Debbie Meeks Selected for Friends Academy

President Debbie Meeks presenting at the 2022 Friends Annual Meeting

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service selected Friends president Debbie Meeks to be one of the 25 participants in the Friends Academy.

Friends Academy is an advanced training program for board members of Friends organizations. Its goals are to provide a broad understanding of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and to enhance the effectiveness of the partnerships between Friends and their Refuges.

Members of the boards of directors of the more than 250 Friends groups supporting the 567 refuges nationwide were invited to apply for the week-long training program which takes place at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV. It is a very nice venue.

The organizers of the Academy are particularly eager to hear what Debbie has to share about our use of IT for membership databases and developing of our trail guides, butterfly guidebook, and digital brochures. Among other things, Debbie is eager to learn what others have to share about development of a Visitor Center. It should be a great week!