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Connecting Power of Community with Passion for Nature

SAVE THE DATE

Annual Meeting May 13th at 6:30pm

We are so proud of all that we have accomplished this past year, despite COVID-19! Come hear about many of our accomplishments, the latest on the Steigerwald Reconnection Project, our continuing partnership with 5440 Brewing, and more at our upcoming Annual Meeting. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we were unable to hold our meeting last year, but this year we are adapting and holding our meeting via Zoom. Save the date for May 13th at 6:30 pm, and be on the lookout for a separate invite with the zoom information. We hope to see you then!

Aerial photo of the new Steigerwald Lake NWR parking lot. Provided by the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership

Steigerwald Lake Updates

While it may have felt as if as winter hit, that the Steigerwald Reconnection Project also was tucked into a deep slumber, staff have been hard at work both on the ground and in planning future work. Additionally, signs of work completed this last summer and fall are showing how the site is already embracing a new way of life. Plantings took root and the new curving creek bed of Gibbons Creek almost seems as if it is smiling back at us. (Just as we hope the aquatic species that call it home now are too).

For those catching a glimpse of the Refuge from the Columbia River Dike Trail, you may have noticed some Mylar flashing in the wind. To help encourage the great blue herons to nest outside the project area this year, flashing has been placed near their usual nesting area in the cottonwood stand. You can learn more on this topic from our Refuge Complex biologist on the 20/20 Blog.

Major construction work will resume in April, so the Columbia River Dike Trail will close at the old barns, west of the Refuge, once again to allow for heavy equipment to use the trail. We don't have an exact date because it is weather dependent, so watch the Steigerwald website and the Stewards social media for updates. Plan to attend the Stewards Annual Meeting on May 13th to learn more about the final stages of the project!

-Mesha Wood, Park Ranger USFWS

March's photo focus example is a Great Blue Heron with its garter snake snack, shot on the Ridgefield "River S" Auto Route. Photo Credit: Ken Pitts

Steigerwald Photo Group Meeting Sunday

Join us on the last Sunday of March, 3/28/2021 between 7-8:30pm, for our next virtual Steigerwald Photo Group Meeting. Each month there is a photo focus to challenge your creativity and learn new techniques. March's focus is on birds with prey or birds in significant habitat. Share your photos in the discussion section of our Steigerwald Photo Group Facebook Page, and/or have your photos ready to share on your computer during the meeting. We created a few hashtags to tag your photos with on the socials, #SteigerwaldPhotoGroup, #SteigerwaldPhotoFocus, and tag us @refugestewards on both Facebook and Instagram.
During the meeting everyone will get the chance to share two photos, one of the photo focus and a favorite photo you have taken at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge from anytime, or your favorite photo of the month. During this time you can get input from the group or just share how you took the photos.

When: March 28th 07:00 PM Pacific Time
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvcOyqqTsuGdysfjkjGcQ6v4UJ49SdeFMp
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

THE INSIDE SCOOP
Other Things to Watch in Conservation

Deb Haaland has been confirmed as the next Secretary of Interior! She has made history as the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. Secretary Haaland, and the Department of Interior, are responsible for management and conservation of most federal land including the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Wildlife Refuges. Read more about her on the Department of the Interior website here.

You can see two baby eagles on the eaglecam at the Fish and Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Wester Virginia! If you want to watch more live wildlife webcams head over to www.explore.org which has amazing live camera content. NCTC also offers great conservation trainings and webinars on their Facebook page and their website. We encourage you to explore these FWS resources!

Spring break youth art contest with the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is open to K-8th grade students—residing in the Ridgefield School District, Clark County and the Portland-Metro area. The contest is an activity aimed at Spring Break 2021, to encourage youth to get outside or visit the Refuge during the break. Application deadline is 4/11/21. Learn more at ridgefieldfriends.org/news/spring-break-youth-art-contest/

Don't forget! An easy way to support us is by using Amazon Smile and Fred Meyer Community Rewards programs when you shop - both are free to you to use!

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