Friends' Resource Center
These materials are intended for general reference only with the understanding that the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service.
2025 Chat with the Chief: Refuge System Fuding, Workforce, Budget, & Priorities
Webinar Description
Friends heard from Cynthia Martinez, Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, on:
• Funding & Workforce Changes
• FY 2025 Budget & Priorities
• How Friends Can Help Tell The National Wildlife Refuge System Story
Webinar Materials:
Presenter:
Cynthia MartinezChief of the National Wildlife Refuge System. A fifth-generation New Mexican, Cynthia Martinez is the first woman and Hispanic to lead the Refuge System. She began her career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1993 and became Chief of the Refuge System in 2015. She came to Refuge System headquarters in September 2010 as chief of the Division of Visitor Services and Communications, where she led the process for developing the Refuge System’s 2011 Conserving the Future vision conference and subsequent documents – the renewed vision for growth and management of the Refuge System. Martinez was deputy chief of the Refuge System from 2012 to 2015. Before coming to Refuge System headquarters, Martinez was the manager at Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has a bachelor of science degree in general biology from New Mexico State University and a master of science degree in fisheries and wildlife science from University of Arizona.
I liked the presentation, but I would like to see the numbers of refuges in Category 2, 3 and 4.