HISTORY

Friends . . . know your history.

How it began . . .
Creating the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge wasn’t an overnight task. In 1987, discussion began about the need for a National Wildlife Refuge in Western Kentucky. Identification of three possible sites was made in 1989 through cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). Two years later, in 1991, two sites were added to the list; one was the Clarks River area in McCracken, Marshall, and Graves counties. After careful evaluation of all five sites, the Clarks River area was identified as the best possible choice.

The Clarks River area was chosen for various reasons:
 R     it had a natural bottomland hardwood wetland ecosystem, including
          native fish, wildlife, and plants;
 R     it provided habitat for breeding, wintering, and migration of many
          categories and species of birds;
 R     it had a natural river, creeks, beaver ponds, natural ponds, bottomland
          hardwood areas which flooded seasonally, and emergent marshes;
 R     it was the only river in Western Kentucky not negatively impacted by
          channelization;
 R     it created another link in a chain of habitats for waterfowl and migratory
          birds;
 R     it was a great area for environmental education, interpretation, and
          wildlife-oriented recreation in an area already interested in tourism;
 R     Kentucky was the only state that didn’t have a National Wildlife Refuge
          totally within its boundaries;
 R     the public and Congress supported the choice. 

Although it took a few years, the refuge sprang to life on June 19, 1997, under the “Emergency Wetland Resources Act of 1986,” making it one of the newest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System! For more information on the creation of the refuge, just visit these websites:
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/clarksriver/ http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=42622.

Look how far it’s come . . .
Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge now encompasses approximately 8,500 acres of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-owned land. Land is never condemned; no “law of eminent domain” is enforced. Instead, willing sellers offer their land for purchase to increase the size of the refuge. The area approved for purchase is actually 18,000 acres, so property is acquired as landowners are willing to sell.

What had been a neglected area of Western Kentucky has become a utopia for hunters and fishermen and an out-of-the-ordinary educational experience for students. And then came the Friends . . .

And then there were Friends . . .
Who do you call when you need help? Your friends, of course! The Friends groups grew out of necessity. Budget cuts, staffing shortages, and an overabundance of work have always plagued refuges. Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge is no exception. 

The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) has always been fortunate to have people willing to volunteer their time to assist their local refuges in meeting the goals and missions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These volunteers’ contributions to wildlife conservation have been immeasurable. Refuge volunteers are no longer referred to as volunteers but instead they are referred to as friends. A friend helps out when you need them; they’re always there for you. That is exactly what refuges around the nation are happily experiencing more and more since the NWRS developed the Friends of National Wildlife Refuges program in 1996. Most all of the nation’s 544 refuges now have the luxury of having friends united in “Association” to provide assistance in all aspects of refuge management. In 1999, Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge (CRNWR) started its own Friends Association when they asked a few unique, talented, conservation-minded individuals to begin a support association called THE FRIENDS OF THE CLARKS RIVER NWR. For information on other  Friends groups, visit this website:
http://www.refugenet.org/new-friends-connect/Affiliate.html. 

Thankfully, no two friends are alike – that’s what makes organizations strong and productive. One person’s weakness may be another person’s strength. The CRNWR Friends Association is strengthened each time new Friends sign on. Everyone has something to contribute. Working with the Friends group allows you to work with people from various backgrounds and interests. However, a common interest shared by all will be the desire to conserve wildlife and their habitats and promote community opportunity in the out-of-doors. 

The Friends Association works closely with refuge staff to understand the issues of the day as well as the refuge needs. These needs are prioritized and addressed by applying the unique resources and talents of Friends members. By banding together, refuge support groups have raised millions of dollars in support of wildlife conservation and their local refuges. These funds have been used to enhance, restore, and protect wildlife habitat, provide wildlife-related recreational opportunities for local communities, and educate people of all ages to respectfully enjoy the treasures of nature. 

Friends groups give back to their members far more than they take in feelings of accomplishment and time well spent. The dollars they generate through grants, donations, sponsorships, and fundraisers, and the volunteer work they provide help refuges when other funding or manpower isn’t available. They “fill the gap” and provide avenues for good things to continue to happen – just like a Friend should. 

Joining Friends of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge gives you an opportunity to help link the public – others just like you – to the refuge in order to promote awareness and a deeper understanding of the refuge goals and our roles as stewards of our world. Come join us and see the difference Friends can make!