Our Environmental Ethic
Approved April 2009
As a member of the Friends group, I will promote the conservation mission of the refuges and the national wildlife refuge system by:
- Proudly communicating to the public the importance of this mission and the value of our refuges and the national refuge system
- Modeling appropriate behavior that minimizes human impact while in the refuges
- Without confrontations, monitoring public use of the refuges to help insure proper visitation and enjoyment
- Respecting the diversity of legitimate usages of the refuges that include hunting, fishing, birding, hiking, biking, and kayaking/canoeing, to identify a few
- Leaving archeological sites undisturbed
- Refraining from collecting flowers, plants, fossils, or artifacts
- Enjoying the wildlife in their natural setting without feeding or molesting
- Leaving no trash behind
- Providing input and feedback to the refuge staff
- Being careful to represent or promote only activities that are endorsed by the friends board and refuge management
- Understanding and obeying the laws/rules governing the use of the refuges