Environmental Education

Funding Postions

Local schools rely on the Refuge as a place to bring students to bring science to life. Friends help fund two AmeriCorps service positions who coordinate environmental education programs and a full-time Contract Education Specialist who collaborates with partner organizations and support the AmeriCorps members at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Reducing Barriers

Through our Rides-to-the-Refuge grant, local schools teachers can apply for grant funding to take care of bus transportation costs. Transportation costs are a large barrier for many schools in being able to access outdoor education opportunities and this grant program works to provide equitable access to local public lands.

Making Science Real

Funding from Friends supports citizen-science based field experiences for students visiting Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge through the Eye On Nature partnership. These experiences are culminating visits to build off of year-long outdoor education opportunities hosted by local government and non-profit partners. 

Outreach and Interpretation

Guided Walks

Free guided walks are offered at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge throughout the seasons. These walks are a great way for first-time visitors to get to know the Refuge or for long-time lovers of the Refuge to deepen their understanding of the habitats, wildlife, and history found there. Guided walks are supported by Friends through advertisement in the quarterly Flyway Newsletter and financial support as requested. Interested in seeing upcoming programs? Check the Refuge Website for schedule.

Summer Lecture Series

For over 20 years Friends have hosted the Annual Summer Lecture Series at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. These free weekly lectures are held throughout the summer and are sure to enrich your understanding of the natural world. Interested in seeing upcoming Summer Lectures? Check the Refuge Website for schedule.

Special Events

Want to crawl inside of a 40 foot salmon and have story-tellers light up your imagination with tales of local wildlife? Or maybe you’d rather take a field trip with experienced guides to locate rare shorebirds during spring migration? Friends are here to help! We fund special events like the Annual Nisqually Watershed Festival and Annual Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival where you can do these things and much much more!

Nature Shop

Educating the Public

Stop by the Nature Shop in the Norm Dicks Visitor Center at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to find a constantly tailored selection of local authors, field guides, natural and cultural history books, gifts, and more. Items carried in the Nature Shop promote awareness and stewardship of Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge and the greater Puget Sound area.

Raising Funds

Proceeds from the Nature Shop provide an important source of funding for Friends. We use these funds to accomplish our mission of supporting Refuge programs.