Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

Central Wisconsin (WFHR, WIRI, WXCO) – Friends of Necedah National Wildlife Refuge sent out an emergency letter at the end of February issuing a call to action. These volunteers are writing to representatives expressing the importance of the Refuge, not only to our wildlife and water quality, but also to our local economy.

Deb Biechler is the Vice President of the Friends of Necedah Wildlife Refuge and an active volunteer. She said in addition to the Friends of NNWR writing to Wisconsin Representatives, they’re asking the public for help as well. “Nature can’t speak for itself, so it needs people to speak for it.” Biechler said the Refuge is bare-bones already in terms of operating budget.

What’s Happening

When federal funds were frozen, credit cards were suspended. That impacted the staff’s ability to function and operate the refuge. No staff have been cut because of the executive actions, currently. However, staffing cuts over previous years already affects the hours they are open and services offered. They only have one visitor services employee, so the Visitor Center is only open during the week Tuesday-Thursday until May 1st. After that date, it will be open Monday-Friday 9AM – 3PM for the summer season. The trails and grounds are available to visitors on the weekends from sunrise to sunset, but the Visitor Center is closed. This includes the Friends of NNWR gift shop. Every penny spent in the gift shop goes back into the Refuge.

How You Can Help

The Friends of NNWR are asking people to write letters telling their stories about the Refuge. “Whether you’re a Friends member or not just someone who casually comes and hunts, or fishes, or hikes, or whatever, creates art out at the refuge, we’d like to hear your stories.” You can submit your stories on the Friends of NNWR website. If you’d like to submit a longer story or send pictures, you can email them at [email protected]

NNWR Benefits

The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge welcomes more than 130-thousand visitors each year, bringing tourism dollars to the area and surrounding counties. Many school and scout groups visit for field trips and environmental education and Veterans come to hunt and fish with handicap accessibility support. The Refuge staff also monitor and adjust water levels to prevent downstream flooding. The work they do helps maintain healthy habitats for wildlife and support threatened and endangered species. The Refuge plays a large role in fire management in central Wisconsin.