In 1956 the Portland Women’s Forum purchased and then turned over to the State of Oregon, 3.7 acres of land, the former site of the Chanticleer Inn. Today it is the iconic site of the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, a place where we can all enjoy the sweeping vistas of the Mighty Columbia looking up towards Beacon Rock and beyond.
Nancy Russell (1932-2008) founded the Friends of the Columbia Gorge. Her conservation efforts and successes stemmed from a great love of the place. Nancy was an advocate for the land, pushing nature’s agenda forward, with lofty goals on her plate. I’m sure it was a great day for her, November 17th, 1986, when President Ronald Reagan signed the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, protecting 292,000 acres of land including Cape Horn.
Gay Leslie founded the Gorge Refuge Stewards in 2006. She convened a group of like-minded community members to volunteer their time as advocates for the Refuges, and thus the Refuge Stewards were born with this guiding vision to connect the regional community through partnership, public education, advocacy and habitat restoration. The Stewards believe in the power of nature to teach, inspire, transform, enrich our lives and feed our souls. And that we carry a great responsibility to protect, preserve, enhance and restore natural areas to keep them healthy and safe for future generations to experience.
Today we celebrate a diverse group of women, who through their work and volunteerism are expanding the reach of our refuge system, building on what Gay Leslie envisioned. The pool of local women conservationists runs deep. Bringing creativity, skills and commitment to the table, they all have two things in common, a deep abiding respect for and love of the land, and a passion for building relationships so more people are able to experience the joy and health benefits of what Mother Nature has to offer. Here is a stellar sampling of our current Refuge system talent, part of an ever-broadening community of like-minded, nature and people-loving women who are doing outstanding work.
Mesha Wood
Park Ranger, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex
(Ridgefield, Steigerwald Lake, Franz Lake, Pierce)
Mesha supporting salmon spawning season at local Hatchery
Mesha Wood is the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex Park Ranger. She loves what she does and comes at it from an interesting background. With degrees in art and graphic design, she brings creativity and unique sensibilities to the job. Being a Park Ranger is not just about walking the trails.
“Because the National Wildlife Refuge System is just that, a system of refuges spanning the nation, I have had lots of amazing opportunities to work with colleagues all over.” This includes participating in salmon spawning for our National Fish Hatcheries in the Gorge (as seen in the photo above), teaching at the National Conservation Training Center for USFWS in West Virginia, and having joined a 3-week detail to Oahu, Hawaii, a sharing, learning and relationship-building experience. “I love that through this system of Refuges I have the opportunity to travel and provide resources to other sites as well. It makes the impact of our work so much bigger, and thus so much more important.”
Mesha has this to say about what makes her job wonderful: “My job is indeed full of WONDER. I have had the chance to help translocate deer, count Sandhill Cranes, in addition to teaching youth how to identify macroinvertebrates, how to search for signs of animals, and about the life cycle of many different species. To see this wonder and excitement from a visitor’s perspective, is always special to me and unique to the work I get to do.”
Her goals are clear, “To increase awareness of Refuges, grow partnerships and support that reaches deep into the community.”
Because a good bit of her time requires administrative duties, Mesha savors the days that include walking the Refuge trails. These walks feed her soul and inspire her. Lucky are the folks who encounter her along the way, as she is always eager to share her love and enthusiasm for nature and wildlife.
Josie Finley
Visitor Services Manager, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Josie at Steigerwald Lake NWR
Josie Finley was raised by a single mother who taught her to find solace and joy in the Gorge landscape. One summer break from school they lived in Beacon Rock State Park, where they functioned as Camp Hosts. “My mother’s family has been living in and loving this area for many generations, so I feel like the landscapes of the Gorge are written in my genes. The wildlife communities that thrive here make me feel like I am visiting a flourishing community and getting the chance to view someone else’s vibrant life.”
Josie earned a BA in Environmental Studies and an MA in Zoology, focused on Community-based Conservation and Inquiry-based Education. “I never knew exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew it had to include connecting people with nature. I went through some really tough times as a kid and being outdoors always calmed me and helped me feel confident about my ability to get through it and have a positive future. This grounding feeling always amazed me and I wanted to help other people feel that too. Especially kids.
What characteristics account for her love of connecting kids with the natural world? “My personality is well suited to this because I’m curious, silly, and love to talk and share stories.”
When asked about her goals and what keeps her inspired, Josie replied, “To show up for community, do a LOT of listening, and learn as much as I can about how others connect to the natural world. And do it IN PERSON! What inspires me? Well, almost everything. When I hear, ‘I’ve never been asked that before’ or ‘I’ve never seen it done like that’ I know we are onto something.”
If you know someone 15-18 years of age who is looking for a summer job, perhaps the Youth Conservation Crew would be a good fit. This is Josie’s domain. Projects include restoring Refuge habitat for native plants and animals, and improving public access trails. Outdoor work in a beautiful environment, led by thoughtful mentors. Send an email to the Gorge Refuge Stewards for more information.
Juliette Fernandez
Project Leader, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Juliette at Ridgefield NWR
Juliette Fernandez describes herself as “A Latina from a tight-knit Hispanic family near the border”. Encouraged to explore, supported by relatives and teachers, she appreciated the outdoors for the part it played in her life. “It was about food from the garden, hummingbirds at feeders, flowers and sitting in the shade enjoying each other’s company.”
Many people don’t know wildlife refuges exist. Juliette is working to change that. She is a people person, encouraging “meaningful interactions such as sit down, have a meal and be human together.” At the top of her agenda is developing strategies for getting communities, especially underserved populations, out into nature.
Juliette’s first intensive interactions with wildlife occurred when she began volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center, healing owls, bottle-feeding bobcats and exercising hawks. As the current Project Leader for the Refuge Complex, Juliette gets to combine her love of nature with a penchant for community-building. She wholeheartedly embraces mentorship and the responsibilities of expanding community engagement, participation and enjoyment. Throughout the year, there are many reasons to visit the Refuges. The annual Ridgefield Birdfest and Bluegrass Festival is a big one. There are educational and experiential opportunities at the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, opportunities to join volunteer habitat restoration groups, Refuge photo contests and educational field trips. Covid has interfered with the scheduling of many in-person activities, but hopefully, they can resume again soon.
Who are Juliette’s conservation heroes? “They are everywhere. Might just start with someone who sits with you and tells you family stories as butterflies welcome you home.”
Brette Greenwood-Wing
Volunteer Board of Director, Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, member of Community Connections Committee for the Gorge Refuge Stewards.
Brette on the Gibbons Creek bridge at Steigerwald
Brette Greenwood-Wing has been serving on the Gorge Refuge Stewards Board of Directors since 2010 and has had her hand in many successful ventures and projects, as the Refuge System grows and becomes more supported. Quote from a colleague, “Brette’s positive attitude is infectious…always willing to go above and beyond.”
No matter how daunting the task of securing attention and resources for the Refuge System on the Washington side of the Gorge, Brette tackles each challenge with determination. Hiring their first employee, Jared Strawderman/Stewardship and Community Engagement Coordinator, was huge. “Jared is a tremendous asset to the organization”, she says with a great big smile.
Brette was raised in Northern California. “I don’t remember a time when I was not connected to nature. My Dad taught me to appreciate the little things (slugs, spiders, etc.) and to look in every direction for beauty.”
Here in the Pacific Northwest, Brette is deeply attached to the Gorge landscape, with all of its drama and its subtlety. As a long-time Board Member she has been dogged in her efforts to keep the Gorge Refuge Stewards moving forward. It’s about building relationships with local communities, understanding barriers to inclusivity and figuring out how to break them down.
What’s the current objective? Brette is most excited about “the DEI work we are doing, and truly living up to the Urban Refuge Initiative and the Standards of Excellence, and making the Refuge and our organization welcoming to all.”
At this time the Board of Directors is hoping to attract new members and there are also opportunities to join committees. One of the benefits of volunteerism, is in the area of personal growth. In this instance, striving to protect, enhance and honor a place that one loves, becomes therapeutic. Healing. Building friendships, partnerships, sharing knowledge and experiences in nature, yes, is good for the soul.
Reach out to the Gorge Refuge Stewards to learn more.
Brette believes “Every piece of land that can be conserved is important, every opportunity to protect habitat and allow people to connect and fall in love, invaluable.” She definitely has that ‘going above and beyond’ attitude.
So many women to celebrate in the Refuge System, past and present!
