Volunteers Matter- A Message from Chelsea McKinney at our recent Volunteer Appreciation Event
It’s an honor to be here at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge to celebrate something extraordinary, the dedication of your volunteer community.
Across Region 1, which includes 66 refuges, volunteers contributed nearly 99,000 hours of service this year. That’s the equivalent of 47 full-time employees working all year long. And right here at Tualatin River, you didn’t just contribute. You led the way! With 201 volunteers giving over 6,000 hours, you provided the equivalent of three full-time staff members. That’s 6% of all volunteer hours in the region, from just one refuge! Truly remarkable.
But these numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every hour is a person who chose to give their time to make trails accessible, restore habitats, welcome visitors, and protect wildlife. That’s not just service; that’s commitment. Volunteers don’t just support the mission. They are the mission in action.
As the Regional Youth and Partners Coordinator, I see the big picture every day. And I can tell you this-- what happens here matters far beyond these boundaries. Your work strengthens the entire National Wildlife Refuge System. Every hour you give strengthens the refuge, the region, and the future of conservation. You are ambassadors for conservation, and your impact ripples across communities and generations.
On behalf of Region 1 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, thank you. Thank you for your time, your energy, and your passion. You make Tualatin River NWR not just a refuge for wildlife, but a refuge for people who care deeply about nature. Together, we make conservation possible…one hour, one act of service, one volunteer at a time.
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