The Link — Spring 2021 Newsletter
The Link is a quarterly newsletter produced in coordination between the National Wildlife Refuge Association and Coalition of Refuge Friends & Advocates.
The other day a fellow Friends member asked why we have both CORFA and NWRA. Well, the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates (CORFA) and the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) are partners who have different but complementary purposes.
CORFA began in 2013 as a Facebook group set up by a Friend to help Friends stay connected and share information during a Federal government shutdown. This grassroots effort evolved into a space for Friends to help Friends and ultimately the public lands and waters we support. This is an all-volunteer effort that has grown to almost 800 folks willing to ask for and give each other help.
CORFA’s purpose is to foster a network of nonprofit organizations supporting the National Wildlife Refuge System and the National Fish Hatchery System with the goals of:
- Promoting and creating ways for Friends to share their knowledge so their groups can be stronger organizations.
- Supporting collaborative efforts between Friends, US Fish and Wildlife Service, NWRA, and others.
- Expanding our ability to advocate for the needs of our organizations and public lands partners.
NWRA is the leading voice advocating on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System with the vision of inspiring nationwide support for the National Wildlife Refuge System, its wildlife, and habitats. Friends, you are the major portion of that nationwide support. Your willingness to stand up and share your knowledge and stories about your refuges or hatcheries is the best tool for motivating others to protect these places.
NWRA, CORFA, and Friends make a great team. CORFA’s focus is the Friends community, the groups that are instrumental in making the Service sites community assets. NWRA’s focus is advocating for the National Wildlife Refuge System and inspiring Friends to stand up for their refuge or hatchery.
Together we work to tap into the strengths of the Friends community so we can effectively protect our wildlife, lands, and waters. Our joint efforts, of which you all are a part, include this quarterly newsletter, The Link; webinars; an evolving Friends website; and speaking out for the needs of your organizations, refuges, and hatcheries. CORFA members volunteer their experiences and time. NWRA provides its expertise and financial support.
We ask each and every one of you to participate, promote, and give to this effort that connects, strengthens, and celebrates the community of Friends.
Regards,
Joan Patterson and the CORFA Team
Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates
coalitionrefugefriends@gmail.com
Caroline Brouwer
National Wildlife Refuge Association
cbrouwer@refugeassociation.org
From the Editor
We asked you to tell us how your Friends are connecting with your communities to promote your refuges and hatcheries despite COVID, and you responded! From a mobile classroom to an art walk booth, from a hiking ambassador to hosting the grand opening of a new trail, some Friends were able to connect safely in person—usually outdoors and socially distanced. Others explored the possibilities offered by digital tools—planning online or hybrid events and annual meetings, offering a unique gift to special donors, using technology to meet grant requirements. It will be interesting to see whether and how we continue to incorporate these novel approaches in the future.
Sue Hix, Editor
Please enjoy reading and learning from the stories offered by these Friends!
- Tualatin Friends art walk booth
- Friends of St. Marks special donor gift
- ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Society’s Wildlife on Wheels
- Patuxent Friends informal online communications
- Balcones Canyonlands Friends projects, including new trails
- Prime Hook Friends hiking ambassador
- Rachel Carson Friends Conservation Champions
- Missisquoi Friends virtual Bird Tales event
- Friends of Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys Zoom annual meeting
- Rappahannock Friends video introduction of a new fishing pier
- Friends of Alaska Refuges hybrid Shorebird Festival
- Willamette Friends 2-week online event
Credits
The Spring 2021 version of The Link has been a coordinated effort between the National Wildlife Refuge Association and Coalition of Refuge Friends & Advocates.
To receive the next issue of The Link, complete the form at the bottom of this page https://www.refugeassociation.org/friends. And please add refugeassociation.org to the safe list for your email account.
You’re invited to join the CORFA Facebook group, a place to connect with other amazing members of the Friends community to share information, insights, and experiences concerning nonprofit governance, management, and advocacy. Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/coalitionofrefugefriends/ and request to join this private group.
- Sue Hix (Editor) – Friends of Sherburne NWR
- Joan Patterson (Co-editor)—Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates
- Caroline Brouwer—NWRA VP of Government Affairs
- Eden Taylor (designer)— NWRA Communications Associate
- Friends Editorial Staff: Cheryl Hart—NWRA Board, Board member of Friends of Tualatin River NWR
- Kathy Woodward—Former NWRA Board Member, Board member of Friends of Great Swamp NWR
- Jim Stone– NWRA Board, Board member of Friends of the Wichitas
*Articles are hosted on the NWRA website, just follow any of the links above to access them all.