Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler praised the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) this week as the service designated $5.25 million towards the building of a new community and nature center in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
The center will replace the office trailer and current four buildings with a single, multi-purpose building that officials believe will better serve the 160,000 visitors the refuge sees each year. The building will include parking and roadway access to the refuge.
“Today, Ridgefield residents, and all of us who live nearby and love experiencing nature can celebrate this milestone toward making the new Community and Nature Center a reality,” Herrera Beutler said in a press release. “I have no doubt this new center will improve the public’s experience when they come here to discover the wildlife and native culture of this beautiful region.”
Ridgefield Mayor Don Stose gave thanks to Herrera Beutler and Sen. Patty Murray on their efforts for bringing the center to fruition.
“Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of hard work and commitment by the City of Ridgefield, Friends of the Refuge, and countless others in the community. We are all truly excited for a world-class Community and Nature Center to appropriately welcome people to the natural beauty of Ridgefield’s National Wildlife Refuge,” Stose said.
