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.