About Us
Who We Are
The RWR Friends is a 501 c 3 non-profit corporation formed in 2004. The Friends Group is made up of people with diverse backgrounds and with diverse interests. Some like to build or maintain trails, some like to work with native plant gardens, some like to participate in bird counts, and others prefer to give monetary support only. What everyone has in common is a love of the National Wildlife Refuge System and its mission to help protect our environment and, in particular, our wildlife.
What the Friends Do
- Build and maintain trails and structures like kiosks, observation platforms and fishing piers.
- Tend native plant and wildflower gardens.
- Help with events held on the Refuge such as Kid’s Fishing Days.
- Photograph wildlife.
- Mow grass and maintain the Refuge units open to the public.
- Eradicate non-native invasive species like kudzu, phragmites, and autumn olive.
- Represent the Refuge at community events and festivals.
- Recruit, train and help manage Refuge volunteers.
- Participate in citizen science projects like bird counts and wildlife surveys.
- Publish quarterly newsletters, informational notices and brochures.
- Provide monetary support to the Refuge by conducting fundraisers and applying for grants.
Our Mission Statement
Our Board
President – Steve Colangelo
Vice President – Open
Secretary – Bruce Callis
Treasurer – Charlie Lex
Heather Bedford
Tim Bradshaw
Sharon Brem
Bruce Callis
Joey Coker
Alice French
Ann Graziano
Eric Hentges
Ivy Jennings
John Jennings
Joe McCauley
Amanda Nevel
Frank Rixey
Our Advisory Board
Jim Beam
Melissa Gross
Lisa Hull
Brent Hunsinger
Kathryn Murray
Laura Weishaupt
Jeff Wright
Our Policies
Our Code of Ethics Policy
Contains broad principles reflecting the types of behavior the Friends Group expects from its members towards constituents, donors, employees, peers and the public.
Conflict of Interest
Establishes policy and procedures governing matters in which a director or officer of the Friends has a personal or financial interest.
Fracking Policy
Supports banning or severely limiting fracking throughout the Tidewater region so that sensitive environmental resources on the Refuge and elsewhere are protected.
Advocacy Policy and Procedure
States the Policy and Procedures on how the Board and its individual members manage advocacy positions for both the Friends group and as individuals.
Upcoming Events
Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends
P.O. Box 1565
Warsaw, VA 22572-1565
Contact@RWRFriends.org