May Means More Trail to Explore!!

The Gibbons Creek Art Trail Seasonal spur is open. We have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the full trail, including a number of guided walks and habitat events. Just remember, if you park at the trail-head, check the gate closure times on our website and plan your walk accordingly - we don't want you getting stuck behind the gate and waiting for the Washougal Police to open it for you!

Thanks for making our Annual Meeting and Restoration Ale release a success!

A big thank you to 54°40' Brewing Company in Washougal and everyone who attended our Annual meeting last month! It was one of our largest groups over the past several years - there is a lot of excitement about the Steigerwald Lake Refuge Habitat Restoration and Flood Control Project and we love being able to share the updates with our community, especially over a beer brewed just for us and helps support the Refuge Stewards with $1 from each pint poured!

Miss this annual meeting? You can view the PowerPoint presentation here. And you can taste Restoration Ale at 54°40' Brewing Company or at an upcoming tasting event - we will be out with 54°40' at New Seasons on 164th in Vancouver on Saturday, May 18th from 12 - 3 pm.

And for all the latest updates on the projects going on at Steigerwald and Ridgefield, be sure to check out our Projects page on our website as well as Refuge 2020!

Youth Photo Contest Extended!

The deadline to submit photos for our annual contest has been extended to May 19th! That means budding photographers age 10- 18 have until this Sunday to get out on the refuge, get some great shots, and submit them to our contest sponsor ProPhoto Supply! Judges will give extra consideration to a diversity of flora, fauna and scenic content, so think creatively when taking photos! Need some inspiration? Check out photo albums of our past winners here.

Photo by Sadie Siegel-Wilson, Honorable Mention 2018 Photo Contest

Become an Ambassador to the Refuges!

Do you enjoy talking to people and sharing the wonders of Steigerwald Lake NWR? Do you have a few hours a week to dedicate to helping visitors make the most of their walk along the trail? Join our passionate team of volunteer Trail Stewards.

We are also looking for people who enjoy tabling at events out in the community as well as at the trailhead at Steigerwald. We give you all the tools and visual aids, you bring your enthusiasm and desire to introduce new people to the Refuge!

There will be a training on Sunday June 2nd to meet current volunteers and to learn all the information required to successfully engage visitors.

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Jared, for more information or to sign up- volunteer@refugestewards.org or 360-835-8767

Photo courtesy of Brette Greenwood-Wing

Upcoming Events

5/18/19 9 am-12 pm 3rd Saturday Work Party at Steigerwald Lake NWR - We will be installing protective tubing around trees and shrubs that were planted by local students with the guidance of the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership this spring. Meet at the parking lot at 9 am dressed for the weather.
5/18/19 10 am-4 pm Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Birdfest - Join our sister organization, Friends of the Refuge, as they host their 23rd annual bird festival at the Tualatin River Refuge. We will be there tabling with the Friends of Ridgefield NWR, so stop by and say "hi" while you are enjoying the many activities offered throughout the day. Check out their website at the link above for the list of events.
5/18/19 12 pm-3 pm Restoration Ale beer tasting at New Season - Fisher's Landing Vancouver
5/25/19 8:30 am-1 pm Eagle Scout Project to renovate nursery. All are welcome to help lay weed mat, spread gravel, and build raised beds to support a local future Eagle Scout and our native plant nursery.
5/25/19 8 am-11 am Bird Walk with Ken. Every 2 weeks, join volunteer Ken Pitts to learn about the birds that inhabit Steigerwald Lake NWR. Sign up here.
5/29/19 9 am-12 pm Monday Crew and Memorial Day Habitat Volunteering. All are invited to join our holiday habitat event!
6/2/19 1 pm-5 pm Trail Steward and Outreach Training
After a successful release event last month, our Nature Backpacks are now available for you to check out from the Camas Public Library! There are 10 different themed backpacks with tools and activities that support that theme. Packs include topics like: birds, flowers, hiking, insects, night, outdoors, rocks, and trees. Each pack also has an activity guide with 21 ideas on how to enjoy the Nature Pack to help facilitate nature exploration.

To stay up to date with all of our projects and events, visit our website www.refugestewards.org