Ann Graziano came for the free dinner and stayed for almost 16 years! When asked what prompted her to attend the kickoff meeting of what would become the Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends, Ann replied, “Well, there was a free dinner.” It was mostly curiosity that drove Ann and her and husband Frank to attend the first organizational meeting of the Friends in August 2004. Back then, the Refuge was little known or understood. What began as curiosity, and a free dinner, evolved into a 15+ year run as President of the Friends and ardent support for the Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Ann’s dedication should come as no surprise when considering her background: decades working in the human resources field, serving for 15 years with Northern Neck Hospice Services training volunteers and serving as board member and president, and above all, being a loving wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother.
In the beginning as Ann recalls, “We were a small group back then, only 14 members, but the Board [4 officers, 3 board members] was really dedicated and took on a lot. I mostly did administrative stuff.” One major example that Ann mentioned was the completion of the paperwork necessary to become a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which Treasurer (and husband) Frank Graziano deftly handled. Board member Bill Swift took on the first Friends’ volunteer project, building the informational kiosk at Wilna Pond, which still stands today. But Ann did more than “administrative stuff.” For example, she attended presentations that I, as the then Refuge Manager, gave to local groups like the Rotary Club and the Ruritans so she could learn more about the Refuge and thereby become a more effective advocate. Her leadership was ever present in the realm of advocacy, frequently reminding her fellow Friends that their sole reason for being was to support the Refuge and the Refuge System.
So, after 15+ years, and over 3,500 volunteer hours, what stands out? “It’s been really special to watch [the Friends] grow from 14 to over 400 members,” recalled Ann. “It’s been cohesive, friendly, project-oriented, with people who like to put their hands in the soil. It makes you appreciate mankind.” The projects have been many. When you visit the refuge, nearly everything you see has benefitted from the hand of a Friend: trails, kiosks, signs, benches, osprey nesting platforms, observation blinds, and even the habitats. Ann specifically mentioned the massive cleanup that ensued after an EF-3 tornado ripped through the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck in 2016, uprooting hundreds of trees at the Hutchinson Tract and destroying signs and viewing platforms. Under Ann’s leadership, the Friends responded immediately, clearing trails and rebuilding damaged facilities. Ann is also proud of the Friends’ role in advocacy, citing Bill’s testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee in May 2010, in support of the National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Improvement Act, which soon became law. Said Ann, “Bill’s testimony to Congress stands out for me [as a highlight]. I was so proud that our group was able to make that kind of impact.” Another accomplishment is the percent of Friends members who are also volunteers. The rate nationally for non-profit organizations is about 10% of members who also volunteer. Under Ann’s leadership, the Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends has always hit between 15 and 20% of members that volunteer.
For Ann, the annual Go Wild event at the Hutchinson Tract is memorable mainly because it is the biggest and most complex to organize. “It is such a successful event, even the vendors have a good time,” said Ann. And then there is Kids Fishing Day. It has always been a favorite of the Friends and staff, and of course the kids. “It’s so special to see a kid catch his or her first fish,” said Ann.
Some of Ann’s most cherished events were the intimate trips for Friends members only that were both a reward of sorts for all the effort given, but also a time to bond with like-minded individuals over a common cause. Ann remembers a picnic at Board member Alex Long’s house in Port Royal, where Friends joined hands around a willow oak that is 27 feet in circumference! And she recalls the time then Deputy Refuge Manager Merry Maxwell led an interpretive tour that caravanned to the Mothershead and Toby’s Point tracts, where Friends learned about the history and wildlife values of these properties that are not open on a daily basis. Ann was wistful as she recalled these “small but lasting memories.”
Though this article is a tribute to Ann, I would be remiss if I did not give a nod to husband Frank. Frank served as the Friends’ Treasurer from 2004 to 2019, and was a key player in too many projects and events to mention. Frank and Ann, Ann and Frank, either way they are a team. For 15 years, they were the yin and yang of the Friends. They got the job done.
Any parting remarks, President Graziano? “This was the best job I’ve ever had,” said Ann. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s been a privilege to lead this group, and Steve is the right one to take us forward.” Note that she said “us.” That’s because Ann is staying on as a Board member, and we are grateful for her willingness to continue lending us her guidance and wisdom.
For over 15 years, Ann has been the heart and soul of the Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends. Humble, passionate, honest, kind, thoughtful, and effective, she exhibits the attributes of a true leader. THANK YOU, ANN.
Contributed by Joe McCauley
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