer article (html link)

June 30, 2004: Bay’s spartina warriors add potent herbicide to quiver of weapons
Chinook Observer article (html link)

June 30, 2004: World’s oldest frog is refuge’s ‘newest’ resident
Chinook Observer article (html link)

June 19, 2004: House slates $1.4 million to root spartina from Willapa Bay
The Longview Daily News article (html link)

June 16, 2004: Willapa High senior receives FWNWR scholarship
Chinook Observer article (html link)

June 4, 2004: Students pay visit to wildlife refuge
Daily Astorian article (html link)

June 2, 2004: News in Brief: $750K grant helps Ellsworth project
Chinook Observer article (html link)

June 2, 2004: Willapa Refuge Hosts 170 4th Graders
Chinook Observer article (html link) 

May 25, 2004: Feds pump $750K into refuge area
The Longview Daily News

May 19, 2004: New Nest Confirms Recently Restored Plover Habitat
Chinook Observer article (html link)

May 07, 2004: Area birders invited to use refuge's new blind
The Longview Daily News article (html link)

May 5, 2004: Photography Blind at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Available to Area Birders
Chinook Observer article (html link)

Apr 01, 2004: Willapa wildlife refuge adds manager
Longview Daily News article (html link)

March 31, 2004: Treasure our refuges
Chinook Observer article (html link)

March 31, 2004: Willapa Wildlife Refuge Grows 422 Acres with Latest Addition
Chinook Observer article (html link)

March 29, 2004: Efforts to snuff out spartina yield mixed results
Longview Daily News article (html link)

March 24, 2004: Wildlife refuge swells to 15K acres
Longview Daily News article (html link)

March 17, 2004: David Gonzales named manager at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Chinook Observer article (html link)

January 02, 2004: New Interpretation
Longview Daily News article (html link)

May 3, 2003: Wildlife on Willapa
Longview, Washington, Daily News article

April 30, 2003: Spartina Foe Patty Murray Honored for Her Efforts on Behalf of Willapa's Health
Long Beach, Washington, Chinook Observer article

April 29, 2003: National Environmental Coalition for Invasive Species Testimony before the US House Resources Committee
(64K PDF file; Willapa Refuge mentioned on page 6 of 14)

April 26, 2003: Deer Heart
Longview, Washington, Daily News article

April 16, 2003: Hilltop Students Get Close-Up Look at Wildlife Refuge
Long Beach, Washington, Chinook Observer article

April 16, 2003: When at Leadbetter, Watch out for Plovers
Long Beach, Washington, Chinook Observer article

March 18, 2003: UW Art Students Show Off Designs for Interpretive Trail
Longview, Washington, Daily News article on unveiling of designs

March 18, 2003: Trail of Art and Architecture
Astoria, Oregon, Daily Astorian article on unveiling of interpretive trail design models

March 3, 2003: Death Knell for Willapa Weed?
Longview Daily News article on spartina at the Refuge

Feb. 13, 2003: Refuge Gets $1 Million for Spartina Control & $750,000 for Additional Lands
Senator Murray's press release (See under "Other Earmarks for Southwest Washington")