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Making Tracks
The Newsletter of the Friends of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Joyfully Connecting our Community with the Wonder of the Refuge
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Photo credit: Phyllis Millan | |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
January Board of Directors Meeting
January 28, 2025 2:00 PM
Riparian Room, Tualatin River NWR
Night Creatures - Conservation Speaker Series
February 19, 2025 6:00 PM
Riparian Room, Tualatin River NWR
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Presidents Perch
by Cheryl Hart
Friends President
Cheryl is enjoying a well deserved vacation. Look for her Presidents Perch in the February issue.
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Focus on Friends
by Bonnie Anderson
Executive Director
Happy New Year to everyone!
2025 has already begun with significant challenges. The devastating wildfires in California have caused immense suffering, impacting lives, livelihoods, and the natural world. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our Friends' President, Cheryl Hart, for her generous end-of-year donation and matching funds challenge. Many of you joined in, and we are finalizing the total matching contributions.
This year, Friends of TRNWR will be making significant fundraising appeals. Funding for the Refuge's operations is at an all-time low. We are grateful for the recent allocation of $500 million to the National Wildlife Refuge System to address the impacts of recent hurricanes. While this funding may be directed towards other regions, it is crucial for national-level support to address these critical needs. This approach helps prevent further reductions in local budgets, which are already stretched thin. You can learn more about this important funding in the accompanying article titled "$500 Million for the National Wildlife Refuge System."
A special THANK YOU to U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley for his unwavering support of our public lands and his instrumental role in securing this vital funding for our National Wildlife Refuges.
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Every year the Senator chooses a local organization to uplift at each of his county-based town halls, and this year we’re pleased to share that in Washington County it’s Friends of TRNWR! | The Friends of TRNWR will receive a special honor on Sunday, January 26th, at 12:30 PM. Senator Merkley will be hosting his Washington County Town Hall at Hazelbrook Middle School. I invite all of you to join us as we celebrate the vital role of Friends in supporting the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. | |
See you on the Refuge!
Bonnie
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Friends Awarded $100K TREE Grant | |
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Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District’s TREE Grant (Tualatin River Environmental Enhancement Grant) supports projects that promote natural resource conservation by addressing water quality, water quantity, soil health, fish and wildlife habitat, invasive species management, and/or forest health.
Enhancing Habitat Quality and Engaging Community Partners ($99,990) This 57-acre habitat enhancement project at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge will create connectivity, promote native plant regeneration, and build resilience to invasive species and climate stressors. The project will strengthen existing community partnerships through volunteer stewardship events, community science endeavors, workforce development and environmental education opportunities in collaboration with Connecting Canopies.
Read the full announcement from Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation
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Any Time Of Year is A Good Time to Donate | |
Qualified Charitable Giving
As the year draws to a close, many individuals reflect on their financial goals
and charitable intentions. For those aged 70½ or older, one powerful option for making a charitable impact while also managing taxable income is through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs).
What is a QCD?
A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from an individual retirement account (IRA) to a qualified charity such as Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. It allows individuals to donate up to $105,000 per year directly from their IRAs without incurring federal income tax on the distribution. For individuals that need to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) a QCD can offers a significant opportunity to maximize philanthropic efforts while minimizing tax liability.
- It’s essential to note that QCDs can only be made from traditional IRAs and some inherited IRAs, but not from other retirement accounts such as 401(k)s or Roth IRAs.
- Documentation is key. Retain records to substantiate that the transaction
was a QCD for tax purposes.
As you evaluate your philanthropic goals, consider the power of a QCD to
amplify your impact and help shape a better future for the causes you
cherish such as OUR Public Lands. The USFWS Regional shortfall of 1.4-million dollars is drastically effecting Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex this fiscal year, a QCD could be a win/win.
If you have any questions on the above strategy contact Rebecca Semper at Blue Water Wealth: Rebecca.semper@bluewaterwealth.com or the financial advisor, you are working with.
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Blue Water Wealth is proud to be a Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge sponsor.
Blue Water Wealth is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Registration does not imply that a certain level or skill or training has been obtained by our firm or our associated persons. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Blue Water Wealth and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Blue Water Wealth unless a client service agreement is in place.
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Bowl Night = $2,088.60 Donation from Langer's Entertainment!
Thank you to everyone that came out to support the Friends!
Langer's donated over $2,000 to the Friends from the Make A Differences Bowling Night at the end of November. Watch for our next Bowling Fundraiser for 2025- It's not to be missed.
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Friends Receive Donation from A & R Solar
A Special Thank You to Board Member Alan Christensen who nominated the Friends of TRNWRC for their End of Year Giving.
Read More About it
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$500 Million for National Wildlife Refuge System | |
A Letter from
Desirée Sorenson-Groves
President & CEO
National Wildlife Refuge Association
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Dear Refuge Supporters,
In case you missed it, we’ve got great news to share!
A few weeks ago, Congress finalized and President Biden signed into law $500 million in emergency supplemental funding for disaster relief in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This critical funding will repair damage from hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters—damage that would have otherwise forced refuges to choose between using already stretched operations and maintenance budgets or leaving repairs undone.
This win started with the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s leadership. We initiated the request for funding and coordinated the advocacy effort, which brought together more than 80 Refuge Friends groups who signed onto a letter urging Congress to act. With support from Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates and Defenders of Wildlife, your voices ensured that national wildlife refuges were prioritized. Thank you for your incredible advocacy!
What This Means for Refuges
While the funding doesn’t fully meet the needs we identified, it’s still a major step forward. Here’s why:
- It provides funds targeting critical repairs—like restoring habitats and fixing roads, levees, and visitor facilities—without cutting into daily refuge operational budgets.
- Refuges can continue serving wildlife and communities, providing places to connect with nature, enjoy outdoor recreation, and support biodiversity.
We know the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will stretch every dollar to maximize this funding’s impact. As we like to say, “Give a refuge manager some bailing wire and duct tape, and they’ll get the job done!”
This funding is a huge step, but there’s still more to do. With your help, the National Wildlife Refuge Association will keep pushing for nature-based solutions and long-term resiliency investments to prepare refuges and their communities for future challenges.
And of course, we’ll continue advocating for the increased appropriations and staffing that refuges urgently need in Fiscal Year 2026 to thrive and meet growing demands.
Thank you for standing with us and helping make this happen!
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge Association is to conserve America’s wildlife heritage for present and future generations through strategic programs that protect, promote, and enhance the National Wildlife Refuge System and the landscapes beyond its boundaries. This mission is our north star and guides our work every day.
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The Friends Amazon Wishlist
Looking for a fast and easy way to help the Friends? Our new Amazon Wishlist will take you right to a list of much-needed items for the Friends office, special events, public programs, and volunteer work parties. Check back often, as we will update our list on a regular basis. All items are shipped directly to the Friends office at the Refuge. Thank you for your support!
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The 2025 Wildlife & Water Friendly Gardens Speaker Series registration is here!
The Environmental Learning Center presents a FREE Workshop Series for anyone interested in home gardening for wildlife and water quality. Learn how to garden with less water, manage too much stormwater, and generally provide a healthier habitat for birds, pollinating insects, and more. This year we have chosen the overarching theme of Climate Resilience with presentations on the observed impacts of climate change on wildlife, but focusing on actionable steps that we can take to mitigate these effects while protecting watershed health.
The series offers the following zoom sessions:
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- January 23 - Trees for Climate Resilience and Watershed Health
- January 30 - The Impact of Land Use Changes and Climate on Bird Species
- February 6 - Habitat Gardening for Pollinators in a Changing World
- February 13 - Soil: The Magic Ingredient
- February 20 - Plant Tolerances to Weather Extremes
- February 27 - Balancing Fire Resistance, Wildlife Habitat, and Water Conservation Goals
- March 6 - Gardening for Amphibians
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Click the picture to view. | |
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Blue Bags Are Back In Stock- Pick Up In The Visitor Center
We Raised $1,938.70 in 2024-THANK YOU!
In 2023 we raised $1,783.90
Annual Goal for 2025 is $2,500.00
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Do you have lots of bottles and cans that accumulated over the holidays- Stop by the Visitor Center and grab some Bottle Deposit Donation Bags- fill them up and drop them off at the collection site- Your donation goes to support the Friends of the Refuge. Help us meet our new 2025 goal of $2,500 this year! | |
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An important notice from Oregon Bottle Drop about donations for the Friends program. Here's the key takeaway:
- Donations must be placed in the blue bags provided by the Friends, not in trash bags with a Friends' sticker.
- Remove any unrelated items (including trash) from the blue bag before drop-off to ensure your donation is counted.
Donate your cans and bottles to the Friends!
1. Stop by the Visitor Center and pick up Blue Bottle Drop Bags
2. Fill the bags up with cans- (only fill halfway if donating glass)
3. Drop off at your nearest Donation site
4. No need to wait in line- there is a drop off door just for you!
If you have your own Bottle Drop account you can also donate directly to The Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge from your account.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure the success of the Friends program and Oregon Bottle Drop's participation in it.
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Calling All Photographers
By Phyllis Millan
Let’s share the beauty of TRNWRC and other wild places through your pictures. Submit via email to:
FriendsPhoto@FriendsOfTualatinRefuge.org
Include your name, where the picture was taken, and any pertinent information.
Photo credit: Roger Williams
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The Friends are dedicated to the restoration of this special place and providing outreach to the community so that they too can enjoy and protect Tualatin River NWRC. Please consider making an online donation here, so we can continue to provide these opportunities.
Bonnie
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This Week at Interior | January 15, 2025
This Term at Interior: During the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior has made unprecedented progress for our shared lands, waters, wildlife and the communities they sustain. Together, we have taken bold action, in collaboration with Tribal Nations, states, territories, local communities, private landowners, fishers, outdoor enthusiasts, environmental justice advocates and other important partners across the nation.
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Friends of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex
19255 SW Pacific Hwy Sherwood, Oregon 97140
503.625.5944 x 15227
www.FriendsofTualatinRefuge.org
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