About Us

The Friends of the Erie National Wildlife Refuge is an organization of concerned citizens who appreciate the Refuge’s efforts to protect and improve the natural habitat needed for the wide variety of plants and animals that populate the Refuge grounds as well as providing public recreation and environmental education opportunities. The group’s membership has recognized that the Refuge needs the help and support of good friends and neighbors in order to continue these services for generations to come.

Established January 19, 2006, the Friends group is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mission and purposes of the Erie National Wildlife Refuge. We provide many vital services to the Refuge such as community outreach, education programs, habitat restoration, special events support, volunteer staff, advocacy and fund raising.

Mission and Goals Statement

The purpose of the Friends of Erie National Wildlife Refuge is to promote conservation, awareness, and appreciation of the Erie National Wildlife Refuge and to provide assistance to Refuge programs.

The Friends' goals are

1. to increase awareness of the refuge and its mission,
2. to generate and then allocate funds to support the refuge,
3. to support refuge programs and projects, and
4. to advocate for the refuge locally, state-wide, and nationally.