The
Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, a dynamic and
dedicated Refuge Friends organization, has been awarded the
prestigious 2024 Molly Krival Award – Refuge Friends Group of the
Year. This honor recognizes their outstanding contributions to
community engagement and conservation at Hackmatack National Wildlife
Refuge (fws.gov/refuge/hackmatack),
which spans Illinois and Wisconsin.
“The
Friends of Hackmatack have truly embodied the spirit of community
conservation, transforming vision into reality through tireless
volunteer efforts and strong local partnerships,” says Geoffrey L.
Haskett, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. Their
grassroots efforts and advocacy led to the creation of Hackmatack
National Wildlife Refuge, providing a sanctuary for diverse wildlife
and a place for community members to connect with nature.
Notable
achievements of this group include hosting popular events like World
Migratory Bird Day and Monarch Family Fun Fair, securing significant
grants for restoration projects, collaborating through partnerships
and advocacy, and leading educational and outreach programs. Their
leadership efforts have greatly supported habitat restoration and
fostered strong community relationships.
Friends
of Hackmatack will be recognized for their achievements on September
18 at the 2024 Wildlife Refuge Awards in Washington, D.C. They will
be honored alongside other heroes of the National Wildlife Refuge
System.
For
more information, visit RefugeAssociation.org/awards. For more
information about Refuge Friends groups, visit RefugeAssociation.org/friends. For more information about the Friends
of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, visit https://hackmatacknwr.org/.
