Meet the Friends of Tamarac
OUR STORY
Established nearly 30 years ago this nonprofit group comprises an active 10-15 member board and over 300 members. The Friends sponsor educational programs and events, build observation platforms and pathways, generate thousands of grant dollars for water quality and habitat projects, and so much more. We advocate for wildlife refuges and are passionate about protecting wild places for generations. The volunteers of Tamarac donated over 8,000 hours of service just last year.
Calendar of Events
Volunteers, Fundraisers, Education & More!
The Discovery Center
In 2014, the Friends of Tamarac completed a most impressive capital campaign to construct a Discovery Center, which was donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in June 2015. This 2,000-square-foot, $800,000 sustainable building is the hub for the refuge's environmental education programs, citizen science training, and conservation planning.
The beautiful building showcases sustainability and energy conservation from the roof to the floor, and the walls, windows, water, and bathrooms in between.
FRIENDS IN ACTION
Make a Difference
BE PART OF SOMETHING "WILD": JOIN US!
Members are as involved as they want to be. Some of our members are active volunteers, others only attend specific activities they are interested in. Many hunt and fish on the refuge or take advantage of the hiking trails. A number of our members live nearby, while other members live hundreds, even thousands, of miles away. As a member, you will be invited to Friends activities such as the Fall Festival, the Festival of Birds, and A Toast to Tamarac. Members receive 10% off on purchases at the Tamarac Wildlife Gifts and Bookstore. Join Friends of Tamarac at a level that suits you best: Annual Membership Individual/Family: $35 Patron: $100 Steward: $250 Life Member: $500 Friends' educational activities, mailings, and programs in support of the Refuge are funded by membership dues and donations. We can’t do it without the help of people like you. Friends provide funding and volunteers for programs like: Every year hundreds of elementary school children come to Tamarac for a day of environmental education activities led by Friends volunteers. The classes visit in the fall, winter, and spring. Many children enjoy their day at Tamarac so much that they bring their parents back for the Fall Festival, another Friends activity. All Fall Festival activities, except the lunch, are free of charge and funded by donations to Friends. Have you ever wanted to know the names of the wildlife, wildflowers, trees, and plants in the woods? Friends volunteers lead interpretive naturalist programs through the woods and in formal programs where they teach about nature on the refuge. Interested in photography? Another Friends volunteer conducts photography excursions through the refuge. The Friends support the Festival of Birds, which brings hundreds of people from throughout the nation to our area every spring.