Friends of Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a volunteer-run 501c(3) non-profit organization which helps fund education, interpretation, and outreach programs at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Since 1999 we have been dedicated to promoting public awareness and appreciation of the natural and cultural history of the Puget Sound area, the Nisqually River Watershed, and Nisqually Estuary.

Our primary source of revenue is the Nature Shop, located in the Norm Dicks Visitor Center at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. All Nature Shop proceeds are used for supporting Refuge programs.

We also raise money through membership dues, donations, and grants. Please Consider donating Today!

Our Board of Directors

Justin Hall, President

Justin has spent over 20 years working and living in the Nisqually Watershed. He  has been the executive director of the Nisqually River Foundation since its inception in 2004. The NRF provides staffing and project management for the Nisqually River Council, of which Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a member. Prior to coming to work for the NRF, Justin worked as a natural resources extension agent for Michigan State University (MSU) and as a forester for the University of Washington Pack Experimental Forest. 

Kim Adelson, Vice President

In order to pursue her interest in behavioral evolution, Kim earned a B.A. and an M.A. in evolutionary biology from the University of Pennsylvania; she changed departments and received an M.A. and an Ph.D. in psychology from the same institution. After teaching at several universities, including the University of Minnesota, Ohio Wesleyan University, and the University of Canterbury (in New Zealand), Kim fulfilled her life-long desire to move to the Pacific Northwest. One of the main reasons she now lives in Lacey was so that she could be close to the BFJ Nisqually NWR. She has volunteered in the visitor center, led nature walks in the Refuge, and been a lecturer in the Refuge’s summer lecture series. Kim also serves on the Board of the local chapter of the Audubon Society, Black Hills Audubon, for whom she frequently gives presentations to both adults and children about birds, their role in the ecosystem, and their vulnerability to climate change.

Lynn Corliss

Lynn Corliss received her B.A. in Biology from Earlham College and her M.Ed. in Science Education from the University of Georgia. Her professional interests include working with several species of sea turtles and promoting community collaboration for conservation of the species. As a result of her community work with the endangered Hawksbill sea turtle in Antigua, West Indies, Lynn received an international award from the World Conservation Union (IUCN). She has served on the board of directors for several non-profits and was instrumental in establishing three new science education projects on the east coast. Lynn has served on the Board for the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators. She leads nature walks and volunteers with Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Black Hills Audubon Society, and the Thurston County and City of Olympia Stream Team programs. In 2011 she participated in a Workshop by the National Association for Interpretation where she led a walk for visitors from Russia and across the United States. She has taught science courses at South Puget Sound Community College, Centralia College, Heritage Institute as well as several colleges in the southeast.

Sheila Harper

Born and raised in Washington, the “Evergreen State”, Sheila wants to help others appreciate the natural world that surrounds us.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Washington, and enjoyed a career of hospital nursing.  She was a docent at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, then joined the volunteers at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex some twenty years ago; she has also volunteered at the Nisqually Reach Nature Center and with Stream Team events. Sheila enjoys interacting with visitors while trail roving at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, likes sharing her scope with new birders at the Gray’s Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival, and will continue working at the Norm Dicks Visitor Center.

Susie Hayes

Susie was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in wildlife science. She worked in the field for a few years, raised her small children, and began a career in education, teaching 5th and 6th grade. Creating experiences for kids to learn about and connect with the natural world has always been a priority and a pleasure for her. So it’s natural for the circle to close in retirement by volunteering at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife National Refuge in the environmental education program guiding trail walks and leading classroom activities. Our kids are the future stewards of our Earth and their education and appreciation of the natural world enthusiastically brings Susie to the Refuge.

Sheila McCartan

Sheila has a passion for sharing her love of nature with others. After getting a degree in environmental education, she spent her career working in visitor services on National Wildlife Refuges on the West coast. After 20 years as the Visitor Services Manager at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex, she retired from the Fish and Wildlife Service. Her connection to the Friends goes back to the beginning as she worked to help establish the organization in 1998. As a retired FWS employee and now a Refuge volunteer,  Sheila is committed to supporting both the Friends and the Refuges they serve.

Mike McMinn

Mike Retired from a career with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service where he spent 27 years as a Refuge Manager and Refuge Officer. He worked on refuges in NC, VA, WA, FL, and retired as Regional Chief of Refuge Law Enforcement for the South East. He was the Deputy Refuge Manager at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge for 10 years while Nisqually managed all the refuges around Puget Sound. He has been a volunteer at the Refuge since Retiring in 2003. Mike also served 6 years in the Navy as a nuclear submarine electrical engineer. He enjoys birding and traveling the world or camping in his RV.