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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251218T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251218T200000
DTSTAMP:20251207T044559Z
CREATED:20251207T043256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251207T044559Z
UID:10000046-1766041200-1766088000@coalitionofrefugefriends.com
SUMMARY:State of the System Report: Gratitude\, Grit & the Road Ahead
DESCRIPTION:As we approach the longest night of the year\, we pause to reflect—with gratitude for the wild places that ground us and resolve to protect them through whatever comes next. \nJoin Desirée Sorenson-Groves\, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association\, for a timely briefing on the state of the National Wildlife Refuge System. With the fallout from the recent government shutdown still unfolding—and the threat of another on the horizon—America’s wildlife refuges are facing some of their toughest challenges yet. \nFrom deepening staff shortages to chronic underfunding and shifting policy winds\, the path forward is not without obstacles. But in these darker times\, new light begins to shine: innovative partnerships\, community-led conservation\, and a growing movement of people ready to defend our nation’s wild heritage. This webinar offers a chance to take stock\, find hope\, and recommit to protecting the lands and wildlife that sustain us all. \nPresenter \n\nDesirée Sorenson-Groves came back to the Refuge Association in October 2024 as the President and CEO. Her career has been focused on protecting and enhancing the National Wildlife Refuge System\, first as a grassroots organizer for the National Audubon Society\, then as the Vice President of Government Affairs for the Refuge Association. After 14 years at NWRA\, Sorenson-Groves became the Director of the Arctic Refuge Defense Campaign where she managed an Indigenous-led\, multi-pronged effort to stop any development in the Arctic Refuge. She comes back to NWRA after leading Defenders of Wildlife’s public and private lands programs as their Vice President of Land & Habitat Conservation. She has a B.A. in Geography from George Washington University and resides in Fort Valley\, VA with her husband and two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.\n\nSign Up! \n 
URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/state-of-the-system-report-gratitude-grit-the-road-ahead/
CATEGORIES:Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260115T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260115T160000
DTSTAMP:20260110T125431Z
CREATED:20260108T235238Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260110T125431Z
UID:10000047-1768489200-1768492800@coalitionofrefugefriends.com
SUMMARY: Director's Order:  Review of the National Wildlife Refuge System
DESCRIPTION:Joshua W.D. Coursey joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service following 13 years as Founder and President/CEO of the Muley Fanatic Foundation (MFF)\, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of mule deer and their habitat. Under his leadership\, MFF evolved from a grassroots initiative into a nationally recognized conservation force\, with active chapters in seven states\, members in all 50 states\, and more than 700 Life Members.\n\n\nCoursey’s leadership earned him a respected voice in broader wildlife and hunting policy efforts. He co-chaired the state’s Chronic Wasting Disease Working Group in 2020\, has served on the Wyoming Governor’s Big Game License Coalition since 2017\, and was a member of Governor Gordon’s Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce.\n\nJoshua is a native of Wyoming\, and serves as Senior Advisor to FWS Director Brian Nesvik.  He was recently tasked by Director Nesvik to lead a comprehensive review of the National Wildlife Refuge System\, its organization\, its workforce\, facilities and management structure.\n\nAs part of this review\, he is seeking feedback and ideas from State Agencies and Partner organizations\, including Refuge Friends Groups.   This Webinar is an opportunity for the Refuge Friends Community to learn about this review and to understand how best to provide him with meaningful feedback.\n\n\nSign Up!
URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/directors-order-review-of-the-national-wildlife-refuge-system/
CATEGORIES:Event
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ORGANIZER;CN="Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates (CORFA)":MAILTO:coalitionrefugefriends@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260220
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260221
DTSTAMP:20260202T141439Z
CREATED:20260113T133941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T141439Z
UID:10000048-1771545600-1771631999@coalitionofrefugefriends.com
SUMMARY:USFWS Accepting Application for Friends Academy
DESCRIPTION:FWS is now accepting applications for Friends Academy. The academy will take place at National Conservation Training Center from July 20- 24\, 2026. Applications are due February 20\, and applicants will be notified by March 20 of their status. Lodging and meals will be provided and participants will be reimbursed for their travel expenses (so all expenses are covered).\n\nApplicants can self nominate or be nominated by an FWS staff person or another Friends group member. Regardless of how the applicant is nominated\,the  FWS partner must provide their input on the application. The type of nomination (self vs. someone else nominating the applicant) does not affect the review process.\n\nAttached is the application but it can also be found on FWS’ website. Note this form was updated 1.30.26 to make it easier to fill.\nhttps://www.fws.gov/media/friends-academy-application\n\nIt  is also accessible from the landing page of the SharePoint site for FWS folks-\nhttps://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/fws-FF09R00000/SitePages/Friends-Landing.aspx\n\n\nIf there are any questions please contact Linda Schnee.
URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/usfws-accepting-application-for-friends-academy/
CATEGORIES:Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260324T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260324T190000
DTSTAMP:20260304T144507Z
CREATED:20260304T144507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T144507Z
UID:10000054-1774375200-1774378800@coalitionofrefugefriends.com
SUMMARY:Build Your Own Backyard Refuge
DESCRIPTION:As the seasons change\, so do the needs and behaviors of our feathered friends. Let Laurel share her tips for staying in tune with nature this nesting season and learn how to turn your yard into a backyard refuge! \nThe New Mexico Backyard Refuge Program is an initiative to expand wildlife habitat in the Albuquerque area by encouraging residents to share space with wildlife by adding native plants and caring for their yards with wildlife-friendly practices. We share our backyards with hundreds\, even thousands of different plants and animals\, but as cities grow\, places for wildlife become fewer and farther between. All species are in constant need of suitable habitat in which to dwell and give the next generation a chance to thrive. With wildlife gardening\, we can enhance our own outdoor spaces while providing resources for our wild neighbors to make their homes. Even in urban areas\, we can make changes that allow other species to flourish with us. Wildlife gardening provides a means of cooperating with our wild neighbors by being aware of their needs and deliberately creating spaces that we can share with our wild neighbors. \nFrom a large\, one acre lot that can host numerous different trees\, shrubs and flowers\, to a deck or balcony large enough for just a small container garden\, everyone can contribute by making an effort to garden for wildlife and landscape for conservation. \nRegister Now
URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/build-your-own-backyard-refuge/
CATEGORIES:Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260324T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260324T190000
DTSTAMP:20260223T131815Z
CREATED:20260223T131652Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T131815Z
UID:10000052-1774378800-1774378800@coalitionofrefugefriends.com
SUMMARY:2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards
DESCRIPTION:The Refuge Association is hosting the 2025 National Wildlife Refuge Awards — A Virtual National Celebration of the Refuge System — on Tuesday\, March 24\, 2026\, at 7:00 pm ET (6:00 pm CT / 5:00 pm MT / 4:00 pm PT). \nRSVP link to share: https://refugeassociation.org/livestream\n(When people RSVP\, they receive the Zoom link and event reminders by email. They can opt in to stay on our email list\, but otherwise won’t get ongoing messages from us.) \nFriends groups and volunteers help make refuges welcoming\, resilient\, and loved. This livestream is a chance to show up for one another — to celebrate the Friends groups\, volunteers\, and refuge staff who keep refuges thriving. We are one Refuge System\, and our movement is more powerful when we show up together. \nIf you’re able\, would you share the RSVP link once this week\, and then again as we get closer to March 24th? \nTo help lighten the lift\, we created a short Friends Share Toolkit  with ready-to-use social captions and a newsletter blurb you can drop into your next update. \nThank you so much for helping spread the word. \nTogether we are Refuge Strong\, \nDesirée Sorenson-Groves\nPresident & CEO\nNational Wildlife Refuge Association
URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/2025-national-wildlife-refuge-awards/
CATEGORIES:Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T190000
DTSTAMP:20260406T192421Z
CREATED:20260406T192421Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260406T192421Z
UID:10000057-1775671200-1775674800@coalitionofrefugefriends.com
SUMMARY:State of the System Report: President's Budget\, Refuge Funding\, & What Comes Next
DESCRIPTION:Join Desirée Sorenson-Groves\, President & CEO of the Refuge Association\, for a timely State of the System briefing focused on the FY2027 President’s Budget\, what it signals for National Wildlife Refuge System funding\, and what to watch as Congress shapes budget decisions. We’ll also share ways supporters can help strengthen refuges in the months ahead. \nPresenter \n\nDesirée Sorenson-Groves came back to the Refuge Association in October 2024 as the President and CEO. Her career has been focused on protecting and enhancing the National Wildlife Refuge System\, first as a grassroots organizer for the National Audubon Society\, then as the Vice President of Government Affairs for the Refuge Association. After 14 years at NWRA\, Sorenson-Groves became the Director of the Arctic Refuge Defense Campaign where she managed an Indigenous-led\, multi-pronged effort to stop any development in the Arctic Refuge. She comes back to NWRA after leading Defenders of Wildlife’s public and private lands programs as their Vice President of Land & Habitat Conservation. She has a B.A. in Geography from George Washington University and resides in Fort Valley\, VA with her husband and two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.\n\nSign Up!
URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/state-of-the-system-report-presidents-budget-refuge-funding-what-comes-next/
CATEGORIES:Event
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260413
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260425
DTSTAMP:20260413T141934Z
CREATED:20260413T141934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T141934Z
UID:10000060-1776038400-1777075199@coalitionofrefugefriends.com
SUMMARY:Written Testimony for House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior\, Environment\, and Related Agencies
DESCRIPTION:As in past years\, interested parties can submit written testimony to be included in the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior\, Environment\, and Related Agencies. \nAn electronic copy of your testimony must be recieved no later than 5pm eastern on Friday\, April 24\, 2026. \nThe National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) will be sending to Friends organizations suggested talking points. NWRA will request $761 million in the FY 27 budget for the National Wildlife Refuge System. \nClick for complete instructions. \nExample of testimony submitted in 2024
URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/written-testimony-for-house-committee-on-appropriations-subcommittee-on-interior-environment-and-related-agencies/
CATEGORIES:Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260426T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260426T170000
DTSTAMP:20260412T115358Z
CREATED:20260412T115358Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260412T115358Z
UID:10000059-1777222800-1777222800@coalitionofrefugefriends.com
SUMMARY:Drones Over Kuaihelani
DESCRIPTION:Join Friends of Midway Atoll for their upcoming live webinar\, Drones Over Kuaihelani\, featuring guest speaker\, biologist & drone operator Anna Vallery! She will take you behind the scenes of how cutting-edge drone technology is transforming seabird monitoring on Midway Atoll. The presentation will include a slideshow and a live Q&A session at the end! \nSave the Date – Sunday\, April 26\, 2026 \n\n11:00am Hawai’i Time\n2:00 PM Pacific Time\n5:00 PM Eastern Time\n\nDuring this webinar\, Anna will discuss: \n\nThe challenges and opportunities of working with seabirds in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands\nHow drones are being used to support monitoring efforts\nHow imagery from drones can be analyzed to count birds\, distinguish between breeding and non-breeding albatross\n\n…and more!  \nSpots are limited—reserve yours now:\nhttps://friendsofmidway.org/register-for-our-live-webinar-drones-over-kuaihelani/ \nThis is your chance to experience Midway in a whole new way—and connect more deeply with the impact you can make as a valued part of our FOMA community. \nMahalo for being part of this journey\,
URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/drones-over-kuaihelani/
CATEGORIES:Event
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260609
DTSTAMP:20260602T154405Z
CREATED:20260501T114912Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T154405Z
UID:10000064-1777593600-1780963199@coalitionofrefugefriends.com
SUMMARY:2026 National Wildlife Refuge Awards!
DESCRIPTION:For more than 50 years\, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has worked to protect\, promote\, and enhance the National Wildlife Refuge System. We are continually inspired by the people whose dedication\, leadership\, and care make conservation possible every day. \nThat’s why we’re excited to open nominations for the\n2026 National Wildlife Refuge Awards! \nEach year\, these awards recognize outstanding individuals and groups who go above and beyond for national wildlife refuges\, whether as a dedicated refuge manager\, an exceptional employee\, a committed volunteer\, an inspiring Refuge Friends group\, or a steadfast advocate. \nNominate Someone Today \nNominations are now open\, and the deadline to submit your nominations has been extended to June 8\, 2026. Award recipients will be announced in August 2026 and celebrated at the 2026 National Wildlife Refuge Awards ceremony and celebration. \nPreviously submitted nominations may be updated and resubmitted. If you know someone who has been nominated before but not selected\, we encourage you to nominate them again. \nVisit our website to learn more about the award categories\, nomination criteria\, and inspiring stories of past winners >> \nAs we look forward to this year’s awards\, we invite you to help lift up the people and groups whose passion and care are protecting wild places\, nurturing wildlife\, and strengthening the communities that are deeply connected to our national wildlife refuges. Nominate someone deserving today! \nIf you have any questions not covered in our Nomination Guidelines\, please contact Debbie Harwood at dharwood@refugeassociation.org. \nThank you for all you do for national wildlife refuges\, \nThe National Wildlife Refuge Association
URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/2026-national-wildlife-refuge-awards/
CATEGORIES:Event
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260508
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260515
DTSTAMP:20260508T202639Z
CREATED:20260508T202639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T202639Z
UID:10000066-1778198400-1778803199@coalitionofrefugefriends.com
SUMMARY:Take Action
DESCRIPTION:Thank you! Because of your support\, 87 Friends groups and partner organizations signed on to the Refuge Association’s FY2027 House testimony calling for stronger funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System. \nTogether\, we urged Congress to provide $761 million for the Refuge System’s Operations and Maintenance account\, restoring funding to the FY2010 level adjusted for inflation. This funding is urgently needed to help refuges address severe staffing shortages\, care for wildlife and habitat\, maintain visitor services\, support public access\, and meet growing conservation needs. \nYou can read the submitted House testimony here >> \nWe are now preparing the Senate version of this testimony.\nIf your organization signed on to the House testimony\, you do not need to sign on again. We will automatically include your organization on the Senate version unless you ask us to remove it. \nPlease review the Senate version and signer list to confirm your organization is included and listed correctly >> \nSign-On to the Senate Testimony by Thursday\, May 14th at 5 pm ET \nPlease let us know by Thursday\, May 14th at 5 pm ET if your organization would prefer not to be included on the Senate version\, if your organization’s name or state needs to be updated\, or if your Friends group did not sign on to the House testimony but would like to be added. **This sign-on letter is for Friends groups and partner organizations\, not individuals\, please stay tuned next week for a advocacy alert for individual supporters.** \nIf your Friends group would also like to submit your own testimony\, you can find instructions from the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee here >> \nYour voice matters. When Refuge Friends speak together\, Congress hears directly from the local communities\, volunteers\, and partners who stand with national wildlife refuges every day. \nThank you for all you do for national wildlife refuges\, \nDesirée Sorenson-Groves\nPresident & CEO\nNational Wildlife Refuge Associatio
URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/take-action-2/
CATEGORIES:Event
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