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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T180000
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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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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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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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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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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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