U.S. Sen. Patty Murray toured the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge’s new Community Nature Center on Thursday, Oct. 8.
The center opened May 3 with classrooms, meeting spaces, interpretive exhibits and visitor information, as well as access to nearby trails.
“As the city of Ridgefield continues to grow, the new Community Nature Center will be a valuable way to preserve the community’s connection to nature,” Murray said in a press release from her office. “This project is the product of decades of work by local, state and Tribal partners to make sure we are not just preserving the natural beauty of our state, but that we’re making it more accessible to everyone.”
In February 2021, Murray, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and then-U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler urged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to maintain funding for the center after it was removed from the agency’s five-year plan. In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the refuge’s role in supporting the local economy, noting that visitors benefit nearby restaurants and retail businesses. They said the center could attract more visitors and provide a needed boost to regional businesses.
The Nature Center is located at 28908 NW Main Ave. in Ridgefield. For upcoming workshops and opportunities to visit, check the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s events page at shorturl.at/OMhkD. To learn more about the center, visit ridgefieldfriends.org/community-nature-center.
