Organizations

You may be wondering, what is the schedule going to be for the BirdFest part of BirdFest & Bluegrass this year?

Well, there isn’t going to be one technically. All our videos are going to be available all at once on October 2nd, all in one simple link!

We will have a variety of nostalgically themed videos that resemble the activities you know and love from in-person BirdFest events, like the Cathlapotle Plankhouse hike, the Night Hike, birding workshops, Refuge info, and so much more.

Of course, there will be tons going on in downtown Ridgefield for you to check out, which is why we wanted the videos to be easy to find. While you’re downtown, you can view the videos in our “Previews” booth that the city will provide, right alongside the vendors, family activities, and Bluegrass pickers and bands. and of course, don’t forget that the Refuge will be free!

Saturday, October 2nd, we are taking you, Back to the Refuge!

BirdFest & Bluegrass is a joint event planned in a partnership between the City of Ridgefield and the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge that includes virtual and in-person activities, crafts, musical performances, and a Pickers Festival.

Congratulations to the winners of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge’s Spring Break Youth Art Contest! Looks like we have a bunch of outstanding artists in our community. These are the winning entries…

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Category

1st Place

Otterable Mention #1

Otterable Mention #2

3rd – 4th Grade Category

1st Place

Otterable Mention #1

Otterable Mention #2

5th – 6th Grade Category

1st Place

Otterable Mention #1

Otterable Mention #2

7th – 8th Grade Category

1st Place

Otterable Mention #1

Otterable Mention #2

Do you know someone in grades K-8 who is interested in art and nature?

Looking for a fun creative way to spend spring break 2021 with the kids?

Join the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge for our first annual Spring Break Youth Art Contest! The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge are pleased to announce a brand new 2021 Spring Break Youth Art Contest, which is open to K-8th grade students residing in the Ridgefield School District, Clark County, and the Portland-Metro area, including those who are homeschooled or belong to a youth/art program. The contest is an activity aimed at Spring Break 2021, to encourage youth to get outside or visit the Refuge during the break. If you do head to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, don’t forget to pay your entrance fee, enter your pass number or purchase a pass, and follow all the Refuge rules, like staying on the trail!

For more information on the contest go to contact@ridgefieldfriends.org

Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge reached their goal of $5,000 yesterday in the GiveMore24! event.

Thank you!

They not only reached their goal in record time, but beat last year’s achievement by $182.00. This is all thanks to members and volunteers, the generous match offered by the Hugh & Mair Lewis Charitable Fund, and every single one of you!

You don’t have to stop spreading the message and supporting the cause, because #GiveMore24! isn’t over yet. In case you want to get in on the action, it’s not too late: donate now.

Kiwa Trail closure August 12th & 13th for a prescribed burn to improve habitat. This closure MAY be extended to the entire Auto Tour. Stay tuned to our website here for updates.

For more information about prescribed burns at Ridgefield NWR check out Refuge 20/20.

The Kiwa trail reopened Saturday August 8th. Besides the 12th & 13th, visitors are asked to use the trail as a one-way counter clockwise loop to minimize the need to pass visitors in narrow areas and allow everyone to recreate safely and comfortably. Be aware that parking is limited on this popular trail so you may need to do a loop around the auto tour to wait for a spot to park. Parking is not allowed along the shoulders of the auto tour.

The Auto Tour Route on the River S Unit is open to vehicle traffic ONLY. No bikes or pedestrian access at this time.

There will be no public access to bathrooms, informational kiosks, and the viewing blind due to the inability to provide the public with regularly disinfected surfaces according to CDC guidelines and/or proper social distancing opportunities in these spaces.

The Refuge is fee free at this time.

Current open  gates times for the Auto Tour Route on the River ‘S’ Unit are: 6 AM – 8:30 PM.

For Walking Trails during this closure, the Carty Unit is open.

Note that gates close automatically. Vehicles must exit the Refuge before the gate closes and there is no entry before or after hours. Please expect increased traffic and long waiting times to navigate around the tour and plan accordingly.