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Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - 1/2 Day

Day Work Party

Sat Mar 7, 2026: 9:00 AM — 12:00 PM

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Region

Southwest — Vancouver Area

Crew Leader: Janeen Licatovich

One of the 400 year old oak trees in the Carty Unit -- photo by Bob and Barb

Overview

Your crew leader has recently had her hip replaced. You will help her keep it super mellow on this work party while still getting good work done to finish up a new bench and brush back vegetation. This is a great work party for folks who have been interested in trying trail work but nervous about having to commit to a full day.

About the Area

More than 5000 acres of marshes, grasslands and wooded areas are home to more than one hundred species of birds, waterfowl and fish. Two trails and a loop road provide public access to this serene area just a few miles west of I-5.

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.

Project Description

You will either use wheelbarrows to help transport and spread gravel for the finishing touches on one bench location, or use cutting tools to remove vegetation from a section of trail that is being rerouted. It will be a great day in a beautiful location!

Hiking Information

Our hike to the project site is expected to be about 1 mile roundtrip over mostly flat terrain.

Schedule

  • 9:00 AM: Be ready to meet the crew, rain or shine
  • Morning: Work at your own pace and take breaks throughout the morning
  • 12:00 PM: Enjoy refreshments at the trailhead before making your way home

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.

Planning Information

Get ready for a great day outside!

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
  • Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain
  • Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18

What to Wear

Required:

  • Sturdy closed-toe shoes
  • Work gloves
  • Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or safety glasses)
  • Long pants

Recommended:

  • Sturdy work or hiking boots
  • Long sleeved shirt

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by WTA if you do not have your own, but when possible we recommend bringing your own. For safety reasons, certain tasks may be assigned based on the safety level of your footwear. Volunteers who do not have long pants, or sturdy closed toes shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party.

What to Bring


  • Lunch and plenty of water
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
  • A pack to carry your personal gear
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

More Information

From the Hiking Guide

See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.

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Partners

Directions

Please follow these directions to the Cathlapotle Plankhouse (Carty Unit) of Ridgefield (if you just put "Ridgefield" into your GPS, it may take you to a different place.)


From I-5, take Exit 14 west on Pioneer Street toward the town of Ridgefield. At the third traffic circle, Royle Rd, take a right. After 1 mile, turn left onto NW 289th St (this is easy to miss--pay attention). At a T intersection after 1.5 miles, take a right onto NW 61st Ave, which will curve left and turn into NW 291st St. After about .7 miles, the entrance to Ridgefield will be on your right. Turn in and head straight, parking near the restroom.

Note: Please follow the written directions above instead of using a GPS device. This will ensure that you get to the correct meeting location for this work party. The location of the pinpoint below is only approximate.

Getting to WTA work parties can involve travel on rough, unpaved roads in areas without cellular service and without street addresses that can be accurately used by navigation devices. Unless specifically noted otherwise, routes can generally be traveled by all types of vehicles. Volunteers with limited experience driving on unpaved mountain roads may want to allow extra time, beyond what is recommended in the directions above, to get to the meeting location.

Required Documentation

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