At some point, at least ten years ago, Friends of Malheur NWR solicited birders
to join, so l did. I'm of the impression that these groups are a way of private
citizens raising money for various government properties that aren't allowed to
do their own fund raising. Similar groups are friendly with places besides
NWRs. I suspect this is often a more efficient way of donating money.
Large national conservation groups sometimes use 70% or more of their revenue
for administrative costs. What is rent for office space in NYC? How about
paying $500,000 for a new logo? Not only does close to 100% of your donation go
to actual conservation, but you can be site specific. I was struck by the
abundance of non-birders in these Friends of NWR groups. Easily 95% , based on
my experience at a weekend get together at HMSC where employees from the entire
western division of NWR system came and met a host of members in these
voluntary associations. This is not a criticism, just an observation that l
hope others will find salient. I had been frequenting NWRs for fifty years as a
birder, and assumed everyone else there was doing the same thing. But we are
easily outnumbered 10 to 1.Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: Margaret Stephens <mlstep@xxxxxxx>
Date: 1/10/22 12:11 PM (GMT-08:00) To: boo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [boo]
January 12 - NWR Association Friends call
What do you all think of this organization?
There is a quarterly call coming up on Wednesday.
https://www.refugeassociation.org/refuge-friends-events/2022/1/12/refuge-friends-webinar-quarterly-call
Refuge Friends Webinar— Quarterly Call — The
National Wildlife Refuge Association
Join the National Wildlife Refuge Association for our Refuge Friends Quarterly
Calls! Presenter: Caroline Brouwer , Vice President of Government Affairs at
the National Wildlife Refuge Association. Sign Up Here!
www.refugeassociation.org
