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The Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Refuge programs and enhancing awareness and appreciation of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. Come explore the unique and beautiful wildlife areas in Pacific and Wahkiakum Counties that comprise the Refuge complex!


         

Charlie and Sylvia’s Open House, Oct. 24

Please join the Friends Board at an Open House to thank Charlie and Sylvia Pelizza for their many years of volunteering and support of the Refuge. The gathering will be at the Ilwaco Cider House, 116 Spruce Street, from 5:30 to 7:30, on Thursday, October 24. Help us recognize this dynamic duo’s contributions and enjoy appetizers and cider and other beverages at a no-host bar. Spouses and friends are welcome. There will be time to share stories.

It's a wrap! . . .

The Wings Over Willapa festival has finished another successful run for 2024. Starting early Saturday morning September 20 at 7:30 for the ever popular Leadbetter Adventure to the concluding event, Bird Baths from Clay, Sunday afternoon September 22 at 1:00. Interspersed were a barge trip to Long Island, a hike to the Giants of Teal Slough, and many opportunities to observe the birdlife of the Long Beach peninsula.  The festival hosted 23 different events over the three days, featuring keynote speaker author Marina Ritchie Saturday evening. We would like to thank everyone who participated in this year's festival. Special thanks to all event leaders, community groups, and volunteers who made this weekend a wonderful experience for families, friends, and individual visitors alike! 

Marina Ritchie, the keynote speaker at the Wings Festival, wrote the following about her visit on her blog, https://marinarichie.com/ Marina's keynote address was an inspiration for bird and nature lovers!

"On the cusp of the autumnal equinox, I had the pleasure of giving the keynote speech –“Kinship with Kingfishers”– at the Wings Over Willapa bird festival on the Long Beach Peninsula of southwest Washington. Brown Pelicans sailed the Pacific waves–riding a cushion of salty air and plunge-diving with those bucket beaks to scoop up fish. On the bay side, high tinkling notes of Golden-crowned Kinglets ringed the candelabra canopies of ancient western red cedars saved from the chainsaw on Long Island and Teal Sough– protected within the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.

And yes…a female Belted Kingfisher hovered above Tarlatt Slough as a river otter popped up from reflecting waters to gaze at our birding group in whiskered curiosity. The kingfisher’s cinnamon-red belt signaled–Queenfisher! A boy named Shepherd gazed through the spotting scope when she perched briefly on a refuge sign in the marsh. A juvenile Northern Harrier skimmed the grasses with easy flaps and glides.

Shepherd’s father and grandfather were there as well– three generations sharing a love of birds. Shepherd carefully printed the names of certain birds in the lined pages at the back of a bird book he clutched in his hands."


Environmental Education

The Refuge Explorers program for 4th grade students at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge was a great success March – May 2024! Volunteers are an integral part of this program, helping to connect students with nature.


The convergence Art Table is complete!

Visit this newly finished gorgeous art in a spectacular setting at the Refuge Headquarters at 7112 67th Pl in Long Beach.


Plan Your Visit to Willapa Refuge

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is over 17,000 acres of tidelands, temperate rainforest, ocean beaches, and small streams. It also includes several rare remnants of old growth coastal cedar forest.


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