Presidents Perch

by Cheryl Hart

Friends President

Spring is always a busy time at the refuge, even without our beloved and much-missed Tualatin

Bird Festival.

Last week, the Friends Board honored our FWS partners with a lunch. If you have been around

the refuge in the past few weeks, you may have noticed that there are more than the usual number of Service Staff around. When all federal employees were ordered to report back to their offices, that posed a problem for Region 1 of FWS. Their office building in Portland has been undergoing asbestos removal and the offices were not available. So Regional office folks are finding new office-homes nearby, some of them at Tualatin River Headquarters. It is nice to see the offices full again, even though they are not filled with workers totally dedicated to

caring for our two refuges.

On a sadder note, we are hearing of long-time FWS staff who are taking advantage of the early retirements being offered and will be losing several key leaders in our region. So far as we know right now, the retirements have not involved any of our Tualatin River Staff. That is a relief since those who are leaving cannot be replaced, due to the hiring freeze and we are already operating at skeletal staffing levels, as is the refuge system as a whole. The following day, the refuge hosted a coffee with Oregon Legislator, Courtney Neron. About 20

folks from her district attended the coffee where she listened to concerns about a variety of

items including our concerns for the protection of our public lands.

How do you plan to celebrate Earth Day? We have two big Friends events coming up on Saturday, April 26. We hope you will join us in the Visitor Center and out on the plaza, for the annual Native Plant sale. The sale is open on Friday afternoon for Friends members only (Not a

member? You can join online at FriendsofTualatinRefuge.org) and then continues through the weekend. The warmer spring weather is causing lots of gardening fantasies so come out and find some new plants for your yard or garden.

On the same day we are hosting the Third Annual Youth Environmental Summit. This event is planned by a group of students from local high schools. It will involve several speakers and booths and activities provided by the various high school environmental clubs and some of our partner organizations. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. Take this opportunity to mingle with some amazing young people who care about the environment and our mission at the refuge.

We are all looking forward to May 1 and the opening of the seasonal trails. It’s always fun to go out and see what’s been happening there during the winter/spring closure. I hope to see you at the refuge soon and often!

Cheryl

Focus on Friends

by Bonnie Anderson

Executive Director

Join Us as We Celebrate Earth Day

Spring has sprung, and so has our annual opportunity to connect with nature and support the vital work of the Friends of the Refuge! We invite you to our Annual Native Plant Sale on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th. This year's sale promises a beautiful selection of native plants, perfect for enhancing your garden, attracting local wildlife, and contributing to a healthier ecosystem right here in our community.

As a special thank you to our dedicated supporters, we're hosting a Members-Only "Early Bird Sale" on Friday, April 25th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This is a fantastic chance to get first pick of our offerings! If you're not yet a member, we'd love for you to join us. You can easily sign up at the door or online.

Our Native Plant Sale is more than just a chance to beautify your yard. It's an investment in our local environment. By purchasing native plants, you're providing essential habitat and food sources for pollinators and other wildlife. We are proud to partner with the local native plant experts at Bosky Dell Natives, ensuring you receive high-quality, locally sourced plants. Furthermore, every purchase directly supports the Friends of the Refuge, providing crucial financial resources that allow us to continue our mission of supporting the refuge – a mission that is more important than ever in these uncertain times. Your support truly makes a difference.

Adding to the excitement, we are thrilled to host our Youth Environmental Summit on Saturday, April 26th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage young minds in environmental awareness and action. Area high school students and environmental partners will lead interactive sessions focused on practical ways to improve recycling habits and combat pollution. If you know any students who are passionate about the environment or curious to learn more, please encourage them to attend this fun and informative program.

Volunteers from Lam Research will be joining us on Wednesday, April 30th to spruce up our gardens and do some planting. We can't wait to showcase to our plant sale visitors the positive impact native plants can have, and the difference you can make in your own backyard!

We look forward to seeing you at the refuge for a weekend dedicated to nurturing our environment and building a stronger community!

See you on the Refuge!

Bonnie