Give Back to the Places You Love
Give Back to the Places You Love
Immediate needs to support the Stewards:
Board Secretary - role to give notice of meetings and be responsible for preparing and retaining all minutes and records of board meetings.
Social Media Volunteer - We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and creative Social Media Volunteer to join our team and help us extend our outreach and impact through various social media platforms. As a Social Media Volunteer, you will play a crucial role in amplifying our organization's mission, events, activities, and achievements to a wider audience. Your efforts will directly contribute to inspiring others to join us in safeguarding the unique natural resources of the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Responsibilities: Develop and execute a social media content calendar in alignment with Gorge Refuge Stewards' goals and initiatives. Create engaging and informative content for Facebook, Instagram, and potentially TikTok, including posts, stories, images, videos, and more. Monitor social media platforms for comments, messages, and interactions, responding in a timely and respectful manner. Collaborate with the communications team to brainstorm and implement social media campaigns to raise awareness about the refuge, conservation efforts, events, and volunteer opportunities. Capture and curate captivating visual content from the refuge itself, events, and other relevant sources.
Empowering Change: Join the Gorge Refuge Stewards Board
In an era marked by mounting environmental challenges, the need for collective action to protect and preserve our natural world has never been more pressing. As humanity navigates the intricate interplay between development and conservation, the Gorge Refuge Stewards stand as champions for conservation. Founded with the goal of connecting communities to the region's invaluable National Wildlife Refuges in the Columbia River Gorge, the Stewards invite individuals to step forward and join our board to actively contribute to a sustainable future.
Our Mission
We have made it our mission to not only protect and restore natural habitats but also to weave an unbreakable bond between the community and these vital ecosystems. Our commitment, as outlined in our mission statement, encompasses partnership, public education, advocacy, and habitat restoration. By working collaboratively with various stakeholders, we ensure that the values of conservation, education, and accessibility are upheld while fostering a deep sense of appreciation for the natural world.
Board's Vital Role
At the heart of any successful nonprofit lies a dedicated board of individuals who steer the organization toward its goals. For us, board members play a pivotal role in the realization of our vision. A key aspect of this involvement lies in fundraising – a means to finance vital habitat restoration projects, accessibility initiatives, youth engagement programs, and enhancements that transform trailheads into immersive gateways to nature.
Board members are entrusted with advocating for the organization's mission, attracting resources, and guiding strategic decisions that shape the path ahead. Their diverse skill sets, experience, and perspectives come together to create a well-rounded team that can effectively lead and support the multifaceted endeavors of the Gorge Refuge Stewards.
Values That Guide
Beyond conservation, we value diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We seek diverse voices that align with our commitment to breaking down barriers to nature connection and fostering community connections.
Answering the Call: Joining the Board
For those drawn to the Gorge Refuge Stewards' mission, an invitation awaits. If you share our passion for preserving nature, fostering community engagement, and creating a more inclusive world, joining the board offers an unparalleled opportunity. By dedicating your time, energy, and expertise, you contribute not only to the organization's growth but to the betterment of the environment and society as a whole.
Prospective board members are encouraged to reach out to the Gorge Refuge Stewards via email at contact@refugestewards.org. This direct line of communication enables interested individuals to connect with current board members, engage in meaningful conversations, and gain deeper insights into the organization's objectives and values.
A Future Rooted in Collaboration
The Gorge Refuge Stewards' call for board members underscores the collective responsibility we share in safeguarding our natural heritage. By transcending the role of passive observers and stepping into the realm of active participants, individuals can contribute to shaping a more sustainable and harmonious world. As we navigate the complexities of environmental conservation, community engagement, and social justice, the Gorge Refuge Stewards illuminate a path forward – one that invites us all to embrace the call of nature and work together for a brighter future.
Volunteers that support the Refuge are managed by the Refuge Staff with the Fish and Wildlife Service. Below are some of the opportunities that are offered on and off Refuge. More information and ways to sign up can be found at the Steigerwald website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/steigerwald-lake/get-involved
Refuge Ambassadors
Welcome visitors and support communities in learning about nature exploration at the Refuge and in their backyards.
Engage visitors on trails and at our facilities
Lead guided walks
Lead on-site programs
Staff events in the community
Assist with school field trips
Refuge Enhancers
Improve habitat to enhance wildlife health and the visitor experience.
Remove invasive plants
Maintain plantings
Maintain trails and facilities
Tend plants in greenhouse
Refuge Communicators
Help share the stories and conservation work of the refuge and our partners
Write educational articles and curriculum
Create content for social media
Take photos of refuge programs and visitor uses
Post flyers for refuge events in the community
Refuge Office Supporters
Help provide a welcoming face and voice to those visiting the refuge or calling the office.
Provide customer service at the front desk
Answer phone and return messages
Help with misc. office tasks
Sell entrance passes
Become a Community Scientist: Would you like to turn your love of wildlife and the outdoors into data that helps us all better understand our natural world and supports conservation? Do you like technology? There are several Citizen Science programs where you can make a difference. Check out these projects and put your smarts and smartphone to use!
Nature's Notebook This nationwide project is an national online project where amateur and professional naturalists record observations of plants and animals to generate long-term data sets used for scientific discovery and decision making.
iNaturalist Learn more about nature and contribute to a database of global biodiversity by becoming part of the iNaturalist community. You can even crowdsource a plant or animal identification! We have held 2 Eco-Blitzs at Steigerwald where we documented all the species we could on the Refuge in one day and documented it here on iNaturalist.
eBird This is a program managed by the Cornell Lab for Ornithology collects rich data on bird abundance and distribution across the world. You can submit your own observations via your computer or smart phone. You can view current species sightings of wherever you are birding which is very handy if you are new to an area. Here is a link to the Steigerwald Lake NWR Hotspot.
The Great BackYard Bird Count (GBC) is an event that engages people all over the nation in creating a real time snapshot of bird populations. Anyone can help with this, from your backyard, or a wildlife refuge.
Report sightings of invasive species using a free app on your smartphone. More details and links to download on the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
Immediate needs to support the Stewards:
Board Secretary - role to give notice of meetings and be responsible for preparing and retaining all minutes and records of board meetings.
Social Media Volunteer - We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and creative Social Media Volunteer to join our team and help us extend our outreach and impact through various social media platforms. As a Social Media Volunteer, you will play a crucial role in amplifying our organization's mission, events, activities, and achievements to a wider audience. Your efforts will directly contribute to inspiring others to join us in safeguarding the unique natural resources of the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Responsibilities: Develop and execute a social media content calendar in alignment with Gorge Refuge Stewards' goals and initiatives. Create engaging and informative content for Facebook, Instagram, and potentially TikTok, including posts, stories, images, videos, and more. Monitor social media platforms for comments, messages, and interactions, responding in a timely and respectful manner. Collaborate with the communications team to brainstorm and implement social media campaigns to raise awareness about the refuge, conservation efforts, events, and volunteer opportunities. Capture and curate captivating visual content from the refuge itself, events, and other relevant sources.
Empowering Change: Join the Gorge Refuge Stewards Board
In an era marked by mounting environmental challenges, the need for collective action to protect and preserve our natural world has never been more pressing. As humanity navigates the intricate interplay between development and conservation, the Gorge Refuge Stewards stand as champions for conservation. Founded with the goal of connecting communities to the region's invaluable National Wildlife Refuges in the Columbia River Gorge, the Stewards invite individuals to step forward and join our board to actively contribute to a sustainable future.
Our Mission
We have made it our mission to not only protect and restore natural habitats but also to weave an unbreakable bond between the community and these vital ecosystems. Our commitment, as outlined in our mission statement, encompasses partnership, public education, advocacy, and habitat restoration. By working collaboratively with various stakeholders, we ensure that the values of conservation, education, and accessibility are upheld while fostering a deep sense of appreciation for the natural world.
Board's Vital Role
At the heart of any successful nonprofit lies a dedicated board of individuals who steer the organization toward its goals. For us, board members play a pivotal role in the realization of our vision. A key aspect of this involvement lies in fundraising – a means to finance vital habitat restoration projects, accessibility initiatives, youth engagement programs, and enhancements that transform trailheads into immersive gateways to nature.
Board members are entrusted with advocating for the organization's mission, attracting resources, and guiding strategic decisions that shape the path ahead. Their diverse skill sets, experience, and perspectives come together to create a well-rounded team that can effectively lead and support the multifaceted endeavors of the Gorge Refuge Stewards.
Values That Guide
Beyond conservation, we value diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We seek diverse voices that align with our commitment to breaking down barriers to nature connection and fostering community connections.
Answering the Call: Joining the Board
For those drawn to the Gorge Refuge Stewards' mission, an invitation awaits. If you share our passion for preserving nature, fostering community engagement, and creating a more inclusive world, joining the board offers an unparalleled opportunity. By dedicating your time, energy, and expertise, you contribute not only to the organization's growth but to the betterment of the environment and society as a whole.
Prospective board members are encouraged to reach out to the Gorge Refuge Stewards via email at contact@refugestewards.org. This direct line of communication enables interested individuals to connect with current board members, engage in meaningful conversations, and gain deeper insights into the organization's objectives and values.
A Future Rooted in Collaboration
The Gorge Refuge Stewards' call for board members underscores the collective responsibility we share in safeguarding our natural heritage. By transcending the role of passive observers and stepping into the realm of active participants, individuals can contribute to shaping a more sustainable and harmonious world. As we navigate the complexities of environmental conservation, community engagement, and social justice, the Gorge Refuge Stewards illuminate a path forward – one that invites us all to embrace the call of nature and work together for a brighter future.
Volunteers that support the Refuge are managed by the Refuge Staff with the Fish and Wildlife Service. Below are some of the opportunities that are offered on and off Refuge. More information and ways to sign up can be found at the Steigerwald website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/steigerwald-lake/get-involved
Refuge Ambassadors
Welcome visitors and support communities in learning about nature exploration at the Refuge and in their backyards.
Engage visitors on trails and at our facilities
Lead guided walks
Lead on-site programs
Staff events in the community
Assist with school field trips
Refuge Enhancers
Improve habitat to enhance wildlife health and the visitor experience.
Remove invasive plants
Maintain plantings
Maintain trails and facilities
Tend plants in greenhouse
Refuge Communicators
Help share the stories and conservation work of the refuge and our partners
Write educational articles and curriculum
Create content for social media
Take photos of refuge programs and visitor uses
Post flyers for refuge events in the community
Refuge Office Supporters
Help provide a welcoming face and voice to those visiting the refuge or calling the office.
Provide customer service at the front desk
Answer phone and return messages
Help with misc. office tasks
Sell entrance passes
Become a Community Scientist: Would you like to turn your love of wildlife and the outdoors into data that helps us all better understand our natural world and supports conservation? Do you like technology? There are several Citizen Science programs where you can make a difference. Check out these projects and put your smarts and smartphone to use!
Nature's Notebook This nationwide project is an national online project where amateur and professional naturalists record observations of plants and animals to generate long-term data sets used for scientific discovery and decision making.
iNaturalist Learn more about nature and contribute to a database of global biodiversity by becoming part of the iNaturalist community. You can even crowdsource a plant or animal identification! We have held 2 Eco-Blitzs at Steigerwald where we documented all the species we could on the Refuge in one day and documented it here on iNaturalist.
eBird This is a program managed by the Cornell Lab for Ornithology collects rich data on bird abundance and distribution across the world. You can submit your own observations via your computer or smart phone. You can view current species sightings of wherever you are birding which is very handy if you are new to an area. Here is a link to the Steigerwald Lake NWR Hotspot.
The Great BackYard Bird Count (GBC) is an event that engages people all over the nation in creating a real time snapshot of bird populations. Anyone can help with this, from your backyard, or a wildlife refuge.
Report sightings of invasive species using a free app on your smartphone. More details and links to download on the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
Donate to the Gorge Refuge Stewards