Giving builds a future for the past.
I give to the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge to support their youth education programs. Through the Cathlapotle Plankhouse at the Refuge, 4,000 students are able to vist the Refuge for FREE and learn about our area's natural and cultural history. I love the Refuge because of the unique opportunities that it provides our youth. Where else can you go and see birds, endangered deer, otters playing, track beaver and raccoons, learn about edible and medicinal plants, visit an archaeological site, talk to super knowledgeable volunteers about how Chinookan Peoples took care of this place while standing in a Chinookan Plankhouse, talk to tribal members who are so excited to share their culture, and stand under 400 year old oak trees!?
Too few people today fully understand the significance that the Refuge holds, both for wildlife and for Native Peoples today. I give so that youth can come here and learn about the rich natural and cultural history of our area, develop a relationship with the place they call home, and learn lessons that they can use in their future stewardship of our region.
http://ridgefieldfriends.org/
Review from #MyGivingStory