BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates - ECPv6.17.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251104T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251105T180000 DTSTAMP:20251101T014912Z CREATED:20251001T161440Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251101T014912Z UID:10000041-1762264800-1762365600@coalitionofrefugefriends.com SUMMARY:The 2025 Virtual Friends Conference DESCRIPTION:Level up your skills and network with refuge and hatchery Friends from across the country. \nFriends Groups fortify our National Wildlife Refuge and Hatchery Systems. Together\, we amplify impact\, generate support\, and build stronger and healthier communities. This two-day virtual conference is designed for Friends leaders\, board members\, staff\, and volunteers who want to build capacity\, share best practices\, and connect with peers from across the country. \nLearn more here. \nTime Track 1 Track 2 2:00 pmOpening Session \n\n \n Joan Patterson \n \n \n Director at Large\, Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates \n \n \n \n\n \n Mark Musaus \n \n \n Vice President\, Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates \n \n \n 2:10 pmKickoff Keynote \n\n \n Desirée Sorenson-Groves \n \n \n President & CEO\, National Wildlife Refuge Association \n \n \n 2:30 pmSessions 1\, 2\, 3 & 4 Overview \n\n \n Joan Patterson \n \n \n Director at Large\, Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates \n \n \n 2:45 pmSession 1: Fundraising\, Membership and Donor Engagement \n\n \n Janelle Wicks \n \n \n Executive Director\, Friends of Malheur NWR \n \n \n \n\n \n Mary Beth Volmer \n \n \n President\, Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands \n \n \n \n\n \n Thomas Daubert \n \n \n Executive Director\, Friends of Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex \n \n \n Session 2: Nature Stores \n\n \n Tom Worthington \n \n \n Director at Large\, Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates \n \n \n \n\n \n Jill Bachman \n \n \n Nature Store\, Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge \n \n \n \n\n \n Carolyn Ferrell \n \n \n Executive Director\, Booth Society\, Inc. \n \n \n \n\n \n Melissa Worthington \n \n \n Volunteer Manager\, Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends \n \n \n 4:00 pmSession 3: Community Involvement \n\n \n Angie Horn \n \n \n Urban Wildlife Program Director\, National Wildlife Refuge Association \n \n \n \n\n \n Ken Kupchak \n \n \n President\, Friends of Oahu NWRs & CORFA Board \n \n \n \n\n \n Suzanne Trapp \n \n \n Community Outreach Manager at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Retired \n \n \n Session 4: Volunteers: The Critical Role of both Friends Volunteers and FWS Volunteers \n\n \n Sue Hix \n \n \n Board Member\, Friends of Sherburne NWR \n \n \n \n\n \n Robin Will \n \n \n Board member\, Friends of St. Marks NWR \n \n \n 5:10 pmBreakout Rooms and Free Discussion5:55 pmClose Out: Recap of Day 1 \n\n \n Ken Kupchak \n \n \n President\, Friends of Oahu NWRs & CORFA Board \n \n \n 2:00 pmWelcome and Orientation to Day 2 \n\n \n Janelle Wicks \n \n \n Executive Director\, Friends of Malheur NWR \n \n \n \n\n \n Tom Worthington \n \n \n Director at Large\, Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates \n \n \n 2:10 pmSpark Talk \n\n \n Wendi Weber \n \n \n Regional Director of the Northeast Region - Retired \n \n \n 2:30 pmSessions 5\,6\,7 & 8 Overview \n\n \n Janelle Wicks \n \n \n Executive Director\, Friends of Malheur NWR \n \n \n 2:45 pmSessions 5\, 6\, and 7 \n\n \n Cathy Allen \n \n \n Nonprofit Governance Consultant\, Board Doctor \n \n \n \n\n \n Carol Mertesdorf \n \n \n President\, Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge \n \n \n \n\n \n Janelle Wicks \n \n \n Executive Director\, Friends of Malheur NWR \n \n \n \n\n \n Willem Stoeller \n \n \n Director at Large\, Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates \n \n \n \n\n \n Samantha Zeiner \n \n \n Director of Operations\, Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge \n \n \n \n\n \n Richard Dolesh \n \n \n Board Member\, Friends of Patuxent \n \n \n \n\n \n Greg Knadle \n \n \n former VP of Government Affairs NFWF \n \n \n 4:00 pmSession 8: Current Issues and Topics affecting Refuges and Hatcheries \n\n \n Tony Wasley \n \n \n President of WMI \n \n \n \n\n \n Scott Kahan \n \n \n Retired as Regional Chief in the Northeast Region \n \n \n \n\n \n Paul Johansen \n \n \n Chief of the Wildlife Resources\, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources \n \n \n \n\n \n Dale Hall \n \n \n Former DEO of Ducks Unlimited\, Inc. \n \n \n 5:15 pmKeynote Address \n\n \n Desirée Sorenson-Groves \n \n \n President & CEO\, National Wildlife Refuge Association \n \n \n 5:45 pmClose Out: Recap of Day 2 \n\n \n Cheryl Hart \n \n \n President\, Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates \n \n \n \n  \nUse the box below to purchase your tickets. After your purchase\, you will receive more information about how to join the event. URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/the-2025-virtual-friends-conference/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/birders-scaled-1.jpeg ORGANIZER;CN="Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates (CORFA)":MAILTO:coalitionrefugefriends@gmail.com LOCATION:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87273129766 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T203000 DTSTAMP:20251013T154111Z CREATED:20251013T154111Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T154111Z UID:10000044-1762457400-1762461000@coalitionofrefugefriends.com SUMMARY:A History of the American Conservation Movement and the Refuge System DESCRIPTION:Join Alex Harper for a captivating journey through the history of conservation in the United States—from the 1800s to today. This presentation traces the key moments that shaped the formation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System\, culminating in the establishment of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. \nAttendees will gain a deeper understanding of how conservation policies evolved\, how decisions are made to preserve the ecological integrity of refuges\, and why these places matter now more than ever. \nWe all love Bosque del Apache\, but it can sometimes be difficult to know how to make a difference. Through a mix of historical context and stunning wildlife photography taken at the refuge by Alex throughout the years\, this talk will connect past and present conservation efforts. \nAlex will also discuss the risks posed by potential rollbacks of environmental protections—including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act—and what such changes could mean for the refuge’s future. \nThe presentation will conclude with Friends Board President Jonathan Manley highlighting what’s happening on the ground at Bosque del Apache and how Friends is continuing to protect the refuge’s diverse flora and fauna. \nQuarterly OASIS Zoom calls are now open to the public\, so please invite your friends and family to come learn about our beautiful refuge and theOASIS\, a sustaining community of hope! This is the perfect time to join as a monthly donor by giving a monthly gift in any amount that feels right for you – you’re in control of when to start\, stop and make changes to your level of monthly giving! \nRegister Now URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/a-history-of-the-american-conservation-movement-and-the-refuge-system/ CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-13-114007.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T151500 DTSTAMP:20251114T112803Z CREATED:20250729T133228Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251114T112803Z UID:10000034-1763560800-1763565300@coalitionofrefugefriends.com SUMMARY:Leading with Purpose – Building Stronger\, More Connected Wildlife Friends Groups DESCRIPTION:This three-part webinar series is designed to equip leaders and members of Wildlife Friends Groups with the insight and tools to strengthen their communities\, deepen collaboration\, and lead with clarity in complex times. Together\, we’ll explore how to create cultures of belonging without weaponizing identity\, ensuring that all feel seen and valued without reinforcing division. We’ll examine strategies for navigating change with integrity\, so your group can remain mission-focused while adapting to evolving challenges. Finally\, we’ll dive into the principles of transformational leadership\, helping you inspire action\, cultivate trust\, and guide your group toward lasting impact. This series offers practical frameworks\, space for reflection\, and a chance to align around shared values while honoring difference. \nJoin Zoom Meeting \nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/84310909165?pwd=tTeEFiL92WRPxgIrENS6DIed1H4zWZ.1\nMeeting ID: 843 1090 9165\nPasscode: 647750 Join instructions\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/84310909165/invitations?signature=w4WBMtkScuebAx4n7djpjm9CAlZbSxdJi6G3xWRujWQ URL:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/event/leading-with-purpose-building-stronger-more-connected-wildlife-friends-groups-3/ CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://coalitionofrefugefriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-25-131240.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR