Ways to Get Involved
The refuge works with partners to offer opportunities to get involved in conservation both on-site and in the surrounding communities. Volunteer opportunities are project-based and get added throughout the year, so check back here often to see if something new offered aligns with your interests.
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities change throughout the seasons and are often different from year to year. To give the best service to community members dedicating their valuable time, staff take care to engage with volunteers in an intentional and quality way. This sometimes means we are not able to take on additional volunteers while we work on supporting current projects. We appreciate your patience and encourage you to work with other local community organizations if we are not able to offer you an opportunity. Check back here often for updates.
See the following volunteer categories and how to get involved in a way that matches your skills and interests.
Many of the following opportunities are for all ages. Anyone under 18 must have a parent/guardian sign volunteer paperwork. Anyone under 16 must volunteer with an adult.
For additional questions about the program you can email: RidgefieldVolunteer@fws.gov
Currently Recruiting for the following!
Refuge Enhancers
Improve habitat to enhance wildlife health and the visitor experience.
- Remove invasive plants
- Maintain trails and facilities
- Maintain native plantings
Join us on the following dates to help with refuge enhancement:
Ridgefield NWR:
Friday July 19th 9 am to 12 pm - Limit 15 people. RSVP Required. To sign up email Ridgefieldeducation@fws.gov with "Flora Friday July 19th" in the subject line. Please include a phone number.
Steigerwald NWR:
- Meeting most Mondays. RSVP Required. For more information and to sign up email Ridgefieldeducation@fws.gov with "Steigerwald Lake" in the subject line. Please include a phone number.
Opportunities Coming Soon!
We will be recruiting for the following opportunities soon.
Put in a volunteer inquiry here to get on the list for information when these become available.
Refuge Office Supporters
Help provide a welcoming face and voice to those visiting the refuge or calling the administrative office in Ridgefield
- Provide customer service at the front desk
- Answer phone and return messages
- Help with misc. office tasks
- Sell entrance passes
Refuge Ambassadors
Welcome visitors and support communities in learning about nature exploration at the Refuge and in their backyards.
- Engage visitors at the Visitor Contact Station on the Auto Tour Route at Ridgefield NWR
Staff community events close to any four of your local refuges in this Complex
Not currently being offered but keep a look out...
The following are opportunities we hope to have capacity to support volunteers to do in the future.
Keep a look out on this website or fill out the volunteer inquiry form and we will let you know when these become available.
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
- Assist with school field trips
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
Our Partners
National wildlife refuges are often small pieces of broad landscapes, but the Refuge System commitment and vision are not small. To be effective in confronting the challenges posed by climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change , invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species , habitat fragmentation and development, the Refuge System must look beyond refuge boundaries to work and plan with multiple partners.
Education Programs
Visit the Refuge
We welcome education groups of all ages to visit the Refuge to expand in-class lessons and provide an immersive learning experience. If you are interested in bringing a group out, please contact the Refuge so we can work together to provide the best trip for your group and secure the bus parking space for you, if needed.
For more on visiting the Refuge this spring and summer, visit our Education Programs Page.